Sunday 30th Nov – Coal Loader Artisans Market

This Sunday I’ll be pitching the Cliffwatcher marquee at the Coal Loader Artisans Market in Waverton. It’s the first time I’ve ever been to these sustainable markets and I’m very excited to be visiting at last!

The Coal Loader is the headquarters for a Centre for Sustainability. Ironic, considering its former use – for most of the 20th century, it was a big coal depot. A few years ago, however, the local community decided to transform this onetime centre for pollution into a greenie’s heaven. Now, the Coal Loader is brimming with organic community gardens, an Aboriginal Bush Foods garden, a chook run and a sustainable artist’s studio. It’s a community hub for all things environmentally friendly and runs numerous workshops on how to “green up your life”.

The Coal Loader Artisans Market is held four times a year. As you’d expect, considering the Coal Loader’s sustainability ethos, the market has a strong focus on environmentally friendly products. There’ll be lots of art, ceramics, jewellery, fashion etc. handmade by local, emerging artists.

I’m really looking forward to meeting other artists/makers who are passionate about sustainable products, and discovering this intriguing, historic site.

If you’re thinking of coming along to visit, make sure you leave time to walk around nearby Berry Island. With its amazing Aboriginal rock engraving and harbour views, this is one of the best spots in Sydney to spend a Sunday arvo.

Coal Loader Artisans Market

Sunday 30th November, 9am – 3pm

2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton

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Sunday 23rd Nov – Frenchs Forest Organic Food Markets

After a couple of months touring various Sydney markets, Cliffwatcher is back at Frenchs Forest Organic Food Markets again this Sunday for one last time before Christmas. I’ve done so much ‘market research’ this year – testing out markets all over the city – but I’ve never found one I love as much as Frenchs Forest.

Tucked away in the back streets off Warringah Road, these sprawling markets are a smorgasbord of the most delicious organic produce available, alongside all sorts of other treats. From honey fresh from the bush, to singing bowls, to traditional Indian dosai for brunch, exploring the stalls here makes for the perfect Sunday morning.

If you’re coming along to visit, be sure to taste test my favourite stall, run by the lovely Philippa. Philippa makes the most divine and surprisingly-flavoured chocolates I’ve ever tasted. Chilli chocolates are her speciality, but I can’t go past anything with sea salt. Yum!

Other favourite stalls to look out for are the bush medicine plant stall, where you can find all sorts of delicious, edible plants with amazing properties to add to your garden; the Peruvian crafts stall, which sells the cutest baby shoes I’ve ever seen; almost anyone selling bread; and the never-ending organic fruit and veg stalls, of course…

So, if you’ve never ventured over the Roseville Bridge to the Forest, come say hi this Sunday!

8am – 1pm at Parkway Hotel, 5 Frenchs Forest Road East, Frenchs Forest