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The main market in Port Douglas is held on Sunday mornings, year-round. Port Douglas Markets are a little bigger in high season (winter, July) and a little smaller in the wet season (summer) but most of the stalls are there all year. In addition to the main Port Douglas Markets, there are smaller markets at the Port Douglas Marina on Wednesdays, or if a cruise ship is in town. We’ll give you all the details in this post!
You can use the index below to jump to the section you need.
- Where are the markets, parking, and how to get there.
- What can you buy?
- Weather and best times to visit.
- Opening times for all markets.
- Applying for a stall.
- Are you looking for a mid-price hotel near the markets? Try Mantra on the Inlet. It’s perfect for Port’s restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Visiting The Markets in Port Douglas
Everything you need to know on visiting the Port Douglas Sunday Markets (or the Marina Markets) is on this page.
Where Are Port Douglas Markets Held?
The Market Ground is adjacent to The Inlet, at the west end of Macrossan Street. It’s an easy walk from most hotels in Port Douglas “town” or from The Marina. It’s less than a 5 minute walk from Port Village Shopping Centre. The market ground has views of The Sugarwharf and is in the area around St Mary’s Church.
There is a car park adjacent to the Market Ground, it can get very full as it’s also the car park for the Port Douglas slipway. If it’s a good day, everyone will be parking their boat trailers there. There is more parking behind Rex Smeal Park, turn right at the end of Macrossan Street, continue past the Old Courthouse Museum, park under the trees. This area can also get quite full.
The shuttle buses that run circuits around Port Douglas generally drop people outside Port Village Shopping Centre, this is ideal for visiting the markets.
We’re marked the market grounds on a map here.
What Can You Buy at The Markets?
The Port Douglas markets specialise in local crafts, produce, and hand-made items. But a few commercially produced products do slip in! Expect to find jewellery, some fruit and veg, food stalls and vans, coffee, clothing, leather goods, souvenirs, local grown vanilla, plants, arts and crafts. You will be able to find a unique souvenir or gift at the markets. You can also visit for breakfast or a mid-morning coffee and cake.
Sometimes there is live music, and there can be face painters.
If you’d like to list your stall here, get in touch!
Most of the shops on Macrossan Street will also be open on Sunday, so if you’re in town to shop, dont miss those too.
The Weather
Port Douglas has a tropical climate, so at any time of year it will be warm! The best time to visit is winter, in the summer months (Christmas) it can be very humid and sticky, or it can rain. At any time of year try to visit early before the sun is at its fullest. There is quite a lot of shade, and there are water bubblers, but it will be warm to hot.
Stalls start setting up before dawn, around 6.30 to 7. am. By 8 am most stalls will be ready to trade.
Opening Times
Port Douglas Sunday Market is officially open from 8 am to 2 pm.
The wednesday Market is held at The Port Douglas Marina between 11 am and 5 pm in high season. It is held over the Christmas school holidays and from April to October.
There are also markets on the marina when a cruise ship is in town. They will be times to meet the tenders and the ship’s itinerary.
Having Your Own Stall At The Markets
You can apply for a stall, I’ve done it myself, I used to be a facepainter at the markets. It’s a fun thing to do. There is a weekly fee and somebody will come around to collect that in cash each week. To apply for a stall you must complete this form from the Douglas Shire Council. Details on how and where to submit the form, and how to track down the market coordinator, are on the form.
