Make It. Bake It. Sew It. Grow It.
On the 24th of March 1979, ceramic artist Christa Barton and her friend Gail Perry-Somers set up three stalls at the CWA Hall in the small hinterland town of Eumundi. Eight visitors turned up and the day's takings totalled $30. Today, the Original Eumundi Markets is the largest art and craft market in Australia — over 600 stallholders welcoming 1.6 million visitors every year across multiple precincts shaded by magnificent memorial fig trees on Memorial Drive.
What makes Eumundi different from ordinary markets is the handmade ethos. Every stallholder must meet the "make it, bake it, sew it, grow it" test — ensuring that everything you buy is genuinely locally made, artisan-quality, and unique. You'll find original paintings and sculptures, hand-poured candles, designer jewellery, boutique skincare, bespoke leather goods, handcrafted furniture, and locally grown produce — alongside world-class street food, live music, and street performers.
The markets sit on Kabi Kabi / Gubbi Gubbi Country in the heritage village of Eumundi, just 20 minutes from Noosa Heads and 30 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport. Although it looks like one enormous market, Eumundi is actually a collection of five distinct precincts — each with its own character, stallholders, and specialities.
600+ Stalls of Handmade, Local & Unique
Art & Sculpture
Original paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, woodwork, and mixed-media
Jewellery & Accessories
Handcrafted rings, necklaces, bracelets — silver, gemstone, recycled materials
Fashion & Textiles
Locally designed clothing, leather goods, bags, hats, and children's wear
Skincare & Wellbeing
Natural soaps, essential oils, candles, massage, and wellness practitioners
Fresh Produce
Seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, artisan cheese, bread, macadamias, finger limes
Street Food & Coffee
Tibetan MoMos, French crêpes, German bratwurst, Japanese gyoza, stone-baked pizza
Homewares & Furniture
Hand-turned timber boards, bespoke furniture, cushions, and kitchen ceramics
Live Music & Performers
Local musicians, buskers, and street performers throughout all precincts
One Town, Five Distinct Markets
Eumundi isn't just one market — it's a collection of precincts, each with its own stallholders and personality. Allow enough time to explore all five.
The Original Eumundi Markets
The flagship — operating since 1979 under the heritage fig trees on Memorial Drive. The biggest precinct with hundreds of stalls following the strict "make it, bake it" ethos. Art, fashion, produce, food, and live music.
Wed & Sat
Eumundi Square
Permanent undercover precinct with 90+ boutique micro-retail stalls, family-operated since 2006. Jewellery craftspeople, clothing designers, tea blenders, artisan food, barista coffee, and live music in a chilled courtyard. Also open Fridays.
Wed, Fri & Sat
Eumundi Parkside
Family-run since 1992, set beside Dick Caplick Park and its playground. Over 80 stalls of jewellery, clothing, skincare, giftware, homewares, and street food. Pineapple cocktails and freshly ground coffee under the shade.
Wed & SatThe Terraces
Community-run by the Eumundi & District Community Association (volunteers since 1998). Multi-tiered, paved and shaded area east of the CWA Hall with up to 150 stalls. Proceeds fund local community projects. Wednesdays only.
Wed only
The Pavilion & Emporium
Open most days of the week — galleries, cafes, bars, restaurants, and the Munimba-ja Arts Centre (meaning "welcome place" in Kabi Kabi). Also home to the Eumundi Museum. A year-round destination beyond market days.
Open most days📜 From 3 Stalls to 600 — A Sunshine Coast Icon
The town of Eumundi takes its name from a Kabi Kabi warrior, "Ngumundi," who lived in the area in the 1830s. The memorial fig trees lining the main street were planted in 1917 to honour local soldiers lost in World War I, giving the street its name — Memorial Drive.
By the 1960s, the dairy and banana farming that had sustained the township was declining. In 1979, Christa Barton envisioned a European-style artisan market to support local creatives and unemployed youth. The first market had three stalls and eight visitors. By 1985 it had grown to 97 stalls and 143,000 annual visitors. Wednesday trading was added in 2002 after demand outgrew a single day. Today, it's Australia's largest art and craft market with over 600 stalls and 1.6 million visitors annually.
Market Day Vibes
Tips for the Perfect Market Day
When to Go
Saturday is the biggest day (7am–2pm) — arrive by 7:30am for parking and fresh produce. Wednesday (8am–2pm) is quieter with easier parking, preferred by locals. Fridays have Eumundi Square only (7:30am–2pm).
Parking
Free street parking on Napier Road and surrounds (check time limits — 15 min on market days). Paid all-day parking at ECCO car park (Napier Rd & Albert St, ~$6) and nearby school lots (~$8). Arrive early on Saturdays — fills fast.
Getting There
20 minutes from Noosa Heads, 30 minutes from Mooloolaba. Free bus shuttle available from Mooloolaba on market days. Guided day tours depart from Noosa and Brisbane including the markets as a stop.
Payment
Most stalls accept card and EFTPOS. Some smaller vendors are cash only — bring some cash to be safe. ATMs available in the village. Note: many fresh produce stalls are cash-preferred.
What to Bring
Comfortable shoes (you'll walk a lot), sun hat and sunscreen, a reusable shopping bag, a cold pack for the car to keep food fresh, and an appetite. Dogs welcome on a leash.
Insider Tips
Start at the far end of the Original Markets and work back towards Memorial Drive to avoid initial crowds. Try the Tibetan MoMos and the freshly squeezed Eumundi juice (a 43-year institution). Chat with stallholders — they love sharing their stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every Wednesday (8am–2pm) and Saturday (7am–2pm), rain, hail, or shine — including public holidays. Eumundi Square is also open Fridays (7:30am–2pm). The Pavilion, Emporium, Museum, galleries, and cafes are open throughout the week.
No — entry is completely free to all precincts. You only pay for what you buy. Some parking is free (time-limited), and paid all-day parking is available from around $6–8.
Plan for at least 2–3 hours to explore all precincts. Many visitors spend a half-day — browsing, eating, listening to music, and chatting with stallholders. With five precincts there is genuinely a lot to see.
Saturday is the bigger day with more stalls and a livelier atmosphere — best for the full experience. Wednesday is significantly quieter with easier parking and a more relaxed pace, preferred by locals. Both days offer all five precincts. Friday (Eumundi Square only) is the quietest option.
Absolutely. There's a playground at Caplick Park (next to Parkside), school holiday programs like ukulele workshops, pony rides, face painting, and endless food options for kids. Dogs are welcome on a leash throughout the markets.
Eumundi is a 20-minute drive southwest from Noosa Heads via the Noosa-Eumundi Road. Free bus transfers run from Mooloolaba on market days, and guided day tours depart from Noosa and Brisbane. The address is Memorial Drive, Eumundi QLD 4562.
Don't eat breakfast before you go — you'll want room. Local favourites include Tibetan MoMos, French crêpes, German bratwurst with sauerkraut, stone-baked pizza, and Japanese gyoza. For sweets, try the gluten-free cinnamon donuts. Eumundi Fresh Juice has been running for over 43 years. Artisan cheese and local macadamias make brilliant take-home treats.
More Sunshine Coast Adventures
Combine your market day with other top attractions nearby.
Ready for Market Day?
From its humble three-stall beginnings to Australia's biggest art and craft market — Eumundi is a Sunshine Coast essential. Arrive early, bring your appetite, and prepare to be surprised.