There are several important markets in Sydney, the Fish Market, and next must-visit is Paddy’s Market. Paddy’s market is located very opposite to Sydney Chinatown. If you are coming by train, Central Station is the stop and walk for 10 mins to reach Paddy’s market. It is Sydney’s biggest markets with over thousands of stalls in two locations, Haymarket and Flemington. Flemington paddy’s Market is a large site with more vegetables and fruits. Over here in Haymarket which is opposite of Sydney China town, it has more of souvenirs, such as sheepskin, Aboriginal arts, Australian nugget sweet, nuts, key chains, handicrafts, sunglasses, and clothes. The selections of things are so huge. You name it and they have it.
When I was working in Sydney years ago, the markets only open three days a week, that is on Friday, Saturday and Sunday but now the markets open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 6:00pm. I guess business is good and more tourists know where to hunt the cheap souvenirs to bring back home.
Paddy Market is located in the basement of Market City building. The first, second and third floors are retail shop and restaurants. If you want more expensive stuff, then visit the higher floor in Market city with a more posh layout. Over here in Paddy’s market at the basement, hundreds of stalls selling cheap and affordable stuff.
Paddy’s Market is also one of Sydney’s most famous indoor markets for fresh vegetables, fish and meat! Price is cheap compared to the supermarket. We use to get our fresh vegetable, meat and fish here but my mom complains that the food was getting more expensive recent few years so she goes to Campsie to get her fresh food instead.
Some history background, the Market City (“Paddy’s Market”) and site is considered to be of heritage significance for its historical and social values. The site and facades (refer to below picture) of the buildings look stunning and listed n the National Estate. It was first used as first steam machinery in Australia installed in mills previously on the site. It started as early as 1834 when Governor Bourke decided to move traders in hay and grain to a site next to the new cattle market in Campbell Street, Sydney.
Final thoughts:
Sydney Paddy’s market is a great place to hunt for the Australia souvenirs. You never know what you will find here. It has hundreds of stalls for you to dig and hunt for a very reasonable price. Do include Paddy’s Market in your itinerary as it is only opposite of Sydney Chinatown.
17 comments
i keep a list of must-dos on my travel bucket list and will add this to my Australia list. Maybe one day I will make it there.
Dear Leah,
At least you know where to get the cheap and affordable souvenirs.
I have a friend visiting Sydney at the moment and this post is going to be so helpful to them. thanks for sharing!
My favorite part of any of our trips is always shopping for souvenirs. I love to find places like this where you can buy cute things without spending a fortune.
Things sold here usually aren’t too expensive, from Aussie sheep’s skin to cute koala and kangaroo keychains.
This is so cool! What a great place in Sydney to shop for souvenirs.
Dear Suzanne,
You are right, you can find all type of Aussie related souveniers here.
Dear Suzanne,
You are right, you can find all type of Aussie related souvenirs here.
Paddy’s Market sounds like an amazing place to wander around and discover the unexpected. It reminds me of the Dong Xuan Center in Berlin. So fun!
Dear Luci,
I have been to Berlin (too see the Berlin Wall and the Kiss) but I have never been to Dong Xuan Center. Glad to learn there is such places in Berlin.
I am planning a trip to Sydney later in the year. I would love to visit Paddy’s Market. Sounds like a really nice place to shop.
Is located in the basement of Market City and they have hundreds of stalls selling all kind of stuff.
I’m such a market person, so I love the sound of this one in Sydney. It’s cool they also sell groceries, as I always like having a look at the local fresh food and fish. I’ll remember this for when I eventually get to visit Oz.
Dear Lisa,
The food in the fresh markets sell cheaper than the supermarket!
So many things to love about Sydney! It’s really beautiful out there. Truly a bucket list material.
Looks like a fabulous place to stop by and check out! I love markets like this.
I love cheap souvenirs so would love to visit Sydne’s Paddy’s Market to see what they sell there.