Port Douglas Markets
A beachfront Sunday market since 1998 run under strict 'Cotters' rules: everything sold must be locally made or grown.
About this market
Port Douglas Markets has traded at Anzac Park, right on the beachfront end of Macrossan Street, for more than 25 years. Since 1998, it's run as a strict "Cotters" market, meaning every single item sold must be locally made or grown by the seller or their immediate family rather than sourced elsewhere and resold, a rule that's shaped the market's genuinely local character for over two decades.
A market where reselling isn't allowed
That Cotters rule is the market's defining feature, and it shows in what's actually on the tables: locally grown produce, handmade furniture, original artwork and jewellery, all made by the people standing behind the stall rather than imported wholesale stock. More than 100 stalls now trade here every Sunday, alongside coffee and locally made ice cream for a proper tropical morning out.
Market at a glance
Being set right on the beachfront gives the market a genuinely different setting to most Sunday markets, reviewers describe a pleasant, unhurried wander through arty and crafty stalls with the water in view, a combination that's made it one of the town's most consistent weekly community gatherings.
Every stallholder at Port Douglas Markets has had to make or grow what they're selling themselves since 1998, a rule strict enough to rule out simple reselling entirely, unlike the vast majority of Australian weekend markets.
Good to know before you go
It's Sunday-only and wraps by early afternoon, so a mid-morning arrival still leaves plenty of time to browse before it winds down at 1.30pm. Pairing a visit with lunch in town makes sense, since food vans on site are more snack-focused than a full meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What time does Port Douglas Markets open?
- Sunday, 8am to 1.30pm, at Anzac Park, the beachfront end of Macrossan Street, Port Douglas.
- What does 'Cotters market' mean?
- Since 1998, Port Douglas Markets has run under Cotters market rules, meaning any item sold must be locally made or grown by the seller or their immediate family, rather than bought in and resold.
- How big is the market?
- More than 100 stalls, offering locally grown produce, handicrafts, artwork, handmade furniture, jewellery and knick-knacks, plus coffee and locally made ice cream.