Ah markets, how we love thee. Temporarily transforming all our very favourite sun-soaked haunts into stall-laden shopping meccas so that we can get amongst the good vibes, gather fresh provisions and snap up meticulously crafted unique creations from talented local makers.

And for our troubles? Top it all of by refuelling with a hot coffee, fresh smoothie, or the obligatory extra-large serve of Poffertjes.

There’s something (or many somethings…) for everyone and best of all, you’re supporting local – and isn’t that what it’s all about!

Here is a who’s who list of our fabulous local weekday, Saturday and Sunday markets here on our beloved Gold Coast.

The Village Markets
An award-winning platform for small creative businesses, The Village Markets host curated markets encouraging collaboration, creativity and good vibes. With clothing from the coolest designers, jewellery and accessories, homewares, rack sales and amazing food, these curated lifestyle markets are run like a well-oiled machine.

After 16 years TVM have announced the Gold Coast icon will no longer trade at Burleigh Heads State School but will be popping up with a series of events at Robina Town Centre as well as hosting Pop-up Rack Sales around the Gold Coast.
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina
When: Check their instagram for the latest

HOTA Farmers & Artisan Markets
The stunning HOTA grounds offer an equally picturesque and conveniently central spot to convene and soak up some #sundayfunday good vibes and a whole lot of local goodies. Thanks to a little transformation into vibrant (literally and figuratively) cultural hub, the Bundall site is also home to a hotted up weekly market offering which has become one of the Gold Coast’s numero ono community events.

They’re passionate about local farmers, makers, bakers and growers, with in-season farm-fresh produce, delicious artisan foods, boutique fashion, handcrafted treasures and live music. Nestled against the backdrop of Evendale Lake and the surrounding parklands, the kids can take a dip while you sit back and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere (read: eat fresh pastries and sip hot coffee). Bliss!
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: Every Sunday 6am – 11.30am

Farmers Markets
There are options aplenty when it comes to farmers markets around the Coast to source your fruit, veggies, locally made goods, plants and of course, brekky and caffeine. Supporting local farmers with both organic and conventional produce, you’ll get the feel-good factor as well as the taste-good factor! A ritual for many locals on weekends, it sure beats hitting the mainstream grocery retailers. Plus, the best thing is, you’re spoilt for choice with a number of different locations to hit up.
Where & When: Helensvale State High School – every Saturday from 6am – 11am at 243 Discovery Drive, Helensvale; Marina Mirage Farmers Markets – every Saturday from 6.30am – 12pm at Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach; Palm Beach Currumbin High School – every Saturday morning from 6am – 11.30am at PBC, Thrower Drive, Palm Beach; Burleigh Farmers Markets – every Saturday morning from 7am – 12 noon at Burleigh Heads State School, Cnr West Burleigh Rd &, Lower Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads.

Carrara Markets
Still the biggest market in Oz, Carrara Markets house over 300 stalls. Discount shopping at its best, there is literally nothing you can’t find from fresh produce, fashion, homewares, pots, plants, bric a brac, cars, souvenirs, arts and crafts and everything in between. Perfect for the family, there’s buskers, pony rides, a baby animal farm, bungy trampolines, mini golf, face painters, and even a new walk-in Butterfly House.
Where: Gooding Drive, Carrara
When: Every Saturday and Sunday, 7am – 3pm

Emerald Lakes Gourmet Food and Craft Markets
Feeling a bit fancy? Described as a complete alfresco gourmet shopping experience with an international ambiance, head to Emerald Lakes for some of our region’s best street food and fresh produce. It’s also one of the few markets available for a mid-week meander to replenish the larder with quality essentials – with Australian seafood, grain fed and hormone free meats, free range eggs and home-baked goodies all on offer. Plus stock up on gorgeous candles, melts and a myriad of unique crafts, all handmade with love and arguably, still *somewhat* essential.. bc vibes are important too.
Where: Emerald Lakes Complex, The Boulevard, Carrara
When: Every Thursday, 3pm – 7pm

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
No prizes for guessing where these markets are located. Mere footsteps from the sand, they’ve been an iconic Gold Coast shopping and cultural experience since the mid-90s. Featuring artisan and traditional Aussie goods, fresh produce, gourmet provisions, handmade wares and more, they showcase our best growers, makers, characters and creators. When you’re done, Surfers’ melting pot of restaurants and bars are a hop, skip and a jump over the road.
Where: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
When: Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights, 4pm – 9pm

Gold Coast Art & Craft Sunday Markets
Lining the beachfront at four beautiful GC locations (Broadbeach, Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads and now Paradise Point), these markets have been a local fave for over three decades. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, souvenirs, art, craft, the ingenious or the weird and the wonderful, it’s here. A-buzz with atmosphere, there are over 150 stalls showcasing original Australian-made products, fresh produce, yummy food and live entertainment.
Where & When: Kurrawa Park – The first and third Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at 155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach; Queen Elizabeth Park – The second and fourth Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at 60 Marine Parade, Coolangatta; Justin Park – The last Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at Burleigh Heads; Esplanade North Park – The fourth Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at Paradise Point.

The Sanctuary Markets
On The Village Green at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, you’ll find these popular markets. A nod to the GC’s multi-culturalism with local and international foods plus cool arts and crafts, you’ll also be wowed by our best homegrown entertainers. The venue is fully licensed (translation: let’s wine), featuring craft beers exclusively from Burleigh Brewing Co, and vinos courtesy of Sirromet Wines.
Where: On The Village Green, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
When: Every Friday, 4pm – 9pm

The Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market 
Every Sunday morning you can get your fill of organic, spray-free fruit, veggies, ready-made eats (we’re all about easy eats), organic cosmetics, organic clothing…basically, if it’s organic and it exists, it’s here! It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny Sunday morning and load up your basket with treats that will not only make you feel good, but help the planet too!
Where: Merrimac State High School, 3 Dunlop Ct, Mermaid Waters
When: Every Sunday, 6am – 11.30am

Hide & Seek Children’s Market
Those familiar with the Hide & Seek Children’s Market from its former Elanora and Robina locations will be thrilled to learn the concept lives on thanks to a new home in Upper Coomera – with the same signature blend of unique and skilfully hand-crafted creations, all designed with parents and mini-me’s in mind.

The curation of clever local creatives and artisans brings us cute clothing, accessories, toys, décor, furnishings and more. Bop along to all-day live music, grab some bites from local food trucks and wear the kids out with a range of activities. If you love on-trend goodies, rare finds and spoiling your little loves, you won’t be disappointed.
Where: The Well, 58 Highland Way, Upper Coomera
When: Third Saturday of every month from 8am – 12pm.

Miami Marketta
There’s only one thing better than a market and that’s a vibin’ night market. The Coast’s OG laneway dining experience hosts food vendors of all nationalities in the one space, take your entrée from Spain, your main from Thailand, and sweets from France. How multicultural of you! With farshon (fashion – but we just like saying FARSHON) and accessories from local designers, these markets have cool factor for days.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
When: Every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, 5pm – 10pm

Broadwater Pavilion Markets
A newer in-stall-ment to the GC’s market scene, Southport’s open air market by the sea is quickly establishing itself as a fave among Northern residents with stacks of fun for the whole family. There’s plenty of entertainment for the kiddos, with face painting, henna, hair braiding, character appearances all frequenting the lineup.

While those who have aged out of face-paint demographic (#tear) can hunt for some hand-crafted wares with all manner of scented, ceramic, and sewn goodies on rotation from local stallholders. Bonus for paw-rents: they’re pet friendly (on lead), so bring your pup along for a paw-some day out.
Where: Bathing Pavilion Lawn, Marine Parade, Southport
When: The third Saturday of every second month, 8am – 2pm

Jack Evans Boat Harbour Waterfront Markets
Another one of the newer kids on the proverbial market block, the picturesque Tweed promenade snaking by the Boat Harbour waterfront was just begging for local stallholders and their crafty creations to set up shop and complement our leisurely Saturday strolls.

A stunner of a spot for the Southern GC (four-legged friends invited also!) to congregate with live music, artisan food vendors, hand crafted treasures and boutique fashion stalls a plenty. After you’ve shopped up a storm, cool off with a spot of paddle boarding as the glistening water beckons.

And if that hasn’t worn out the kiddos, the fortuitously placed new foreshore playground should do the trick.
When: Jack Evans Boat Harbour Market: first Saturday of every month, 8am – 1pm. Night Market: second & fourth Friday of every month, 4pm – 8pm
Where: Wharf St, Tweed Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen and Kellie Leader

Oh, how far we’ve come since poring over those well-worn copies of the iconic Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake Book every year trying to decide between the jelly laden swimming pool or the chip-faced duck cake.

These days, sweet tooths and savvy cake enthusiasts demand delicious cakes that taste every bit as good as they look for their photo op on the ‘gram (so long, fondant, we’re not sad to see you go). Judging by the deluge of aesthetic, cakey goodness that keeps appearing on our nightly doom scrolls, our appetite for cakes that are a visual and literal feast only continues to gain momentum.

If you’re yet to encounter local cake biz Marishka’s Honey Cakes, let us tell you, you are in for an extra special treat. Hive got a feeling you need to know about her un-bee-lievably delectable and unique creations being cooked up right here on the GC. As avid dessert enthusiasts it’s not often we have the chance to try something new amongst the usual celebratory fare, but these honey cakes are as deliciously different as they are ‘grammable.

After moving from Russia five years ago, fellow dessert lover Marina Skelton, or Marishka as she’s more commonly known, found she was homesick for the traditional cakes of her homeland. Although cake making has long been a passion and something of a side hustle from back home, the move to Australia inspired her to go all in on re-creating a little slice of her home cuisine.

Right around the same time we were all stocking up on hand sanitiser and being humbled by attempting the art of sourdough in iso, Marishka launched her cake business on the GC, and we (more specifically our tastebuds) are glad to see her creations going strong after a rocky start (unlike our long-forgotten sourdough starters, #rip) After gaining momentum, Marishka and her husband Paul specifically renovated their kitchen to accomodate the thriving small business – creating extra storage space, a big beautiful island and installing two ovens to keep those goodies crumbing.

Her specialty, the Honey cake, is a traditional Eastern European cake consisting of multiple individually baked layers. While there are many different recipes, Marishka uses an authentic recipe she learnt from a dear friend who also happened to be her favourite baker in her home town, but with her own little twist. Sandwiched with sour cream between all those golden layers of soft cake made from Gold Coast honey, you will also find Marishka’s signature raspberry sauce which gives the cake an extra delicious flavour. Marishka adds, ‘when you try it, you’ll be surprised how soft and delicious it is, so many of my customers comment that they love that it is not overly sweet and has a natural taste.’

The mega Gaytime vibes we’re getting from the traditional golden crumb decoration is reason enough for us to want to dive right in, but the seasonal berries and meringues take it to the next level, no doubt helping gain the buzz Mariskha has attracted on Instagram. ‘A lot of people had no idea what a Honey cake is about but they were really eager to try something new and unique. Obviously they fell in love after trying the first bite’, she adds.

Marishka has more equally enticing traditional Russian treats such as Kartoshka Pops on the menu, as well as Mousse cakes delicately filled with Dark chocolate sponge, Chocolate crispearls, Raspberry coulis, Vanilla cremeux, Dark chocolate-raspberry mousse. Yes, to all of the above.

Understandably, Marishka’s mouth-watering treats are quite time-intensive to create and require some notice to whip up (anywhere from a few days to a week or more for the Mousse cakes), so next time a special occasion is looming, bee sure to head to her website and get your orders in. Though in this case we firmly stand by the philosophy that ‘treat ‘yo self’ or ‘need to know what all the buzz is about’ both constitute as a ‘special occasion’.

To sweeten the deal, mention this article for getting extra unique Russian treats with your first order!

Instagram: @marishkahoneycakes
Website: marishkahoneycakes.com.au

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Belinda Symons.

STORY SPONSORED BY MARISHKA’S HONEY CAKES.

Once upon a time, the words ‘alcohol-free beer’ would never, ever have been paired together. Anyone who dared to suggest such senselessness would have had more shade thrown their way than a beach snooze under a Cool Cabana. But here in mid-2023, things are very different with people turning to the (non-boozy beer) bottle in their droves and yes, we’re also still stuck on the fact that 2023 is nearly half-baked already.

Much more than a fleeting trend, sinking low or no alcohol beverages is a phenomenon sweeping the globe, and us health-conscious Gold Coasters are here for it. Thankfully, so are three iconic beer industry veterans who went all-in embracing this shift, combining their brewski brilliance to create Hiatus Beers; the ultimate zero alcohol ale.

Crafting a beer experience sans the sloppiness, drunk dials, PPIs (Pissed Person Injuries), go-go gadget pot belly, heinous hangover, and that god-awful post drinking ‘hangxiety’, what’s not to love about Hiatus? It’s perfect for those who’ve given boozing the boot, and/or are simply taking a break coz our livers have feelings too you know. Or, maybe you just need a spacer every now and then to make sure you don’t reach David Hasselhoff-eating-a-cheeseburger drunk status, and this is surely the best drinking deterrent that ever was.

Launching in late 2022, we can confirm that Hiatus’ first release, the non-alcoholic pacific ale or ‘NAPA’, is dinky di. Choccas with classic pacific ale authenticity, aromas of passionfruit, guava and mango burst out of the can the moment it’s cracked. A wave of refreshing citrus and tropical fruit overtakes your senses, followed by a balancing bitterness which leaves you with only one option…kick back, relax, and stay on hiatus (#IfYouInsist).

Owners Jules Ryan, Nic Sandery and Nick Detmold have all been there done that in the beer/drinks industry, each boasting 15-20 years in the trade. Jules heads up sales and trade engagement, previously working with power players Balter, Stone & Wood, Vale Ale, and Little Creatures. Nick Detmold is the operations man, with a background at Beam Suntory, Coca-Cola, and Maxxium. And finally, Nic Sandery is the Hiatus brewer, and we need to befriend this man stat coz everyone needs a brewer in their fold. He’s also the owner and brewer at Molly Rose, has worked with Stone & Wood and Holgate, and creator of the brand’s most unique selling point; the classic pacific ale aromas and flavours.

Meeting during their stint at Stone & Wood, all three had become increasingly interested in the flourishing no and low drinks movement. After some serious planning, crafting, and taste-testing coz you know, someone has to do it, the Hiatus NAPA was born. Fast becoming a zero-alcohol beer fridge staple, it’s as full flavoured as its boozy counterparts, minus the morning after misery #HungdogMillionaireNoMore.

So when you feel like taking a break from booze and bad decisions (#amen), fill your cup both figuratively and literally with Hiatus. We’ll cheers to that!

Where: Various online and bricks’n’mortar retailers in QLD, NSW, VIC, SA & WA When: Whenever you like

Words by Bianca Trathen.