Kyneton Farmers Market

Looking for somewhere to go for the day and don’t mind the drive to get there? Do you like open air markets, fresh produces, craft works and don’t mind some freshly cooked hot food on a cold and rainy day? How about meeting and being welcomed by some of the town local characters?

Well, the Kyneton Farmers Market might be just the place to be for the day and there are more to do at your leisure if you are looking for a B&B for the weekend. There are art galleries and the museum, home wares and home furnishing, crafts, books, nurseries, gift shops, clothing, food and wine from the region that would certainly keep your interest. There is also the Kyneton Mineral Springs, 4 kilometres north-west of the town centre.

Kyneton was once a gold rush town and it is 87 km from the Melbourne CBD, about an hour plus travel time via the Calder Freeway towards the city of Bendigo, taking the Kyneton exit. As an alternative, V/Line trains service Kyneton seven days a week and it is only a 15-minute walk from the train station to the town centre. For the local news and events of Kyneton, go to its community web-site. For some historical and background information of Kyneton, click here.

The farmers market is held on the second Saturday of every month. It is the various Farmers Markets and festivals throughout the year that is making the town popular as a day trip destination. The market is located at Piper Street, the town’s original commercial centre but is now a historical precinct with bluestone buildings, cafes, antique shops and galleries. Kyneton's main shopping strip today is around Mollison Street and High Street.

This market showcases the regions wine and produces. It features a variety of fresh goods such as olive oils, the artisan wood fired bread, pastries and muffins, honeys and homemade jams, herbs and spices, in season fruits and vegetables, plants and flower. There are also some handcrafts on display including knitted hats, scarfs and jewellery. But the most popular stores, especially on a cold rainy morning are the stores that provide on-site cooked breakfast and coffee.

As not every Saturday is the second Saturday of the month, for fresh produce the alternative market along Piper Street, is the indoor Ganim’s Market Fresh. It may not be quite the Coles or the Woolworths of a supermarket, but it does have its own charm as an alternative grocer.

For lunch we opted for The Royal George Hotel. Read an article about the place from The Age Good Food Guide and it has been rated One Chef’s Hat for a number of years.

The following are part of a three course lunch menu for the day; all ingredients are sourced from the regions produces. I found the dishes colourful, well presented and interesting in its taste and texture. For example the foam like sauce over the meat with mashed beetroot is said to include champagne or was it the sauce with the prawns.

For the glass of wine or two, to complement your meal, seek the advice of the waiter.

After lunch, we did a little more exploring of the town and found Osabah along High Street, a quaint little homeware shop with a small jewellery section and a little chocolate outlet that also serves good strong latte. Just the place for a little pick-me-up caffeine fixes before the drive back to Melbourne. Yes, we did pack 12 of the delicious chocolate treats for the journey home.

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