PLEASE NOTE: As of March 17, 2020, these markets are temporarily closing in response to restrictions related to COVID-19. Sydney Boutique Markets will continue to promote their stallholders on Facebook, where you can also stay tuned for updates.
Rather than simply build a monstrous shopping mall, the GPT Group built Rouse Hill Town Centre: a series of connected covered shopping arcades and streets, with plenty of open public areas, a playground, Reading Cinemas, restaurants and a central square with a bunch of fountains perfect for little ones to splash around in. Basically, they’re built a shopping area that’s responsive to the local weather conditions and is easy to visit (there’s a huge underground parking zone) without the artificial atmosphere of an indoor mall. Kudos, GPT Group!
The main square hosts an organic food and farmers’ market every Saturday, and on the first Sunday of the month they close off Main Street for the Sydney Boutique Markets: more than 50 stalls selling womenswear, kidswear, jewellery, candles and the like. When Time Out drops by a couple of cheesy rides are set up for the kids, and there’s a busker warbling anodyne pop songs, but there is little here that makes it worth the journey, unless you happen to live in the area. One fun stall specialises in fancy kids’ lunchboxes, and if you need a baby’s bib that looks like a tuxedo or are hankering after a henna tattoo, then by all means head on down from 10am to 4pm.