Brown Hill Market has ceased operations in Brown Hill and relocated permanently to Zoo Drive (near Lake Wendouree) after being unable to secure a new venue in the Brown Hill area.
Market management had to leave the Brown Hill Hall because the hall and adjacent area weren’t large enough for COVID-safe operations during 2020-21. Other options were explored but nothing suitable could be confirmed. As the market has now grown in size, there are no suitable venues, even with COVID restrictions lifted.
The COVID 19 pandemic caused all markets in Ballarat to close from March until July 2020. Those markets that re-opened had to have a COVID management plan and there have been significant changes to all market operations. The Ballarat Farmers Market moved from the Moneghetti Track around Lake Wendouree to Zoo Drive in the North Gardens Reserve because the new location offered a very large open space. The site has power, proximity to public toilets, abundant green space, parking in both Wendouree Pde and Gillies Rd and the potential for continued increase in stall numbers.
Markets now operate at Zoo Drive on both the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.
We are sorry to leave Brown Hill but had to work with the realities of our situation, which is that the market now has to operate on a large outdoor site.
Brown Hill Market commenced in July 2018 and was an instant success. Stallholders are extremely grateful to the people of Brown Hill who came out to support them. The Brown Hill Market was soon bigger than the Wendouree Ballarat Farmers Market in both stall and visitor numbers. Many Brown Hill residents were able to walk to the market – indeed, some stallholders did as well! THANK YOU Brown Hill for supporting the market. We hope you’ll come check out the new site in Zoo Drive and continue to support the stallholders you’ve loved at Brown Hill.
Background: In July 2018, the Fourth Saturday market which had been at Lake Wendouree for many years relocated to Brown Hill. Nearly all our existing stallholders came over to Brown Hill, so it was instantly a very established market with over 30 stalls. There was then huge interest from new stallholders who joined the Brown Hill Market. Many were locals from Brown Hill. We’ve had great support from the Brown Hill Progress Association and the Brown Hill Community Newsletter.
The Brown Hill community really got behind the market – thank you! The market regularly had over 50 stalls. We invite you to continue to support those stall holders at the new location on Zoo Drive.
