I love the Coledale Markets.

"At Coledale Market you stroll around ready to receive. And receive you usually do, if you can stop talking to the other customers long enough to rifle through the stalls of pre loved clothes, books, earrings, crockery, paintings, beautiful handmade knits and soaps. If you can withstand the scent of curry and coffee, fresh bread & cakes, you can get some serious shopping done. This is the kind of market I love-- one which celebrates the handmade, home-cooked and recycled.” Kerry O’Connor, quoted on The Garden blog

I will travelling via bus to Wollongong and a train from Wollongong Station. I had always thought the markets were too far to get to without a car. After some research, including a visit to the Transport Infoline website,  I am informed otherwise. According to the information provided by 131500.com, the Coledale Market location is only 400 metres from the train station, housed in the Coledale Public School.

I have added the market dates to the Illawarra Food Calendar for easy reference. You can print out the information or add it to your own Google Calendar.

There will be a stall run by the Auslets Sydney & Illawarra branch of which I am a member.
Auslets is a Community Trade Scheme.  For more information about visit Sydney & Illawarra Auslets 

A sample itinerary from Warilla Grove Shopping Center to Coledale Markets on Sunday April 25th


For more information visit Wollongong Markets blog.

Image by The Garden North Gong

Links:
http://bit.ly/illawarrafoodcalendar 
http://www.auslets.org/sydney/
http://wollongongmarkets.squarespace.com/
http://thegardennorthgong.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html Tweet This

After watching How To Train A Dragon 3D movie (which was fantastic!) at Shellharbour Cinemas we went off in search of some good coffee. I suggested Coffee Guru at Shellharbour Square ( also known as Stocklands Shellharbour) after a short drive from the cinemas. My sister Renee was once a barista there and  I could heartily recommend it for great coffee, iced coffee and chai lattes.

We entered the store as a party of 10 which included seven adults and two children. Five of the adults moved to the comfy lounges and I moved the three children (Siobhan, Adrian & Friend) to some tables and chairs nearby. I ordered a Moccacino and loved it.  The cappuccinos, chai latte, soy latte and iced chocolates went down well with my party although there was the general consensus that they could have been hotter.

Tweet This

Tweet This

Tweet This

I first stumbled upon The Chocolate Shoppe in 2008 when it was located in Shellharbour Village. I instantly fell in love with the charming shop which sells a wide range of chocolates as well as hot beverages.

On my birthday my Mother gave me some money to purchase some chocolates as a present. I talked with the owners and took many photos of the chocolates before selecting ten to purchase and  take home.

"Chocoholics unite! My Chocolate Shoppe is the place to go. You simply won't be able to resist their selection of handmade chocolates. Relax at the Chocolate Cafe and enjoy a hot chocolate made from Belgian chocolate." (Illawarra Food Reviews, 2009)

 I love the many varieities sampled and enjoyed the quirky shapes such as red lips, penguins, pyramids, cupcakes and more.



2009 range of chocolates

And some photos from The Chocolate Shoppe's Facebook page


The owner of My Chocolate Shoppe Tricia Dwyer in front of the store back in 2009



Tweet This

--
Posted By Vanessa to Illawarra Food Reviews at 4/12/2010 01:28:00 PM Tweet This

Markets

A variety of markets are available in Shellharbour and the Illawarra Region, ranging from arts and crafts to fresh local produce.

SHELLHARBOUR

Shellharbour Village Markets
Shellharbour Public School, Mary Street,
Shellharbour
Ph: 02 4295 1334 or 0400 412 963
Held: Every 2nd Sunday of each month 9am to 2pm
General Information: Located in the school grounds. All weather markets.

KIAMA

Gerringong Village Markets
Old School Park, Gerringong
Ph: Neil Miller 02 4234 1494.
Held: 3rd Saturday of every month
General Information: Markets showcasing locally produced art, craft, food and entertainment. This is a Gerringong Sunrise Rotary Fundraising Event.

Jamberoo Country Art & Craft Market
Kevin Walsh Oval, Churchill Street,
Jamberoo
Ph: 02 4236 0372
Held: The last Sunday of the month 10am to 4pm
General Information: enjoy the country atmosphere.
A wide variety of stalls to browse through, with lots to see.
Jamberoo Arts & Craft Markets has something for everyone.

Kiama Produce Market
Black Beach, Kiama
Ph: Judy McCumstie 0438 387 387.
Held: Every 4th Saturday of the month 8am to 1pm
General Information:. Kiama Produce Markets offer delectable gourmet food and produce.

Kiama Seaside Market
Black Beach, Kiama
Ph: Chris & Bobbie English on 02 4232 4110.
Held: Every 3rd Sunday of the Month 9am to 3pm
General Information: The Kiama Seaside Markets showcase locally produced art, craft and produce.


WOLLONGONG

Coledale Markets
Coledale Public School, Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale
Ph: 02 4268 0709 or 024267 1664
Held: Every 4th Sunday of the month 9am to 3pm
General Information: Coledale market is not just a market it’s a community event, there is music and food and conversation.

Dapto Sunday Markets
Dapto Showground
Ph: 0407 919 469
Held: Every Sunday 7am to 1pm
General Information: New and used goods.

Fraternity Club Markets
Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke Street,
Fairy Meadow
Ph: Kiss Events 02 4285 0333
Held: every Thursday 8am to 1pm
General Information: Gourmet foods such as olives, smoked meats, sour dough breads and other fresh foods as well as a variety of goods such as clothing, CDs, jewellery and homewares.

German Club Farmers & Craft Market
German Club, Northcliffe Drive,
Kembla Grange
Ph: Kiss Events 02 4285 0333
Held: Every First and third Saturday of each month – 8am-1pm
General Information: Fresh meat, fruit and veg; farm fresh eggs; organic coffee; hand made soaps; beautiful craft; cakes, jams, chilli; jewellery; plants; etc.


Wollongong Markets
Gipps Street,
Wollongong
Ph: 0423 816 477
Held: Thur & Sat –9am till 3pm, Sunday 10 am to 2 pm
General Information: Craft Markets Located under cover so open rain or shine.

Wollongong Produce And Creative Traders Market
Lower Mall, Crown Street,
Wollongong
Ph: 0425 277 118 or 0422 781 920
Held: Every Friday – 9am till 3pm
General Information: Organic breads fruit & vegies, hand made products, paintings clothes original products.

SHOALHAVEN

Berry Country Fair
Berry Showground, Albany Street,
Berry
Ph: 02 4464 1476
Held: They are held on the 1st Sunday of the month. (Except February - 2nd Sunday) 8am till 2:30pm.

Information provided by Tourism Shellharbour

Tweet This