Rusty's Markets — Attraction in Cairns City

Open at the end of the working week to welcome weekend grocery shopping, Rusty's Market is the quintessential hub that showcases local home grown farmers produce and small businesses. Whether you're slowly navigating the endless lines of fruits and vegetables or waiting around for your morning coffee, the market encapsulates the hard work and resilient, caring community rooted in Cairns. For lunch, I purchased Berlin style currywurst and a cheese and beef kransky from the German Sausages food cart. The currywurst shows you the best of two worlds with spicy slices of meaty bratwurst correlating with the sharp bite of the sauerkraut. Even beefier was the kransky loaded with its crispy skin snapping to reveal the delicious meat and hot cheese loaded inside, all tucked in a soft bun. To chase down that rich taste, I could not recommend enough the sugarcane drink stall. You'll notice the stacks of sugarcane and fresh fruit on the ground, ready to be churned and blasted into refreshing summer drinks. On our first visit to the markets, we tried out the sugarcane pineapple with ginger and was immediately slammed by the aromatic ginger. The blow softened by the sour pineapple and sweet sugarcane, the therapeutic drink made it clear that there was no artificial meddling going here. We just came back a second time to try out the classic sugarcane with kumquat and the passionfruit pineapple. The angelic taste of the sugarcane was much more prominent with the zest of the kumquat. Personally, the mix of passionfruit and pineapple was too sour but it nourished me nevertheless. Definitely make room on your schedule to visit Rusty's Market, if the bargain deals for fresh farm produce and food aren't...

Nestled in the heart of Cairns, Rusty's Market is a vibrant and bustling hub of tropical delights. From fresh produce to unique artisanal goods, this market offers a sensory feast for locals and tourists alike. 🌴🥭🍹

Variety of Goods: One of the standout features of Rusty's Market is its diverse range of goods. Visitors can wander through rows of colorful stalls brimming with an array of tropical fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. In addition to fresh produce, the market boasts a selection of homemade jams, chutneys, and baked goods, perfect for those looking to sample local flavors. Artisanal crafts, clothing, and souvenirs are also available, adding to the market's eclectic charm.

Atmosphere: The atmosphere at Rusty's Market is lively and inviting. The sounds of live music mingle with the aromas of freshly cooked food, creating an immersive sensory experience. The market's open-air layout allows visitors to soak up the tropical ambiance while browsing the stalls at their leisure. Friendly vendors are always on hand to offer recommendations and share stories, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Overall Experience: In summary, Rusty's Market is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Cairns. Whether you're a foodie looking to sample tropical delicacies or a shopper in search of unique treasures, the market has something for everyone. With its vibrant atmosphere, diverse range of goods, and friendly vendors, Rusty's Market embodies the essence of tropical...

Locals tell me that Rusty's has lost some of it's shine over the years, but is still a good place to get cheap & good vegetables and fruits if you know where and how to look. There is pretty much no other place in Cairns where you can find such a huge variety of greens, especially for Asian or Italian cooking. Forming good rapport and long term relationships with the vendors also help, if you are a local. Getting past the tourist crowd can sometimes be a bother! The food stalls are generally a disappointment, except for Yokoso at the Sheridan Street end, and Stanpol at the Grafton Street end. There are also a few stalls selling things like organic produce, crystals, potted herbs, coconuts, massage, artisan bread etc. Not all the stalls are open throughout the weekend, but if you do go on a Saturday morning then you're more likely to find a larger variety. During the summer months, vegetables wilt and fruits over-ripen very quickly in the heat, so go look for produce further in where they are not exposed to the afternoon sun. If you visit near closing time on a Sunday (2-3pm), you will find plenty of sharp discounts as vendors are trying to move their stock. However, you will find that the produce will spoil rather easily compared to if you purchase them on Friday - so...