Salamanca Market celebrates 50 years of local produce, artists and entertainment

From local buskers to public protests, royal visits and more — Tasmania’s most popular tourist attraction has featured many familiar faces over its 50 years. SEE THE PHOTOS

Adam Brooks and Zakori Grzinic of Captain Bligh's fine beverages stall. 50th year of Salamanca Market. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hobart’s iconic Salamanca Market has finally been able to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary in style after months of postponements due to Covid.

Street performers and even a giant birthday cake joined the 230 stallholders lining Salamanca Place on Saturday, while throngs of locals and tourists alike turned out in force to celebrate the milestone.

Salamanca Market, Hobart – Tasmania travel markets aerials

Salamanca Market vegetable seller, Willie Black, selling his goods at the market, First Published 23/7/1983, Negative Number R6537/1

The City of Hobart pulled out all the stops after being forced to reschedule festivities planned for earlier this year.

The market was the first stop of the day for friends Dana Fish and Karla Clancy, who made the trip down from Sydney for the weekend.

Friends visiting from Sydney Dana Fish and Karla Clancy shopping at the market. 50th year of Salamanca Market. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The two friends, who visited the market last time they were in Hobart, made a beeline for Tassie’s famous scallop pie as soon as they arrived.

“I love the atmosphere and the different produce,” Ms Fish said.

“It’s that sentimental value as well, like I bought this dress in Tasmania at the Salamanca Market. I love that dress so much and I bought a handbag that is going to remind me of the markets too.”

Ms Clancy added the market was perfect for Christmas shopping.

Stall holder Adam Brooks, of Hobart brewery Captain Bligh’s, has been showcasing his whiskey, gin and beer products at the market for four years.

“This is the one opportunity that we really get to sell our products,” Mr Brooks said.

“It can be pretty daunting at first because you’re showcasing what you make to the public but, you know, 90 per cent of the time that feedback is really great so it can be a pretty good experience with people really enjoying your stuff and taking home a bottle or two,” Mr Brooks said.

Published 22/01/1972, the first Salamanca Market ran by the Hobart City Council (HCC) for a season of 16 weeks,

City Futures Director at City of Hobart Katy Cooper said it was wonderful to celebrate how long the market has been running, and acknowledge the contribution of the city and stall holders to Tassie’s number one tourist destination.

Salamanca Markets throughout the years

Hobart, January 17, 2004. Mary Donaldson and her then-fiance Prince Frederik of Denmark take a shopping stroll in Hobart's Salamanca Market prior to the wedding of Mary's sister Patricia (AAP Image/Craig Brown)

FEBRUARY 14, 2004: Governor General Michael Jeffery with his wife Marlena at the Salamanca market in Hobart, where he bought her a glass beaded necklace for $150 for Valentine's Day. Pic Raoul Kochanowski. Jeff/fam

David and Felicity Jurasovic of Margate meeting the human statue at Salamanca Market

Retail Salamanca Market Tara Britcliffe from Huon Road busking

Music Salamanca Market busking at the market in Wooby's Lane are guitarists Tristan Holubnytschyj on left and Mark Kluver

Protest Hector the Protector Neil Innes Smith environmentalist and forest activist protests against his imminent jail term behind bars at Salamanca Market

Ingvar Nilsson one of the original sellers at Salamanca Market

Busker at Salamanca Market sword swallower Sam Clark of Launceston performing his sword swallowing act

Salamanca Market, Eva Schroter 8 of New Town busks for the first time with her cello

Salamanca Market, Christoph Farrell 27 of South Hobart tries on a pair of ugg boots

Antarctic Midwinter Festival, ice sculptor Kenji Ogawa at Salamanca Market watches Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine add some detail to an ice carving of Hobart's GPO clock

23/11/2006. Crown Princess Mary with son Christian at Salamanca Market, Hobart.

Snake Man, Ian Davies, attracts a crowd of onlookers on the lawns of Salamanca Market as he shows a Tasmanian copperhead snake

Ten (10) Days on the Island Festival, The Roo'd trio (bouncing kangaroos) at Salamanca Market

Fast food franchises Hobart waterfront area, protest petition at Salamanca for a blanket ban on fast-food franchises for the waterfront area, Salamanca Market stallholder Bill Harvey, left, obtains the signature of Fishbowl co-owner Matthew Bricknell

Salamanca Market, Ellie Woodward (3) of Bellerive on her way to the Faerie Shop in Salamanca

Annual Hobart Zombie March from Salamanca Place to Hobart CBD, living dead Roisin Kyne walking through Salamanca Market

Former Miss World Belinda Green, 58, of Cowra, New South Wales (NSW) back in Tasmania for a holiday, at Salamanca Market

Published 22/01/1972 Salamanca Market opening,

Michelle Dyer at her stall Harvest Feast at the Salamanca Market. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

Crowds at Salamanca Market. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Celebrity UK chef Ainsley Harriott filming at Salamanca Market for his TV series. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Linda and Justin Fry who operate stall Salamanca Woodcraft at the Salamanca Markets. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Annalee Jarvis oyster shucker with Lease 69 Oysters who will attend the Dover Seafood Festival. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Masks at Salamanca market, Emily Ward and Bec Ward of Brisbane. Picture: Richard Jupe

Boxing Day Salamanca Market 2021. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones