Hall Markets

If you are looking for something to do on a Sunday morning try out the Hall Markets, but don’t worry, they don’t start until 10am and they continue until 3pm so you have plenty of time for a sleep-in.

The Hall markets have become a Canberra institution, operating on the first Sunday of the month for the last 25 years in the historic ACT border village of Hall. It’s only a 5 minute drive from the Belconnen town centre but may well be a million miles from Belconnen’s brutalist concrete environment.

The markets are predominately an arts and crafts market but have a wide array of products and are an ideal place to find that quirky gift, such as a garden ornament made from corrugated iron or horseshoes, or soap that looks good enough to eat. If you are looking for a particular piece of outdoor furniture or finely turned piece of timber then this is not a bad place to start.

Over time the markets have become more commercial due to a relaxation of stallholder restrictions but the current manager, Leonie Mayberry of Hartley Lifecare, says that that there is a current focus to return the markets to its handmade products tradition. While commercial stallholders currently make up approximately 30% of the 250 or so stalls, a waiting list has been instituted to ensure a re-balance occurs over time.

These markets attract a wide array of sellers from the aforementioned woodworkers to produce wholesalers, and many sellers looking for a niche market from exotic spice blends, pet services and treats, mosaic garden decorations to vegan bakeries and a wide array of fashions.

Sellers come from far and wide to the markets, attracted by the large crowds and prospects of sales. Adrian Godschalx is one such stallholder.

Adrian leaves Batemans Bay before sunrise to travel to the markets and returns home late on the Sunday night. For the last 6 months he has manned a stall selling a wide array of pre-packaged cooking spices under the Spices Down Under label while his friend who has been coming for years is unable to make it. It is one of many markets he attends including Albury, Wagga, Kiama and Moruya. Other stallholders come from as far as Melbourne to be part of this event.

Adrian’s big tip is to come in fine weather, a sound recommendation with which I would agree. While the Hall showground’s are a pleasant place on a fine day they could quickly become miserable in bad weather. There is little shelter available and I would also advise wearing a hat, sunscreen and good walking shoes as there is little shade as you traverse the markets.

There is a range of food available, including sausages and steak sandwiches from the Hartley volunteer-manned canteens as well as a limited range of hot food stalls. Get here as early as you can as on a nice day as the traffic lines start early and while there are plenty of parking spaces on-site – for a small donation – you may end up some distance from the markets.

The villages itself is tiny but worth a wander after the markets as a few cafes cater for those searching for a coffee or something stronger to help their recuperation after a pleasant day’s shopping.

The income from these markets is the main source of revenue for Hartley Lifecare along with its annual cycle ride from Canberra to Mt Kosciusko. Hartley Lifecare provides support for approximately 100 families in the ACT and surrounds including through the provision of housing and respite care and a number of other programs to assist those with complex and physical disabilities to live fulfilling lives. The markets are run largely by a dedicated volunteer workforce of 20 volunteers, a number of whom have been coming every month for over 25 years.