Howitt Park Market
Up to 150 stalls beside the Princes Highway at Bairnsdale on the fourth Sunday, with every cent going to Rotary charities.
Also known as Bairnsdale Market.
About this market
Howitt Park sits beside the Princes Highway as you head east out of Bairnsdale, and on the fourth Sunday of the month it fills with up to 150 stalls. It is the biggest regular market in East Gippsland, and the whole thing exists to raise money: every cent from running it goes to Rotary work and to local and international charities.
A big country market with a purpose
The scale is what surprises people. A hundred and fifty stalls is a serious market anywhere, and out here it draws from across East Gippsland and from the holiday traffic heading to the Lakes. The friendly reputation is well earned, helped by the fact that the people running it are volunteers with no commercial stake in the day.
Market at a glance
Being on the highway rather than tucked into a town centre makes this an easy stop for anyone driving through, which is a good part of why a market this size works in a town of Bairnsdale's population.
From September to April the gates open at 8am. From May to August the market starts an hour later, at 9am, because a Gippsland winter morning is no time to be setting up trestles in the dark. The finish is 1pm all year round, so the winter market is an hour shorter rather than an hour later.
Good to know before you go
Check which half of the year you are in before setting an alarm. Turning up at eight in July buys you an hour in a cold car park. Howitt Park is signposted off the Princes Highway just east of Bairnsdale with plenty of room to park. Bring cash and bags. If you are heading to Lakes Entrance or Metung, the market is directly on the way and a fourth Sunday makes an easy first stop of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Howitt Park Market on?
- The fourth Sunday of every month. It opens at 8am from September to April and at 9am from May to August, finishing at 1pm either way.
- How big is it?
- Up to 150 stalls a month, which makes it one of the larger monthly markets in East Gippsland.
- Where does the money go?
- All proceeds from running the market go to Rotary work and to local and international charities. It is run by the Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise.
- What are Howitt Park Market opening hours?
- The fourth Sunday of the month. The market is at Bairnsdale, VIC.
- What days is Howitt Park Market open?
- Sunday, 9am to 1pm.
- Is there an entry fee for Howitt Park Market?
- Free