HOTA markets

HOTA is where you'll find me most Sunday mornings.

While holidaying in Surfers Paradise a couple of years ago, I stumbled upon these markets just as they were closing one Sunday and cursed the fact I hadn't found them sooner - as it looked as if they were worth a visit. I made a mental note to seek them out if I should ever return to the Gold Coast.

When I landed back in Australia after my trip around parts of the globe, I made my way here the very first Sunday after arriving - and now it's almost part of my weekly routine. If it's a drizzly day, I'll race in, grab a coffee and do a quick once-around with my little umbrella. But if it's a Gold Coast stunner - as is most often the case - I'll find a park amongst the hundreds of free parks available adjacent to the HOTA centre (Home of the Arts) - and stay a while. The market opens for business at 6am - and although technically open until 12pm, most of the store-holders seem to have had enough and start packing up by about 11.30 - so it pays to get in early.

The HOTA is located on Bundall Rd, close to the Chevron Island bridge. The easily recognisable Arts building can be seen from quite a distance, and sits beside manicured gardens, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a man-made lake that feeds into the local canals and is suitable for a safe swim. It's basically just a great community parkland and it definitely gets well patronised.

There are several local artists on rotation, serving up chill Sunday sounds next to the lake - and there are shady trees next to the lake for those wanting to escape the sun while listening and enjoying some of the market fare - or plenty of grass area out in the open for the sun-seekers. The market is mostly made up of food stalls, rather than being a 'craft' market, like many of the others here on the Coast and it's heavily weighted towards the organic side of life. I see so many young families here stocking up on fresh fruit and veg, flowers, honey, bulk foods, and fresh baked goods for the week ahead, and it's clearly the local meeting point for weekly catchups with friends and family of all ages. It's dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and wheelchair-friendly. Whether you're up for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or just something to lessen the effects of a big Saturday night in Broadbeach - you're bound to find something to tempt your 'buds. Freshly squeezed juices, coffee caravans, burgers, Dutch pancakes, artisan pastries, filled bagels, Mexi-inspired food, acai bowls, and hot seafood are just some of the things on offer. Plenty of punters pack their own picnics though - and just soak up the vibes from blankets on the grass.

If you're staying in the main part of Surfers Paradise and don't want to drive here - you can walk or bike with easy access either straight off Bundall Rd, or from Chevron Island - across the famed blue bridge. There's also a ferry that runs from and between the Marina near Seaworld and from the bottom of Cavill Ave - so you can really make a morning of it and take in some of the sights on the canal as you come and go from the market. And after the market - don't forget to wander over to the actual HOTA centre and check out their gift shop and whatever exhibitions they currently have running. The icing on the cake is the stunning view you get from the top floor of the Art Centre - where you'll also find The Exhibitionist - a bar and dining area with one of the best views on the Coast.

It's things like this that make the lifestyle here such a buzz - and I feel grateful that stuff like this is on my new doorstep to enjoy. If you're local and didn't know this was here or have just never been - I recommend checking it out on your next available Sunday. If you're a visitor to the GC - you can walk, bike or drive a short distance from the beach to get here - and it's worth stocking up on olives, sourdough, and other goodies to nibble on while you're watching the sunset with wine-in-hand, from your ocean view hotel balcony on our stunning coastline.