Come weekend, the city thins out. The Macedon Ranges come into view. And just an hour from Melbourne, you’ll find yourself in Woodend, coffee in hand, a basket filling with local produce and live music drifting through the Woodend Community Farmers’ Market.
There’s a reason this little country town has caught the attention of the world. In 2025, Woodend was named one of the Top 3 Farmers Market Towns in the World by the World Farmers Markets Coalition, alongside Rome and Dakar.
90+ stalls, right in the heart of town
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On the first Saturday of every month, the Woodend Community Farmers’ Market takes over the corner of Forest and High Streets from 9am to 1pm. Now in its 12th year, the market brings together more than 90 regular and seasonal stallholders from across the Macedon Ranges and surrounding regions.
There’s fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, cheese, honey, preserves, plants, artisan goods, coffee and plenty of things that were not on the shopping list but somehow end up coming home with you.
This is a VFMA-accredited farmers’ market, meaning stallholders must meet strict producer criteria. In other words, you’re buying directly from the people who grow or make what they sell.
Come for the groceries, stay for the morning
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There’s coffee and hot food, live music where possible, kids’ activities and plenty of room for families, friends and neighbours to catch up. Then there are the community initiatives that make the market feel like much more than a place to shop.
The Home Produce Exchange gives locals a place to swap their homegrown abundance, while sharing tips on how to grow, store and prepare their produce. The Wash Against Waste trailer is also there each month, run by volunteers as part of the market’s goal to reduce disposable waste.
And for anything that’s seen better days, there’s the Woodend Repair Café, which operates from the Undercroft at Woodend Neighbourhood House on market day. Volunteers repair everything from clothing and toys to furniture, bikes and household appliances.
The global recognition might have put Woodend on the map, but it’s the market’s strong sense of community that keeps people coming back. And when it’s right near Melbourne, that’s a pretty good reason to make the trip.
Source: Supplied
Key details
What: Woodend Community Farmers’ Market
Where: Corner of Forest and High Streets, Woodend
When: First Saturday of every month, 9am–1pm
Entry: Free