Often when people consider what activities to enjoy while on the road, a simple visit to the fresh food market can be a fantastic and rewarding experience, writes Frida Horbino from the Caravan RV & Accommodation Industry of Australia (CRVA).
Spring brings a host of fresh, new produce to the many local farmer’s markets around Australia. While a visit to the farmer’s market may sound like a scene from a bygone era due to the emergence of big chain supermarkets, the popularity of farmer’s markets are now more evident than ever, due to increased demand for fresh produce and value.
If you are on the road caravanning and camping, fresh food markets offer many benefits, as you move from location to location. Not only can they provide fresh produce, you can have an all-Australian experience enjoying the best each location has to offer. Add some extra fun to this experience and incorporate a theme on your food tour. From seafood trails to fruit trails, the possibilities are endless!
Visiting a farmer’s market is more than just buying local produce. Nowadays many visitors look forward to the social experience that comes with it – meeting the locals, enjoying a cup of coffee with friends or simply just kicking backing, soaking up the early sun and fresh air.
Australia is fortunate to have some of the most fertile lands on the planet, with a great climate and an amazing geography, contributing to an array of delicious produce.
Eating is one of life’s great pleasures. Having a meal with friends and family is a tradition that people have enjoyed. Sadly, however, due to a combination of being time poor and the pressures of daily life, many Australians don’t take the time to prepare a beautiful fresh meal as often as they should. There’s no better time to change this habit than now. The last few years has seen the emergence of fresh food markets in nearly every major city, town and the not so major city! Why not visit one of the many farmer’s markets around Australia and assign a couple of hours on a Saturday morning and turn this activity into a social event.
Markets can be so much fun and rewarding, with opportunities to speak directly with vendors, meeting interesting people, having a cup of coffee with friends, or simply unwinding by reading the latest paper. All while grabbing a bargain and fresh produce! So, when you arrive in your next location, don’t forget to ask a local or your caravan holiday park staff about their next local fresh food market.
What are you waiting for? Live and breathe the essence of a food experience, and taste delicious local produce abounds in spring, all while enjoying a caravanning and camping holiday. Whether heading to the beach, outback, or city, make sure to get out there this spring and seek new experiences beyond the norm all while enjoying the great outdoors and creating life-long memories with friends and family.
Here are some places worth a visit.
“Add some extra fun to this experience and incorporate a theme on your food tour. From seafood trails to fruit trails, the possibilities are endless!”
Adelaide Central Market
South Australia
The Adelaide Central Market buzzes with life and colour all year round and is a special place for regulars, who wouldn’t shop anywhere else. Here you’ll find a huge range of fresh food, all under one roof – fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, gourmet cheeses, bakery products, sweets, nuts and health foods. Shoppers can also take a break in some of the hippest cafes in Adelaide. It’s the experience of shopping here that brings people back again and again – the noise, the fresh food smells, the variety, the colour and the atmosphere of an international melting pot of food and cultures.
The Adelaide Central Market is conveniently located in the heart of the Adelaide CBD making it easily accessible. The market is open from Tuesday to Saturday every week. For more information, visit adelaidecentralmarket.com.au.
Where to stay
BIG4 ADELAIDE SHORES CARAVAN PARK
Adelaide Shores Caravan Park is an award-winning tourist park that offers a range of cabins and caravan and camping sites. Facilities include heated pools, tennis, barbecues, playground, jumping pillows, games room and a licensed cafe. The caravan holiday park is bordered by a coast path for pedestrians and cyclists, and the sands of West Beach. Adjacent facilities include mini golf, tennis courts, boat launching facilities, a skate and BMX park, and two 18- hole public golf courses.
Phone 08 8355 7320
Address 1 Military Road, West Beach, SA, 5024
Website adelaideshores.com.au
Fremantle Markets
Western Australia
Fremantle Markets has rightfully earned itself a reputation as one of the best destinations in Fremantle for locals and tourists alike, as well as a leading source of independent wares and produce. There is a huge selection of local produce at Fremantle Markets, sourced from local growers and if you’re keen on organic products and foods, this is the place to come. Fremantle Markets has a superb variety of goods on offer, including cosmetics and beauty products; herbs, spices, tea and coffee; wholefoods and fine meats; fruit and vegetables; breads and pastries; grains, nuts and sweets; and even natural medicine. The good thing is that all of these organic products are under one roof.
The Fremantle Markets are a public market located on the corner of South Terrace and Henderson Street, Fremantle, WA. The market is open from Friday to Sunday. For more information, visit fremantlemarkets.com.au.
Where to stay
FREMANTLE VILLAGE
Fremantle Village is a 3.5 star rated caravan park and accommodation village located only three kilometres from the heart of Fremantle and only a half hour drive from Perth. Fremantle Village offers accommodation to suit all budgets and a variety of sites to suit all travellers. Whether you are camping, towing a caravan or touring in your campervan or motorhome, Fremantle Village is ideal.
Phone 08 9430 4866
Address 25 Cockburn Road, South Fremantle, WA, 6163
Website fremantlevillage.com.au
Parap Village Markets
Northern Territory
Every Saturday morning the Parap Village Markets entice and delight with the bustling colours of life. A treasured institution since 1982, the Parap Village Markets house a diverse gathering of stallholders who set up under shady trees, awnings and umbrellas to sell their wares. Even before the sun is up, the food stalls are busily preparing exotic and local dishes. Flavours of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia come to life. Choice abounds with delicious crepes, zesty salads, fruit smoothies, ice treats for the kids and gourmet coffee. Browse the diverse range of fresh produce available at market prices and enjoy locally grown vegetables, herbs, Asian greens and exotic fruits like you’ve never seen.
The Parap Village Markets run every Saturday 8am – 2pm (rain or shine) all year round and is located on Parap Shopping Village, Parap Place, NT.
Where to stay
DARWIN FREESPIRIT RESORT
Darwin FreeSpirit Resort offers the perfect place to stay while exploring Darwin and the Top End.
The holiday park is positioned only 15 minutes from the Darwin city centre. Set among 28 acres of tropical landscaped gardens, a large range of modern villas and cabins are available, most with your own patio, air-conditioning and central location to resort facilities. The powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites are spacious and offer plenty of shade. With fantastic fishing, amazing markets and festivals, a unique laid-back lifestyle and World Heritage-listed national parks, a stay in this caravan holiday park will be one you remember for a lifetime.
Phone 08 8935 0888
Address 901 Stuart Highway, Berrimah, NT, 0831
Website darwinfreespiritresort.com.au
HITTING THE ROAD
For the perfect holiday ‘How to guide?’ ExperienceCaravannningandCamping.com.au is offering you the FREE ‘Hit the Road’ eBook. Visit their website to download the PDF version of the eBook or go to iTunes download the FREE iTunes version. Plus be in with a chance to WIN a $2,000 self-drive holiday! The ‘Hit the Road’ eBook will provide you with user-friendly information about how to experience the best of Australia by following your passions and interests while caravanning and camping. Figure out if you are a vanner, camper or glamper or organise a road trip to see the Australia’s best golf courses, surf beaches, wineries, fossicking spots and much more!
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