Handmade treasures by the sea

WORDS by Jamie Jansen
Photos by Skye Young (creatingyourbeautiful.com.au)

It’s just after 11am on a warm Wednesday at the Port Douglas Superyacht Marina. A sea breeze drifts in, cafes are buzzing, and locals are setting up their stalls, each one proudly run by members of the community.

Set alongside the water with stunning ocean and mountain views, the relaxed Marina Market has a charm all its own. With handcrafted treasures at every turn, it’s the perfect place to wander, browse, and unwind.

Join me for a stroll through this colourful, creative midweek market, where every stall tells a local story.

As you arrive at the market, the flutter of hand-printed tea towels in the breeze is the first to catch your eye.

Hoi Polloi Photo Credit Skye Young — Hoi Polloi

The stall is run by fine artist Mary Snodgrass, who draws inspiration from nature to carve her own lino-cut designs and screen-prints by hand using ink colours she blends herself. Made from 100% linen and cotton, they’re the perfect local keepsake.

Just a few steps on, the colour continues at Andrea’s Tropical Wear, where bold, breezy fabrics in tropical colours draw you in.

Andrea and Kevin offer lightweight wraps that can be worn as sarongs, scarves, kaftans, or dresses, designed to suit all shapes and ages, and perfect for travel. Their warm, welcoming nature and love for sharing stories create a connection that keeps market-goers coming back.

The relaxed, friendly energy continues at Henna Body Art, where Peta Campbell is quietly focused, drawing a delicate floral design on someone’s skin.

She hand-makes her henna paste using natural ingredients for a smooth, skin-friendly blend. Visitors can pick from her designs or let her freestyle. The soft stain lasts two to three weeks, a perfect keepsake and a celebration of your tropical sun-kissed skin.

While the henna dries, there’s time to keep wandering. No market feels complete without a tarot reader, and here that role is filled by Tarot Reading by Kerry McCall.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Kerry offers intuitive, insightful readings that explore the year ahead, bringing clarity and gentle guidance. Her calming stall also showcases her handmade artwork and jewellery, each piece adding to the warm, welcoming energy she brings to the market.

Wandering on, the market’s clothing stalls offer plenty of unique finds.

At the colourful stall Hoi Polloi, Jaqui and Sol Williams sell eclectic jackets and dresses made from recycled fabrics; think vintage tablecloths, linen, and lace.

Each piece is shaped by hand by Jaqui, blending whimsical style with Japanese-inspired cuts. Their designs suit a stylish, fun-loving crowd who appreciate fashion that’s bold, and unique. Even Katy Perry bought one while holidaying here.

At these markets, everyone is catered for, pets included.

Just across, Bling It On Pets offers fabulous leather collars, personalised by Ann Ireland with your pet’s name in sparkling crystal letters. No dog in tow? No problem. Just let Ann know the breed or weight, and she’ll size it perfectly. After all, our furry friends deserve to look their best too.

Following the breeze, a sweet tropical scent draws you to Tropical Scrub, handmade by Cathy Williams.

Her stall, adorned with frangipanis, is as inviting as her products. With more than 30 years of spa experience, Cathy crafts her Polynesian scrubs using pure Australian essential oils, no fillers or chemicals. Lemon myrtle is bold and refreshing, tiaré flower soft and soothing. They exfoliate and hydrate, leaving skin glowing. It’s total skin rejuvenation.

Beside her is Pip, the creator behind Creations by Pip, a bright, joyful jewellery stall full of colour and tropical charm.

Her handmade pieces feature playful designs like palm trees, beachy motifs, and bold pops of colour that reflect Port Douglas’s laid-back vibe. Light, fun, and affordable, they’re perfect for holiday outfits or everyday cheer. Pip also happily takes custom orders to match other market finds.

We keep strolling past a bustling cafe as the market curves around a corner, where Gypsy of Eden sits at the bend, one of the longest-standing stalls.

Started by Lisa Reddrop 13 years ago, the stall is known for flowing batik fabrics and breezy resort-style women’s clothing. Each piece is made from 100% natural fabric, hand-stamped by a skilled Javanese family Lisa has worked with for years. The result is light, relaxed clothing perfectly suited to tropical life.

A few steps along, the resort feel continues at Pelé Jewellery, where seaside charm meets thoughtful craftsmanship.

Longtime friends Mel and Anna handcraft each piece with freshwater pearls, nickel-free metals, and textures inspired by the reef and rainforest; think orchids, monstera leaves, seed pods, and starfish. Their designs blend clean lines, raw shimmer, and rich natural tones.

Creativity at this market is endless, it flows from one stall to the next.

At The Scenic Route, Victoria McGrane, an artist and textile designer, channels her creativity into hand-drawn prints, tea towels, aprons, and notebooks inspired by her travels and the natural world.

Each piece is made with recycled paper, vegetable-based inks, and minimal plastic, a thoughtful blend of art and sustainability that encourages us to slow down and enjoy the scenic route.

Just along the path, Anandalite Creations Crystals catches the sunlight with shimmering gemstone accessories.

Brent, a carpenter by trade, creates each piece with his wife, a reiki master. Every item is handcrafted from gorgeous cedar wood, harnessing the natural energies of crystals from around the world. Their creations include interchangeable necklaces, candle burners, and floating bath accessories - all designed to bring the calming energy of crystals into everyday life.

That same focus on wellness continues at earth1, where Matti and Christine offer pure magnesium oils, balms, and lotions made from magnesium chloride brine - cleaner, more effective and sting-free than common reconstituted flakes.

Their products support sleep, recovery, and wellbeing. As Australia’s only licensed magnesium oil of its kind, earth1 contains no fillers, just one pure ingredient, absorbed through the skin for natural, simple support.

A few steps on, creativity takes a luminous turn at Glow-in-the-Dark Resin Art by Lindi Devereux.

Her stall features glowing water bottles, resin-coated boards, and coasters embedded with real sea shells, each handcrafted in layers.

Bottles are spun to create swirling patterns with metallic accents and food-safe finishes. Vibrant and practical, they’re perfect for taking a little tropical sparkle home with you.

At the far end, just before the market loops back, Bluto’s Banana Bread serves up gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free loaves in six delicious flavours.

Each one is naturally sweet, preservative-free, and sealed for freshness, perfect for snacking or taking on the road. A favourite with locals and visitors alike, the loaves are often taken home as a wholesome tropical souvenir.

The Port Douglas Marina Market is full of life. Take your time, ask questions, touch what’s handmade, and hear the stories of the locals. With thoughtfully crafted goods full of character, it’s a place to find something truly unique to treasure.

The Marina Markets are held every Wednesday from 11am to 5pm in the months April to October. They take a break during the wet season, closing from November to March. However, during that period they will open on select dates: 24 and 31 December, and 7, 14, and 21 January 2025 .