Bangalow Markets, simply stunning
The Bangalow Market Day is a treat for day trippers, a retreat from the city and the rush of the Gold Coast. Bangalow is a window into another world. Come for the day.
Part of the continuing success of the market is the beautiful Bangalow Showgrounds, where the markets are held at, which are dominated by eleven huge camphor laurel trees which provide welcome shade and rustling leaves and a magic forest atmosphere.
The market is a day out for people, and health and safety regulations prevent pets from also attending so if you are coming to the market you will have to leave your dog at home.
A percentage of the market profit each month is distributed to Bangalow Community Groups on a rotating basis. The market then benefits the whole community and fulfils its role as a community market.
Parking is available in the showgrounds at the Market. Parking fee is $2
A day at the market
The market is right in the middle of town in the showgrounds. If you drive, parking in the streets is a premium but you can park in to the showgrounds themselves right at the market.
Where to start and which way to go…the market pathways wind around between trees and follow lanes. Sights, sounds and smells are all catered for, the aroma of foods and perfumes, entertainers, bands and the colourful stall after stall beckoning down the path.
A local band (a different one each market) provide entertainment as you sit under the dappled shade of the leopard trees enjoying the offerings from one of the many food stalls.
Buskers perform, conjuring up little unexpected delights that break your concentration from all that’s on show.
You can make it restful or hectic, you can rush or dawdle, come early or late, you can stay for lunch, you can take in the whole village with a walk around or you can sit under a tree but a day at the market will be a Sunday you’ll remember.
Bangalow Market is on the 4th Sunday each month and in some months the 4th Sunday is not the last Sunday in the month, and they are marked with an *.
- 28th January
- 25th February
- 24th March*
- 28th April
- 26th May
- 23rd June*
- 28th July
- 25th August
- 22nd September*
- 27th October
- 24th November
- 22nd December*
In 1982 Jeff Prichard saw the Bangalow Showgrounds as the perfect location for an outdoor market. Large shady trees, parking space, power and toilet facilities and a community that welcomed the alternative nature and excitement the markets would bring. He organised and cajoled forty stallholders who made up the first market.
Over the years changes and improvements have resulted in a market today that hosts 320+ stalls. Many of the original stalls still exist. The markets are now run by The Bangalow Park Trust, a voluntary community committee, who are responsible for the care and maintenance of the grounds. The Committee operate under the aegis of the Byron Shire Council and Shane Olive has taken over the Manager role after Jeff Pritchard started and ran the Market for 40 years. The market still evolves showcasing new crafts and exotic foods providing a launch pad for entertainment talent. Many of the shops and industries in the Bangalow/Byron Bay region had their genesis as market stalls.