Saturdays at Salamanca Market.

Every Saturday, more than 300 local stallholders line the cobblestone streets for the Salamanca market in Hobart. The weekly event operates in rain, hail or shine, beginning early at 8:30am and attracting some 40 000 visitors over the course of the day until its closure at 3pm. Fortunately, Salamanca market runs every week of the year, only ever being cancelled in extreme weather conditions.

Getting to Salamanca Market: If you’re staying within walking distance, this is definitely the easiest and best way to get to the market.. Salamanca Place is closed to vehicles between 5:30am to 6pm so avoid driving as your chances of securing a park nearby are low.

I suggest rising early if you’re hoping to avoid the mass crowds which make navigating the two-way streets slow. The best fresh baked goods are also usually the first to disappear and nobody wants that heartache.

Many of the local stall holders are pleasantly friendly and kindly answered many of my curiously random questions relating to their products. There’s a saying that it’s best to try before you buy, and by try I’m talking about subtly gravitating towards the numerous stall owners who generously offer free samples and taste testers.

Fudge, chocolate, jam, honey, cheese….Of course I didn’t want to offend anyone and decline their kind offers and neither should you.  

Another great feature of the Salamanca market is that a lot of stalls also offer smaller-sized versions of their products. Instead of having to make the tough decision of selecting a single flavour of fudge, I was able to choose several different flavours of mini fudge pieces for only $2 each. I also bought several different mini dessert tarts, face creams and chutneys. Perfect if you’re looking to create a small gift hamper to take back for loved ones at home whilst supporting local producers and designers in Tasmania.

Tasmanian timber designs, ceramics, art and clothing are also worth strolling the streets for. I purchased a beautifully hand crafted wooden cheeseboard and knife set to take back home and if I wasn’t already well above my luggage weight I would have tried to ram a timber chopping board in as well.

Make sure your stomach is empty upon arrival, taking full advantage of the many food trucks and delicacies on offer. Long lines endlessly exist outside Top Nosh which dishes up hot plates of fried tempura mushrooms, alongside the Silver Hill Fish truck which serves juicy salmon and ocean trout sausages for $8 each.

You’ll never consume too many carbs at the Salamanca market, with Pigeon Hole bakers frequently being one of the first to quickly sell out of their rustic bread loaves. American style bagels at Bury Me Standing are another baked good which is always in high demand, with the vegan beetroot bagel filled with oozing lemon curd being deliciously popular.

Several of my other favourite stands included Walnutter which offers natural and creamy walnut butters, along with The House of Fudge. Expect a premium price tag for the premium product however with 100 gram bars being priced at $8 each. It’s well worth reaching deep into the pockets for though, being my pick of the lot amongst all of the fudge stands. And trust me when I say that I took one for the team and completed the dreaded task of tasting every fudge stall. I know, so thoughtful of me….

P.S. If you’re a huge fan of past My Kitchen Rules contestant Henry Terry (umm who isn’t a fan?!?), pay a visit to Tasmanian Truffles where you can meet the drop dead gorgeous home cook in the flesh. Surprisingly he’s actually a truffle farmer and yes he is as angelic as the show constructed him to be.

If you’re road tripping onwards around the small island of Tasmania, it’s well worth stocking up on the inexpensive organic fresh fruit and vegetables also available at the market. Pair the harbour views with several varieties of crisp apples, creamy camembert, freshly picked berries, local cider and a warm loaf of baked bread to create a picnic worth remembering.

For those wanting to explore the Salamanca market thoroughly and all it has to offer, I recommend allowing upwards of 2 hours to prevent being rushed. Make sure you try and time your visit to Hobart to fall on a Saturday, especially if you’re only planning to be in town for several days. Let me know below in the comments what your favourite stalls at the Salamanca markets were and whether you managed to become a self-proclaimed fudge expert.

Until next time,

G xx