Sunday Flea Markets- Rocklea

The least you need to know.... The markets are at Sherwood Road at Rocklea.  You won't miss them, there's an incredible number of people pouring into the place every Sunday....just pick someone and follow them. They start at 6am and finish around 12 o'clock.

It costs $1 to pass through the turnstiles and $3 per car to drive in and park inside the grounds. You aren't always sure of getting a car park inside on Sundays and if this happens, you'll be waved away by a policeman (some people take offence at being turned away and need the presence of the thin blue line to stop them from doing wheelies down the street). There's plenty of parking across the street, just head towards the toll booths at the Rocklea Fruit markets proper and someone will direct you.

The old market adage holds true if you want something special and you have the cash, arrive at 6am.  If it's an off pay week and money is a little short, arrive around 10.45 because people start to get nervous about how much of their stuff they'll have to pack up and take home again....but ssshhh....it's a secret...don't go telling everyone now....

The markets are famous for flowers, rightly so, they're amazingly cheap and fresh

Beautiful australian natives for $5 a bunch.  OK you got me, I have no clue what kind of flowers these are : )

This lady spends all morning making fairy floss, it smells so beautiful that she always has quite a large crowd

Gargoyle for your medieval church pehaps?

I love the randomness of things for sale.  

The selection of plants here are amazing. You could buy an enormous flowering orchid plant for anywhere between $10 and $20

I noted that the pin trays were Shelley- antique collectors take note

Rocklea markets have certain stalls, such at this pet supply place that are here every week and with very reasonable prices

Northey Street Organic Markets

The least you need to know...these markets run every Sunday morning from 6 - 10.30 am at Northey Street City Farm on the corner of Northey and Victoria Streets at Windsor.  Entry is free, however parking can be pretty competitive it you arrive after 8am.  There are a couple of fantastic places to eat breakfast and I can highly recommend the gluten free breakfast pizza...so good!

The markets have a lovely atmosphere.  They're held under some great big old Moreton bay fig trees and it's always a couple of degrees cooler than anywhere else, which is a big plus in a Brisbane summer.  There are always loads of musicians playing all around the place, which adds to the medieval market feel. Something else I always notice when I go there is just how healthy everyone looks.  Glowing skin, clear eyes....they always convince me that I'll look more beautiful if I buy that organic pumpkin

The pied piper.....

These bananas and paw paws just made me want to stand these taking big bites out of them...thankfully I managed to control myself!

Yes. You are completely correct.  These books are donated and an obligation-free gift.

Beautiful baskets for sale...

This is part of the Northey Street city farm. I could hear the gentle clucking of chickens coming from somewhere behind that rainbow coloured fence...

This is the nursery.  You can't believe the variety of plants they have for sale here.  To be honest I always get so over-whelmed that I can't decide what to buy and leave empty handed. 

Beautiful stationary, pencils, christmas cards, post cards.  I was in heaven. These guys are called Gumnut Hill, eco-friendly stationery (I know because they gave me a free bookmark- what is it about these markets....full of beautiful people who want to give you things...perfect) and you can check out their website at wwwgumnuthill.com.au