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LOCAL PRODUCE, FARM GATES & MARKETS

Think of Carnarvon as WA's gourmet hamper, packed with every kind of delicious fresh produce from seafood to luscious fruit and vitamin-packed veggies. Local producers and growers sell a huge selection – at weekly markets (according to the time of year), in local stores and from the farm gate - from Sweeter Carnarvon bananas to rock melon, seafood to mangos. They’re endlessly creative too, making preserves, jams, ice creams and sauces from their produce. One thing’s for sure: you won’t go hungry during your stay.

FOOD BOWL OF WA

If you’ve eaten at many of WA’s restaurants, particularly in Perth’s newly burgeoning foodie scene, the chances are you’ll have been served food from Carnarvon and its surrounds. Whether it’s sweet Carnarvon melon, Shark Bay seafood or Sweeter Bananas in your smoothie, it’s fair to say that the farmers and plantation owners in the region have helped put food on the plate of millions of people over the years. If you’re in Carnarvon from May to October, head to the town centre as, every Saturday, it comes alive with the Gascoyne Growers’ Markets. The market is a run by the growers themselves, who often pick their produce the night before the market (sometimes even that very morning) to ensure you take home the freshest, tastiest produce in WA.

You’ll find locally made preserves and jams (try Nella’s Preserves - her bean relish and mango sauce are legendary, while Jackie's Gascoyne Tropical Fruit preserves and fruit leather showcase the family farm’s fruit perfectly). A visit to the markets makes it very clear why the Gascoyne has the well earned reputation of being the ‘food bowl of WA’, with a surprisingly diverse range of fruit and vegetables, lush tropical fruits, eggs and seafood on offer. Fill your basket then grab a coffee and some breakfast, listen to the buskers, or browse through the adjacent arts and craft market. The Gascoyne Growers Markets are proudly plastic bag free, so please remember to BYO bag.

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

After seeing up to 60 per cent of all fresh grown produce go to waste in Carnarvon’s horticultural district, local plantation owner Jo Bumbak decided to take action. Working with local growers, Jo rescued fruit and vegetables deemed too unappealing for sale in supermarkets - using produce which would have otherwise been dumped and left to rot. In 2017, Bumbak’s Preserves and Ice Creams bought 36 tonnes of fresh mango, banana, tomato, chilli and capsicum and turned them into award-winning products for sale.

THAT'S BANANAS

Carnarvon was the first place in Australia where bananas were grown. These days Carnarvon is recognised as the place where the tastiest and sweetest bananas are grown. Sweeter Banana is the brand developed so that consumers can identify and purchase their bananas of choice. It was joined by the Original Lunchbox Banana brand to help differentiate Carnarvon’s bananas from Tropical North Queensland Bananas.

FRUIT LOOP

During the months of May to October take a drive the so-called Fruit Loop which line the banks of the Gascoyne River. Honesty stalls on the side of the road have a wide range of produce available to purchase. Bring cash (there’s no EFTPOS) and plenty of coins. Products can be second grade produce but this doesn’t make a difference to its taste.

CHOCOLATE HEAVEN

Many plantation shops have a clever way of using second-grade produce and what better way to disguise the less aesthetically beautiful fruit than slathering it in chocolate? So think chocolate-covered mangoes, strawberries and bananas. If you’re keen to go off piste in the flavour department, don’t miss Morel’s Black Sapote ice-cream - it’s a natural chocolate pudding-flavoured fruit topped with milk or white chocolate. Morel’s is open from late April to October.

TRAVELLING TO CARNARVON? PLEASE DON'T BRING FRUIT.

Fruit fly is a major horticultural pest that we are trying to eradicate from Carnarvon. You are welcome, but please don't bring your fruit. Click here to read more about Mediterranean Fruit Fly eradication project in Carnarvon.