1. Spring flowers at Kyneton Farmers' Markets 2. Super fresh, local produce 3. Zig Zag Wines at Malmsbury Village Farmers' Market
Expect to find…
While gardeners wait impatiently for the earth to warm up so they can ‘sow and grow’, you’ll find plenty of beets, parsnips, spuds, brassicas and broad beans at the markets over spring. In addition to beets and spuds, there’s always the market staples… flavour-packed fruit, organic free-range meats, homemade cheese, breads and pasta, local olives, cakes and jams, honey, eggs, wine and fresh flowers.
Of course a farmers’ market’s not a farmers’ market without the smell of sausage sizzles, crepes, Asian dumplings and spinach bureks. And you’ll get that in spades at our village farmers’ markets.
Plan your visit around these five farmer’s markets in the Macedon Ranges.
1. Kyneton Farmers’ Market
Hundreds of years of history gaze down upon this popular accredited farmers’ market. St Paul’s Church is one of Victoria’s oldest substantial churches. Built of bluestone in the mid-1800s, it provides a striking backdrop to this country market.
It’s also located in the heart of Kyneton’s historic Piper Street, a retail shopping and cafe paradise that is home to Chef Hat-awarded French bistro Midnight Starling.
The market starts packing up around 1pm, so once you’ve stocked up on goodies, take a wander up and down the shops of Piper Street.
Then when you’re ready to refuel, kick back on the outdoor terrace at The Oaks Grill overlooking St Paul’s Park. Wash their delicious cuisine down with a sassy gin cocktail on a spring afternoon and you have the perfect end to the day.
When: Every 2nd Saturday of the month from 8.30-1pm
Where: 35 Piper Street, St Paul’s Park, Kyneton
Parking: There is free street parking along Piper Street as well as streets running off Piper such as Yaldwyn and Powlett.
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leads.
2. Lancefield & District Farmers’ Market
The heart of Lancefield is High Street, one of those super-wide kinds that you don’t get in the city. And located under shady trees along a grassy plantation strip is the wonderful Lancefield Farmers’ Market.
This plastic bag-free market is worth a visit simply for the beauty of the journey to get there. If you love going on country drives, Lancefield is a wonderful excuse for a road trip.
The pastoral landscapes of Rochford on the way to Woodend are stunning, as is the iconic Australian bushland on the Burke and Wills Track to Benloch.
Or enhance your farmers’ market trip with a mini wine tasting adventure, cruising the picturesque country laneways of Lancefield to the likes of Cleveland Winery, Parkside Estate and Curly Flat.
When: Every 4th Saturday of the month from 9-1pm (3rd Saturday in December)
Where: High Street, Lancefield
Parking: There is free street parking along High Street and side streets.
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leads.
Facebook: @LancefieldFM
3. Woodend Community Farmers’ Market
Hosted by the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group, this accredited farmers’ market is an easy walk from Woodend V-Line Train Station. In addition to fabulous fresh produce, its High Street location lends for easy shopping along Woodend’s main shopping strip. There’s also a popular children’s playground a couple of minute’s walk from the market if the kids start to get ansy.
When you’ve stocked up on wholesome goodies at the market, make sure to stop by the famous Holgate Brewhouse for a beer garden chillax. This family-owned brewery has been at the forefront of Australia’s craft brewing movement for 20 years. Get yourself a beer tasting paddle and chow down on a classic pub fare that highlights the tastes of the region.
The farmers’ markets are also a hop, skip and jump to Hanging Rock if you feel like a hike afterwards.
When: Every 1st Saturday of the month from 9-1pm
Where: High Street, Woodend
Parking: There is free street parking along High Street and side streets. Or catch the V-Line regional train to Woodend from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station.
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leads.
Facebook: @WoodendFarmersMarket
4. Malmsbury Village Farmers’ Market
This wonderful, new accredited farmers’ market falls on a Sunday and is located along Malmsbury’s quaint High Street. It has a brilliant range of produce and is a short stroll to the sublimely beautiful Malmsbury Botanic Gardens. Plan your day around a picnic with your market haul under the willows or overlooking the spectacular bluestone viaduct bridge.
In fact, being on a Sunday it’s the perfect excuse to book a night in a B&B in Malmsbury and make an entire weekend of it. Visit local cellar doors, go walking in the fresh country air and even get a line wet in the nearby Lauriston Reservoir that is well stocked with Trout, Red Fin, Yellow Belly and Macquarie Perch.
When: Every 3rd Sunday of the month from 9-1pm
Where: Mollison Street, Malmsbury
Parking: There is free street parking along Mollison Street and side streets. Or catch the V-Line regional train to Malmsbury from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station.
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leads.
Facebook: @MalmsburyFM
5. Riddells Creek Farmers’ Market
This accredited farmers’ market is small and intimate with a real grassroots country feel to it. Treat yourself to local honey and eggs, table olives and chutneys, beer and wine, plants and cider, organic produce and cakes. Live music adds to the atmosphere and there’s plenty of room for kids to run around (there’s even free face painting after 10am).
Afterward, you might want to go for a bushwalk at the nearby Conglomerate Gully Flora Reserve. Home to kangaroos, echidnas and currawongs, this is an easy 2.9km (1 hour) return walk. You’ll come across unique conglomerate rock formations, a small seasonal waterfall and native orchids flowering between October to December.
If hiking is not your cup of tea, visit the historic, family-friendly Dromkeen Homestead for all day breakfast (Saturdays only), lunch or a Devonshire Tea and stroll through their pretty gardens. Built in 1889, Dromkeen also offers an art gallery and hold regular events and workshops you can time your visit around.
When: Every 3rd Saturday of the month from 9-1pm (except December when they hold a Twilight Market on the 2nd Friday of the month)
Where: Riddells Creek Primary School, 69-77 Main Road, Riddells Creek
Parking: There is free street parking along Main Road and side streets. Or catch the V-Line regional train to Riddells Creek from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station.
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leads.
Facebook: @RiddellsCreekFM
