Noosa Marina and Markets announces closure after 26 years

As a longstanding weekend market prepares to hold it’s last event, blaming changing consumer behaviour, other Sunshine Coast markets have reported a summer holiday crowd resurgence.

A longstanding and popular Noosa market will hold their final event this weekend, saying online shopping has impacted sales amid a fast-evolving industry.

In a social media post, Noosa Marina and Markets said they extended loyal shoppers a “heartfelt goodbye” as they prepare to host their final market event on Sunday, January 19.

General manager at the marina, Warren Smith, said online shopping had played a role in the decline of the markets.

“We noticed a real decline since Covid, and we lost a number of stall holders who either just gave up the markets through fear of contracting something or they became internet-savvy and started selling stuff online,” Mr Smith said.

Commenters were quick to suggest the market could move to a nearby site.

“I’m all for continuing the markets nearby. People who shop at markets don’t shop online. We’re more of a community feel sort of crowd who comes to actually see what we’re buying and connect with familiar stall holders,” one person commented.

However, Mr Smith said it wasn’t as simple as moving the markets down the road, adding the logistics and fees meant it was unlikely the markets would return in a new spot in the future.

“We are looking at this in a positive way, we now have a beautiful marina without the clutter of marquees, we have more opportunities with music and entertainment now, and it will certainly free up the car parking,” Mr Smith said.

The Sunshine Coast Collective Markets remain open at Alexandra Headland.

The news from the Noosa Marina and Markets comes after the Coolum Markets, operated by the Sunshine Coast Collective Markets, were also closed last year.

An email announcing the closure of the Coolum market described the poor weather conditions and increasing costs as major factors behind the decision.

“With the current economic downturn and personal change of season in our own lives, we have decided to pivot the focus of the Sunshine Coast Collective Markets from Coolum to our Alex and Homemaker pop-up markets,” the announcement stated.

“A culmination of factors that many of you are aware of; an incredibly wet start to the year leading into the slowest winter we have ever had, major drop offs in both foot traffic and stall bookings.”

However, for the owner of Sunshine Coast Music and Events, Lea Taylor, the eight markets she operates across the region have never been busier.

Ms Taylor said while there were challenges, including the high amount of rain in 2024, the summer holiday season had seen a “huge increase” in people visiting the events at Peregian Beach, Cotton Tree and Coolum.

“We get a good feel through our event teams on the ground, as to what is working and what isn’t, and we adapt accordingly to ensure that all the stakeholders get something positive out of our events,” Ms Taylor said.