For ABC Perth Saturday Breakfast we’re talking about markets.  From craft markets, organic markets, wet markets and community markets, we’re sure we’ll find something for you to seek out this whenever your next weekend drive is planned.  

What’s more of a sensory overload wherever you are in the world than a good market?  We’re going to provide some good options throughout Perth but I want to start with some international market experiences as well. 

When we decided to explore markets, I was taken back through the humid mists of time to a market north of Khao Lak in Thailand. 

My kids were drawn by aisles of backpacks and shirts but all of a sudden we were slipping and sliding our way through the wet market which had all sorts of animal fluids on the concrete floor and the smells and sights of a different cultures cuts of meat opened my kids eyes wider than the cows eyes rolling around on the table.

If you get the chance to visit Kuala Lumper then a visit to Chow Kit and Jalan Alor will give you a night out you will never forget, full of tightly packed stalls with seafood ready to be grilled to order, high piles of rambutans, jackfruit and stinky durian. 

These are markets where the locals eat and buy their produce to eat at home.  These are markets that bring outsiders in and that’s what makes a good market anywhere in the world or anywhere in our suburbs; it attracts the locals and the outsiders.

In Hong Kong, Tom and I went to Cat Street which is full to the brim with curios which just happens to be one of my favourite words!  Curios!  Tables filled with piles of watches, Mao Tse Tung statuettes, brooches and badges.  It was a great market for that feeling that you have to dig to find the treasure. (Tom’s story about the dragon pocket watch).

Here in Perth we have so many markets in Perth that I have come up with a collective noun for markets.

We have a Mooch of Markets in Perth.

Rockingham Rotary Sunday Market:  A Rotary Club run market and your donation when you enter the markets helps fund community projects. This is one of the great car boot style markets.  Handmade goods and crafts are on sale as well, as well as trestles groaning under the weight of piles of action figures and hot wheels cars  and soft toys. Tom is a collector of Garfield so he’s an expert rummager at these markets.

Vic Park Community Market:  Let’s go fly a kite in Vic Park!  A broad expanse of grass with kite flying for the kids and lots of backyard grown veges of interesting shapes and sizes and local music to tap your feet to while you have a fresh donut and coffee.

Perth Upmarket at UWA (every 3 months):  Handmade crafts and artists are what the Upmarkets are known for and these are probably the markets with the best atmosphere, being in the hallowed grounds of the university. 

Kyilla Community Farmers Market:  Each Saturday by Kyilla Primary School as an opportunity to make the school community part of the local community.  Stalls focus on healthy living options, the line for bread always winds its way through the stalls. Proceeds from the stall fees go to the school for resources and learning projects.

Provedore Markets:  If you’re pandemic shy about travelling but longing for Europe, head to the Provedore Markets in Mount Hawthorn for a bit of Italy. Cheeses, meats, wines, gelato, pizza and pasta and those Italian soft drinks in the little bottles and music and long communal tables to enjoy your culinary loot alongside new friends.

Scarborough Sunset Market:  The sunset winter markets are held on Saturday nights and with the sounds of local DJs and a cold winter sea breeze at your back, enjoy  hot spicy foods and a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. 

Mirrabooka Community Markets:  Finished for now but look out for when this one resumes. It’s a brilliant market that is probably Perth’s most culturally diverse and make sure you skip breakfast as there’s a lot of food from around the world to try.

Kalamunda Artisan Market:  More than a market, it’s a tourism destination on our beautiful escarpment.  Typically over 150 stalls and is a great reason to head to the hills for a day out, buying some local ceramics or artworks and getting enough fresh produce to make a picnic in the nearby parks and bushland. 

Mount Claremont Farmers Market:  Every Saturday morning and is full to the fence with stalls of seasonal fruit and veges, cheeses, pastries and flowers and when nectarines come out at the end of the year get in line as quick you can.

City Farm:  Real gardens to explore like something out of Mr McGregor’s garden in Peter Rabbit and lots of organic opportunities not just to eat but to spray on things you’re growing to eat.  The only thing you’ll find that’s sweeter than the honey for sale are maybe an ABC Presenter and Producer grabbing themselves a coffee before the start of Hidden Treasures. Get there by train and get off at Claisebrook Station.

Moorditj Markets (Sunday at the footy): Honey, seedlings, art, clothes, jewellery and deadly denim shopping bags

Markets are Hidden Treasures because it’s not just about being cheap and cheerful it’s about the fabric of a community that’s on display.  When we’re overseas we’re fascinated by trestles of cows heads and odd fruits. While culture can sometimes be confronting in a market, particularly overseas, here in our suburbs and even at the footy,  they show us what we grow and what we make and they are a honeypot for getting us outside and bringing us together and that’s what hidden treasure is all about.