Newcastle City Farmers Market has been a Hunter region institution since it took up residence at the Newcastle Showground in early 2005, drawing up to 8,500 visitors a week at its peak. Run by NSW Farmers Market Pty Ltd - one of Australia's earliest farmers market operators, trading since 1999 - this is a proper paddock-to-plate market where you can talk to the farmer who grew your food, the cheesemaker who pressed the wheels, and the baker who pulled the loaves from the oven before dawn. The stall mix spans a serious range: certified organic and conventional produce, pastured meats, fresh seafood, charcuterie, cheeses from goat to dairy, handmade pasta, patisserie, and an international street-food lane covering Colombian, Lebanese, Tibetan and Greek fare. Beyond fresh produce you'll find handcrafted quilts, hemp clothing, wooden toys, fair-trade goods, and specialty coffee.