Sunday Island Markets on Norfolk Island – Week 7

Wind, Rain or Shine, the Sunday Island Markets are on every week at the Bi-Centennial Centre, next to the Norfolk Island Information Centre and Norfolk Island Liquor Bond.

During the past month I visited the Sunday Island Markets a few times and took photographs of the stalls and chatted with the local stall holders and some of the visitors enjoying the sunny Sunday mornings. I was invited to write a few words about the Norfolk Island Sunday Island Markets and this week I will share a few photos of the stalls. The local stall holders enjoy meeting visitors as they stroll around the Bi-Centennial Centre grounds.

A couple of weeks ago, I met Coral with her hand-crafted locally Plaited Hats which are a special part of Norfolk Island culture. Coral has a lovely collection of her beautiful Plaited Hats and prices start from $100. These hats can be taken off island and Coral and can advise what the hat is made from. She told me that she handcrafts them from scratch, the process takes about 25 hours from preparing the materials and plaiting and stitching them to form a beautiful hat. She starts with harvesting and preparing the materials then she makes the lovely hats using Pandanus, Day Lilly, Dreacena Palm, Cutti Grass and Bullrush Leaf. It is always advisable to declare the hats on your boarder entry forms if flying overseas.

Another regular at the Sunday Island Markets is Debby with her lovely jewellery and cards. Fired Passion is the name of Debby’s Island Market stall, and she has been busy creating beautiful jewellery, these are made from porcelain, she has pendants, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and more. These are handmade here in Norfolk Island along with her original art cards. I am sure you will enjoy browsing and choosing a lovely gift for yourself or a friend.

Island Sea Glass stall is another locally crafted Norfolk Island gifts. Michelle makes Gift cards, magnets, and envelopes. Each piece is carefully designed by hand creating unique and personalised gifts using sea glass from the beautiful shores on Norfolk Island, with help from her son Arlo. It is interesting to think this glass has a link to the historic past of Norfolk Island and these pieces of glass have been warn smooth from many years in the sea water on the shoreline of Norfolk Island.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy a stroll around the stalls, which have a large variety of Norfolk Island souvenirs, arts, and crafts, from locally crafted wooden items, homemade local jellies, and pickles, along with artwork, tee-shirts, gift cards, soaps, clothing, Jewellery, crystals and so much more.

Sunday Island Markets are open 8.30 to 11am and parking is available at Rawson Hall vehicle parking area or the roadside car parks. The Bi-Centennial Centre is closed to public parking during the hours of the Sunday Island Markets, for public safety.

Enjoy your Sunday morning stroll around the vendors stalls, you can purchase lovely gifts to take home, from beautiful, handcrafted jewellery, recycled items made into beautiful gifts, or enjoy some fresh local produce and baking for a picnic lunch. There is something for everyone at the Norfolk Island Sunday Island Markets, remember to bring cash, as many stall holders may not have

card facilities.

There is even a Facebook page, Like the page and keep up to date with details of the variety of stalls and the interesting items they sell. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095610120914

Spring has arrived and the weather is warming up, so the Island Markets is a great place to head to and enjoy another lovely sunny day with lots of visitors at

the Sunday Island Markets. As I have been invited to write a few words about the stall vendors, it was great to see the stalls all set up and each visit I have noticed a few new faces, who had stalls I had not photographed on my first visits. It will be fun to share the stories of the wonderful items and local crafts the Norfolk Islanders have available for sale. Remember to check out my articles in the weeks to come.

Betty Matthews

22 September 2023