Looking for a quirky souvenir to remind you of your stay in Cairns? Look no further than one of the region's many vibrant markets.

The Cairns region has a variety of different markets, from the more well-known Rusty's Markets in the CBD through to smaller, regional markets such as the Malanda and Mareeba markets.

One thing is common throughout all of them and that is they feature fresh local produce, unique local art and crafts and a colourful atmosphere that makes them a must-do activity while visting Cairns.

Rusty's is definitely the most well-known, with thousands of shoppers flocking to the Sheridan Street site every weekend to pick up their weekly fruit and vegetables.

Rusty's has stalls from many of the regions top farmers and feature some of the freshest fruit and vegies money can buy along with deli items, food, souvenirs and clothing to boot.

Popular with locals and tourists alike, the markets run from Friday to Sunday and are a hive of activity in the CBD.

Other large markets include the famous Port Douglas Sunday Markets, the monthly Yungaburra Markets on the Ahterton Tablelands and the Esplanade markets on the city's foreshore.

The Tanks Arts Centre in Edge Hill also runs a monthly market which focus on a different aspect of lifestyle in Far North Queensland.

Recently, the "health and well being" markets were a massive success, with over 1000 people flocking to the centre which is located near the Cairns Botanical Gardens and Mount Whitfield Conservation Park.

There are also a number of smaller markets that operate in various regional centres such as Innisfail and around the Tablelands district which offer a glimpse of daily life in these prodominantly rural districts.

They are often a lot smaller, but contain items you will never find anywhere else - from local woodwork, to secondhand clothing and bric-a-brak.

No matter where you go, one thing is for sure: you will find something unique to take home to remind you of your stay in Far North Queensland, so make sure you make visiting the markets a priority when in the Cairns region.

For a complete listing of Cairns markets and information of where they are, please follow the links below:

> Cairns Market Directory

> Maps of Cairns

 

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