Rusty’s Markets in Cairns, Australia, is a vibrant local icon, offering fresh tropical produce, international street food, artisan goods, and a lively atmosphere. It reflects the city’s multicultural spirit and is a favourite gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

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Since moving to Cairns, I often visit Rusty’s Market for fresh produce. It’s a fraction of the cost of supermarkets and offers incredible variety. I always find myself coming home with something new to try, inspired by the vibrant local flavours.

Rusty’s Market has been around for 50 years. Trucks loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers arrive from 3am Thursday to Sunday. Soon after, stallholders arrive with trolleys and forklifts to collect their designated produce.

There are the usual trinkets you will find at a market, perfect for some bling or a gift if you are visiting.

The tropical environment produces an abundance of exotic fruit. Dragon fruit, rambutans, lychees, mangosteens, pineapples, nectarines and jackfruit are readily available, all offered at great quality and surprisingly reasonable prices, reflecting the richness of the region’s fertile growing conditions.

Several varieties of bananas thrive in this region. Cavendish, the most popular in Australia, is sold alongside Lady Fingers, Sugar Sweet bananas, and plantains, locally known as cooking bananas, showcasing their diversity.

While the hands of ginger are a steal at $25 a kilo (I’m used to paying up to $45 at the supermarket), the cassava also catches my eye and I’m already thinking… cassava chips?

Of course, what tropical market wouldnt have coconuts and watermelons for sale?

There is also a variety of Asian greens, bok choy, pak choy and choy sum…

For a snack I grab a chicken satay from Tawan Kitchen which serves ‘authentic Thai food’. Its darn delicious, the right amount of satay against the peanut sauce, and at the price of $4, its a good value snack!

At lunch time, I head to SumTum Thai and Laos Street Food. Their green papaya (Som Tom) salad is unbeatable, which is pounded in the mortal and pestle right in front of you.

I opt for no chilli to be added but it has snake beans, mung beans, a few cherry tomato halves and roasted peanuts. The fish sauce and lime make it fresh, zesty, and bursting with flavour, it’s the perfect refreshing dish to enjoy in the warmth of the tropics.

Of course, I had to sample some classic Australian and Far North Queensland meats. I tried the pork, camel and crocodile salami, which had a pleasant spicy kick. The beef, emu and kangaroo salami, however, was especially delicious, so I didn’t hesitate to take one home.

So here is my haul from my last visit, four lemons ($2), four limes ($2), four passionfruit ($3), a pineapple ($5), beef, kangaroo and emu salami ($15) and from the same stall a loaf of garlic and olive bread ($5), which had large soft chunks or garlic and olives. It was delicious just lightlyu toasted with some butter!

Open Thursday to Sunday, if you’re in Cairns, see you next week at Rusty’s!

Rusty’s Market

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