Sydney Flower Market at dawn

What it is

The Sydney Flower Market is a large hall within the Sydney Markets complex at Flemington, in the west of the city. Growers from the hills and coast of New South Wales sell directly from their own stands, next to wholesalers of imported flowers. Florists arrive from five in the morning, and the public may buy too. Besides roses, lilies and tulips you see what is distinctly Australian: waratahs, banksias, kangaroo paws, flannel flowers, wattle, flowering gum and bunches of eucalyptus foliage. Christmas brings red Christmas bush, and Mother's Day in May brings a mountain of chrysanthemums.

Before you go

• Arrive very early. Most stands have sold out and packed up by mid-morning.
• Bring cash and something to carry flowers in.
• It is closed on Sundays as a rule. Check trading days.

The flowers you will see

ChrysanthemumAutumn-blooming flower with thousands of varieties, cherished in East Asia and beyondRoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many colours

Also part of it, and being written: Telopea speciosissima, Banksia, Anigozanthos, Acacia pycnantha.

More in Sydney

🇦🇺 Sydney · All yearRoyal Botanic Garden SydneyA harbourside garden founded in 1816, beside the Opera House, with native and exotic collections. 🇦🇺 Perth · Jul to OctWildflower country north of PerthA spring road trip through the wheatbelt and coast of Western Australia, among carpets of everlastings. 🇦🇺 Perth · Aug to NovKings Park and the Western Australian Botanic GardenA bushland park above Perth with a botanic garden devoted to the flora of Western Australia. 🇦🇺 Grafton · Oct to NovGrafton Jacaranda FestivalA river town in New South Wales whose avenues of jacarandas flower for a long-running festival. 🇦🇺 Canberra · Sep to OctFloriade in CanberraAustralia's big spring bulb show, a month of tulips and annuals in a lakeside park. 🇦🇺 Melbourne · All yearRoyal Botanic Gardens MelbourneA landscaped garden of lakes, lawns and long views on the south bank of the Yarra.