Chandler Farmers Markets

Chandler markets are located in the car park of the Sleeman Sports complex.  This was purpose built for the 1982 Commonwealth Games and has swimming pools, a velodrome and associated other buildings situated in a beautiful parkland.

The markets are partially under cover and I think what makes them special is the native trees and plants that surround them.  These are marketed as a farmers market, rather than a flea market so they sell plenty of fruit and veggies, boutique food-stuff and plants.  They also have a really terrific selection of antiques, collectables and general bric a brac.  There's such a good variety of goodies here that I have never once come home empty handed.

The least you should know: Chandler Markets are located at the Sleeman Sports Complex, 1699 Old Cleveland Road, Chandler.  They are on every Sunday, rain or shine, 5am to 1pm.  Entry is $1 for adults. There's plenty of parking available, just follow the ring road until you find a relatively empty carpark- for some reason people tend to fight over the closest car park to Tilly Road- so just keep driving and you can have a nice walk to the markets through some splendid gardens.

Just have a look at these gardens, it's really worth coming out here  to have a picnic on the grounds

This stall isn't undercover, however it gets plenty of shade from the trees

This stall business is called "Nitide Subst" Really, really amazing gluten-free goodies here.  She's usually at Rocklea markets on Saturday morning and has a Facebook page as well

So many treasures for the urban pirate  

Not a terribly inspired photo, but this is the under cover area that takes up 60% of the markets

Toohey Forest walking tracks- Nathan

If you feel like getting away from the noise and bustle of the city, but don't really want to drive hours and hours to do it, then this is the place for you.

Toohey forest is only 9km's from Brisbane's CBD.  It's just off the freeway via the Gaza Road exit and there is quite a lot of parking, picnic tables and BBQ's.  I went for a short walk last weekend, the 1km Sandstone Circuit, which was rated as easy but was still quite a nice little workout thanks to all the steps up to the lookout.  There really wasn't that much of a view because the trees have grown quite tall, but it was still quite beautiful and green and worth the trip.

I really wrestled with mentioning this because it may have just been my own paranoia, but there were quite a few creepy guys dawdling around off the pathways.  I'm not sure if I stumbled into one of those secret gentlemen's clubs that my old flatmate the Kylie Minogue impersonator used to frequent, or whether they were just getting their breath back after a long climb up the mountain, but I would urge you to consider taking an exercise buddy with you.  It may not be the safest of places....

The least you should know: There are a few entrances but I found the easiest to be on Toohey Road at Tarragindi, where you can park on either side of the road. The signage is quite good, with trails clearly marked.

Toohey forest map, so you can plan your adventure in advance

One of the well-maintained walking trails

Some of the steps in the Sandstone circiut

The path back to the picnic/ BBQ area and carpark

Some of the picnic tables and BBQ's

RSPCA Op Shop- New Farm

Today's post is for those of you who love the labels.  I have two sisters, one is the queen of all things antique and retro and the other has a magical gift of walking into a fairly ratty old op shop and walking out with a genuine Dogstar frock This place was discovered my the label queen herself.


The RSPCA has 12 thrift shops in SE QLD.  Each one has it's own specialities.  The one at New Farm is packed with designer labels....shoes...leather coats...bags... It has a furniture section out the back that has very clean, good quality items.  There's a couple of walls of books and at the front is a small jewellery cabinet.  When I was shopping in here last weekend, one of the volunteers persuaded me to part with $10 for a pair of hiking boots.  When I arrived home, I realised that they were handmade Italian mountaineering boots that, when new, would have been sold for somewhere between $300 and $400.


I love the RSPCA. It's a fantastic charity and deserves our support. It's good to think that every cent that you spend here is feeding a dog or a cat while they are looking for a new home.


The least you need to know: NEW FARM FURNITURE BARN is at Cnr Merthyr & Lamington St New Farm Qld 4005 Phone: (07) 3254 2309.  There's a couple of parking spaces next to the entrance but quite a lot in the surrounding side streets as well.

This is the furniture barn part.  It's at the very back of the store

These arm chairs were $30 each.  bargain!

You have various prices of single items, with this 3 for $10 special every day.  Every couple of weeks, they have something excitedly called by my sister "Bag Day", where you can fill a Coles plastic bag with clothing for $10.

Some of the shoes

There's wall to wall books in here, organised by authors name or non-fiction subject.