Within a 10–25 minute drive from BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park, you can find a selection of different local markets offering fresh produce, handmade goods, regional food and a relaxed country atmosphere.
Spend a morning wandering between stalls, picking up something fresh to eat, browsing handmade goods and discovering local producers and makers. Grab a coffee, enjoy the atmosphere and take your time exploring - with each market offering its own mix of food, crafts and local character.
Ballarat Farmers Market
Around a 10-minute drive from BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park, the Ballarat Farmers Market is one of the region’s largest and most popular regular markets.
Held beside Lake Wendouree and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, in the North Gardens Reserve, Zoo Drive, Lake Wendouree, the market brings together local growers, producers, makers and food vendors, with the range changing throughout the seasons.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Bread, cheese, eggs, honey and preserves
- Locally produced food and drinks
- Coffee and hot food
- Plants and seedlings
- Handmade jewellery, gifts and crafts
- Live music
Best Time to Visit:
- Open every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month 9am-1pm
- Arrive in the morning for the best choice of fresh produce
Suitable For:
- Families
- Couples
- Food Lovers
- Gardeners
- Anyone who enjoys supporting local growers and makers.
Accessibility:
- Pram and wheelchair accessible (some rough ground)
- Pet-friendly for well-behaved dogs on lead
- Family and accessible bathrooms available in the adjacent park
Time Needed:
Allow around 1–2 hours.
Insider Tip:
Make a morning of it and combine the market with a walk around Lake Wendouree or a visit to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens right next door.
The Bridge Market
Around a 15-minute drive from the park, The Bridge Market is held in the heart of Ballarat's CBD.
Wander through the stalls in the redeveloped Bridge Mall and browse a mix of fresh produce, gourmet food and locally made products, with Ballarat’s shops, cafés and restaurants only a few steps away.
- Fresh and regional produce
- Gourmet and specialty foods
- Hot food and drinks
- Gifts and homewares
- Shops, cafés and restaurants throughout the surrounding precinct·
Best Time to Visit:
- Open the 1st Saturday of each month, 9am–1pm
- Visit mid-morning to enjoy the market before stopping for lunch or exploring central Ballarat
Suitable For:
- Families
- Couples
- Food lovers
- Shoppers
- Visitors wanting to explore central Ballarat
Accessibility:
- Pram and wheelchair accessible
- Pet-friendly for well-behaved dogs on lead
- Family and accessible bathrooms available
Time Needed:
Allow around 1–2 hours.
Insider Tip:
Make the most of its central location and spend some time exploring Ballarat’s CBD after the market, with cafés, shops and historic streets all nearby. Wen and Ware Living is one of our favourite spots at the Mall. It combines a warm, welcoming café with a delightful homeware and gift range, making it a lovely spot to enjoy something delicious and have a browse at the same time.
Creswick Market
Around a 20 minute drive from BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park, the Creswick Market offers a relaxed country-market experience in the historic township of Creswick. Browse stalls filled with local produce and handmade goods, pick up breakfast or brunch from one of the food vendors and enjoy live music from local performers as you wander.
- Fresh local produce
- Eggs, cheese, bread and smallgoods
- Honey, preserves, sauces and olive oils
- Handmade arts and crafts
- Breakfast, brunch and hot food
- Live local music
Best Time to Visit:
- Open the 3rd Saturday of each month, 9am–1pm
- Visit mid-morning to enjoy breakfast or brunch while the market is in full swing
Suitable For:
- Families
- Couples
- Food lovers
- Craft and handmade-goods enthusiasts
- Visitors who enjoy exploring country towns
Accessibility:
- Pram accessible and wheelchair accessible, although some outdoor surfaces may be uneven
- Pet-friendly for well-behaved dogs on lead
- Family and accessible bathrooms available opposite the visitor information centre
Time Needed:
Allow around 1–2 hours for the market.
Insider Tip:
The Creswick Community Garden is located just next door to where the market runs and is a peaceful welcoming space filled with seasonal planting and productive garden beds. It is a lovely spot to slow down, have a look around and enjoy the community feel of Creswick.
Clunes Farmers & Makers Market
Around a 25 minute drive from BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park, the Clunes Farmers & Makers Market is held along Fraser Street in the heart of the historic gold-rush township of Clunes.
The market brings together seasonal produce growers, artisanal food producers and local artists and makers, with the mix of stalls changing throughout the year. It’s a great excuse to spend a morning exploring one of the region’s most character-filled towns.
- Seasonal fresh produce
- Artisan food and local produce
- Handmade goods and gifts
- Local artists and makers
- Food and drinks
- A relaxed country-town atmosphere
Best Time to Visit:
- Open the 2nd Sunday of each month, 9am–1pm
- Visit mid-morning to enjoy the market while leaving plenty of time to explore Clunes afterwards
Suitable For:
- Families
- Couples
- Food lovers
- Book lovers
- Visitors interested in historic country towns
- Anyone who enjoys locally made and grown products
Accessibility:
- Pram accessible and wheelchair accessible, although some outdoor surfaces may be uneven
- Pet-friendly for well-behaved dogs on lead
- Family and accessible bathrooms available opposite the visitor information centre
Time Needed:
Allow around 1–2 hours, or longer if you’d like to explore Clunes while you’re there.
Insider Tip:
Known as a historic Booktown, Clunes has many second-hand and antiquarian bookshops adding plenty of character to its beautifully preserved streets. In March the whole town comes together to celebrate the annual Clunes Booktown Festival, with booksellers, author talks, workshops and events celebrating books and storytelling. Well worth a visit.
Worth the Drive – Talbot Farmers Market
If you love a good country market, the Talbot Farmers Market is worth travelling a little further for.
Around a 40-minute drive from BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park, the Talbot Farmers Market brings local growers and producers together in the historic township of Talbot.
- Seasonal fresh produce
- Locally produced food
- Artisan products
- Local growers and producers
- Ready-to-eat food
- A traditional country-market atmosphere
Best Time to Visit:
- Open the 3rd Sunday of each month, 9am–1pm
- Arrive mid-morning to give yourself plenty of time to browse before exploring Talbot and the surrounding region
Suitable For:
- Families
- Couples
- Food lovers
- Day-trippers
- Visitors who enjoy traditional country markets
- Anyone interested in buying directly from local growers and producers
Accessibility:
- Pram accessible and wheelchair accessible, although some outdoor surfaces may be uneven
- Pet-friendly for well-behaved dogs on lead
Time Needed:
Allow around 1–2 hours for the market.
Insider Tip:
While in Talbot, pop into Slightly Bent Books for a browse. This quirky second-hand bookshop is packed with pre-loved books and plenty of unexpected finds.
Planning Your Visit
Market dates, locations and operating times can occasionally change due to weather, special events or public holidays, so we recommend checking with the individual market before heading out.
With markets held on different weekends throughout the month, there's a good chance you'll be able to experience at least one during your stay at BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park.
Need some inspiration to help you decide?
Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered!
