About Riverbank Market
Riverbank Market is a beloved open-air farmers market in central Lower Hutt, held beside the Hutt River each Saturday. It opened in the mid-2000s and has grown into one of Hutt City’s most iconic weekend events (www.huttcity.govt.nz). Originally started as a modest fruit-and-veggie market on the riverbank (www.nzherald.co.nz), it quickly expanded. Today dozens of stalls sell fresh produce, baked goods, meats, seafood, cheeses, coffee and more. Its scenic riverside setting and friendly community vibe make it a standout local institution.
Operated in a public carpark on Rutherford Street (off Queens Drive) near Queensgate Mall, the market draws thousands every week. Volunteers and Council staff keep it running smoothly, so the market remains a popular Lower Hutt tradition. Its diverse stallholders reflect Wellington’s regional culture, offering home-grown fruits and vegetables as well as global cuisine from food trucks. Riverbank Market is known for supporting local growers and artisans while offering families a fun Saturday morning outing.
Events and Programming
The Riverbank Market is a weekly Saturday event (rain or shine) that brings together fresh food and community entertainment. It operates early – vendors begin setting up before dawn – and officially runs from 6am until 2pm (www.eventfinda.co.nz). There are typically around 40–60 stalls depending on the season, including local farmers selling produce, bakeries offering artesian breads and pastries, butchers and fishmongers, food and coffee trucks, and artisan craft booths. The atmosphere is lively and family-friendly, often enhanced by buskers or community performers strolling through the aisles.
- Fresh produce: Seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers directly from the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa farms.
- Local foods: Eggs, cheeses, organic meats, and seafood prepared by Rotorua and local vendors.
- Food trucks and street eats: A mix of global cuisines (from Asian curries to European pastries) and barista-made coffee for breakfast on the go.
- Handmade crafts: Artisan goods including handmade candles, soaps, leatherwork and upcycled homewares.
- Community vibe: Child-friendly activities (face-painting or kid crafts), live acoustic music or dance groups at times, and a social bustling crowd.
Notably, the market has no admission charge – visitors simply show up and shop. It runs year-round, switching up its offerings each season (e.g. Christmas gifts in December, winter root vegetables in cooler months). The mix of regular vendors and special pop-up stalls makes each visit fresh. Since it attracts people from all around Wellington, Riverbank Market often feels like a multicultural festival reflecting Lower Hutt’s community spirit.
Tickets and Booking
You do not need tickets to attend Riverbank Market – entry is completely free. It’s a drop-in event: just arrive any Saturday morning between 6am and 2pm. There is no box office or advance ticketing. Shoppers can browse all stalls without reservation. (If you’re interested in selling at the market, check Hutt City Council’s vendor requirements; but for visitors, no booking is ever needed.)
Since the market is open entry, no tickets or passes are sold. Simply come ready to buy goods from individual vendors. Vendors price items individually (no OTT bargaining, as prices are generally fixed for fresh produce and crafted goods). It’s a cash-friendly market – think of it as a giant outdoor grocery store with free admission and lots of browsing space.
Seating and Layout
The market is laid out across a flat, open-air city car park. There is no permanent stage or fixed seating – visitors wander freely among the stalls. Merchants set up under pop-up tents or trucks lined along parking lanes. Paths between rows of stalls allow easy walking and viewing from all angles. Sidewalk cafes or benches near Queensgate Mall provide the closest seating, but generally buyers stand as they shop or eat at their stalls.
Because the market is outdoors, lighting is natural daylight (so daytime only) and sound is informal. Music or announcements (if any) may come from portable speakers. The venue’s flat layout means there are no bad viewing spots; you can stand anywhere along a row. For quieter browsing, head to the outskirts of the market (the far ends tend to be less busy). Note that some festival areas near popular food trucks can get crowded during peak hours, so those seeking a quieter experience often wander to the back or back corners of the site.
Acoustically, there is ambient city and river noise, with vendors or musicians adding background music. There’s no formal PA system, and each stall operates independently. In practice, you hear the friendly chatter of vendors describing their produce, the hiss of coffee machines, and the sizzle of food grills. Overall, the layout is straightforward and accessible – no reserved sections or VIP areas, just the general-admission freedom typical of a farmers market.
Getting There and Parking
Location: Riverbank Market takes place in the Riverbank Car Park on Rutherford Street (5010), Lower Hutt. This is at the northern end of Lower Hutt’s CBD, adjacent to Queensgate Shopping Centre and beside the Hutt River. The exact spot is easily found by following signs to the city centre from State Highway 2 (take the Lower Hutt/Queen Drive exit) or by entering “Riverbank Car Park Rutherford Street” into maps. The river’s walking path runs just north of the market site.
By car: The Riverbank Car Park offers around 800+ parking spaces. Many spaces are free for up to two hours – especially on the far side of the lot away from the main entrance (thefamilycompany.co.nz). After that, standard CBD parking rates apply (paid zones enforce fees roughly $3/hour up to 5pm on weekends). Hutt City’s PayMyPark app also works here. On busy market days, the lot can fill early, so it’s wise to arrive before peak (i.e., soon after 6am) if you want an easy park. Overflow street parking is also available on adjacent roads (limited time zones) and nearby side streets north of Queen Drive.
Public transport: Lower Hutt Station (Metlink rail) is about a 5–10 minute walk from the market. Upon exiting the station, walk north along Queens Drive, then cut up Rutherford Street to reach the car park. Metlink buses (Citylink routes 150, 160, 170 etc.) stop at bus stands outside Queensgate Mall or on Queens Drive; from there, it’s a short stroll south or west to the market entrance. Taxis and rideshare drop-offs are convenient on Rutherford Street or at Queensgate’s drop-off area. Cyclists can lock up at bike racks on nearby streets, though cycling inside the market is not allowed. Footpaths are well-marked, making the market very accessible from any direction within the city centre.
Inside the Venue
Visitors can expect an open, friendly atmosphere. There is no admission gate or security checkpoint – just enter and enjoy. Each stall operates itself, so you speak directly to growers, chefs, or craft-makers when paying or asking about products. Vendors often display goods attractively (for example, colorful fruits on wooden tables). Don’t hesitate to taste samples or ask questions; many sellers are more than happy to chat about their produce. Carry cash in small bills for quick transactions, though most stalls accept EFTPOS cards or contactless payments these days.
Food and drink are plentiful: coffee vans and juice stands serve morning barista drinks and smoothies. Plenty of hot breakfast and snack options come from gourmet food trucks – you might grab a bacon-and-egg sandwich, poke bowl, dumplings, or wood-fired pizza while you shop. Seating isn’t built-in, but many shoppers pay, then step aside to enjoy their coffee or meal at nearby benches or planters. If you arrive early, some vendors might offer cooking tips or recipe ideas for their ingredients (chatting is common!).
Facilities within the market include a few rubbish and recycling bins for customer use (vendors usually keep a disposal bin at their stall for waste). For hygiene, most food sellers use hand sanitiser and many public handwash stations or portable toilets can sometimes be set up during very busy events, but generally it’s best to use the nearby permanent restrooms in Queensgate Mall (see Nearby Amenities below). Mobile phone coverage in Lower Hutt is excellent, so you can use internet banking or maps without issue on site. There’s no official Wi-Fi network advertised; visitors rely on their cellular data. Seating areas inside the market are informal – if you need to sit, picnic tables and green spaces a block away by Riddiford Gardens are comfy spots for a break.
Nearby Amenities
Just steps from Riverbank Market is Queensgate Shopping Centre, which offers a food court, coffee outlets (like Sweet Mistress Café and Sanderson Arthur), and public restrooms (open from early morning). Several sit-down cafes and bakeries line High Street and the Market Grove/Knights Road area – for example Sweet Mother’s Kitchen and Upper Deck Kitchen, which are great for a pre- or post-market brunch. If you want a pub-style drink after shopping, the Courthouse Bar or Red Square (both on High Street) are within walking distance, as are multiple casual eateries in Queensgate’s dining precinct.
For restrooms, the Mall’s public toilets (near Kmart or Farmers) are your best bet, open whenever the centre is open (early Saturday openings). Look for ATM machines inside Queensgate if you need cash (ANZ, Westpac and others are available). In a pinch, the bank branch near the market entrance at Knights Road has a 24-hour ATM as well.
Accommodation options are close by: the **Distinction Hotel** (formerly Hutt Valley or Barclay) on High Street is a four-star hotel under 5 minutes’ walk from the market. A block away is the **Quest Hutt (Mercure)** aparthotel and budget-friendly motels like **Golden Star Lodge** and **Panoramic Hotel** at the Mall area. If traveling by train, Wellington city centre (15 minutes away) has dozens of hotels too - but several local options mean staying near the market itself is easy.
Shopping and entertainment are also handily located. Queensgate has a supermarket and shops, so you can stock up on staples with what you buy at the market. The Dowse Art Museum is a short stroll west, and Riddiford Gardens (a historical park with floral displays and playground) is adjacent to the Mall – ideal for families to relax. Late-night transport: Citylink buses run until midnight on Saturdays; after that, taxis or rideshares are your best bet (Queensgate can hail an Uber, or there’s a taxi stand on Queen’s Drive by the train station).
What Makes This Venue Special
Riverbank Market stands out for its authentic lower-Hutt character and longevity. It transformed weekend mornings in the city – a city that once had an empty parking lot – into a vibrant community hub. Locals often speak of it with pride: it’s where you bump into three generations of your whānau on a Saturday, exchange recipes with neighbours, or casually taste international foods you wouldn’t find elsewhere in Lower Hutt. The market’s location by the Hutt River (with views of distant hills on a clear day) gives it a unique Kiwi charm, combining rural produce with urban convenience.
Culturally, the market has become a part of Lower Hutt’s identity. It not only promotes healthy, sustainable eating (supporting farmers and reducing food miles) but also regularly links to local traditions. For example, around mid-winter there might be a lantern parade or homemade soup tastings by volunteers. At Christmas, it hosts festive carolling and special holiday craft market editions. Many local musicians, whether buskers or community choirs, choose the market as a place to play, knowing it will have a lively crowd.
Community leaders have recognized its impact: Hutt City Council partners with organizers and even invested in marketing partnerships (one report notes a council initiative to boost the market’s reach in 2023 (mintandhoney.co.nz)). The market’s economic impact is clear too – it brings foot traffic into the city’s shops (benefiting retail in Queensgate and High Street) and provides an affordable outlet for small producers. As one council document details, the market draws people from across the region, boosting local vibrancy (www.huttcity.govt.nz). For visitors to Wellington, attending Riverbank Market has become “a genuine glimpse into local Kiwi culture,” combining the feel of a farmers market with a mini multicultural festival right in Lower Hutt’s heart.
Visitor Tips and Information
- Plan to arrive early. The market officially opens at 6am, and the best deals (especially on fresh fruits and vegetables) go quickly. Arriving by 8am helps you beat the crowd and see stalls when they are fully stocked. Expect the busiest time to be 8–10am, with vendors selling out or packing up by early afternoon.
- Bring reusable bags. Vendors provide plastic bags, but in line with sustainability, many shoppers bring their own tote or crate. If you plan to buy produce or bulk goods (like eggs or flour), extra bags or containers help. The market encourages minimising waste by using reusables.
- Carry cash (and cards). While most stalls accept EFTPOS (card payment) or mobile pay, some smaller farmers prefer cash for convenience. It’s wise to have some small bills on hand. If you need cash, get some from the mall ATMs before entering, or use on-site EFTPOS here and there. Overall, half-and-half works best.
- Dress for the weather. Since this is a full outdoor market, wear layers, a rain jacket or umbrella when it’s wet, and sun protection on hot days. The tarmac can be hot in summer, so a hat and sunscreen are helpful. Portable rain covers are in use (vendors have tents), but stay comfortable: rubber-soled shoes or gumboots can also be handy on dewy winter mornings.
- Family-and wheelchair-friendly. The site is flat and wide, so it’s pram and wheelchair accessible. The market explicitly welcomes all ages – children love the bustling scene and sometimes free activities. Bring a stroller for little ones if you need it. There’s plenty of room to navigate; in fact, one listing notes the venue is fully accessible (www.whats-on.co.nz). Just look out for moving carts when walking through.
- Food and breaks. Bring a mug or cup if you want to avoid paper waste. Since there’s no formal seating or indoor café inside the market, you may eat standing or at nearby tables. The adjacent Riddiford Gardens has picnic areas if you want a sit-down feed. For restroom breaks, plan to pop into Queensgate Mall’s toilets. Coffee and snack lines can be long, so patience helps — it’s part of the leisurely Saturday vibe.
- Don’t forget shopping strategy. Popular stalls (like the best coffee truck or bargain veg stand) build a line by mid-morning. If there’s a must-buy item, hit that first. Also, if you see something you like, grab it — vendors may sell out. Conversely, if you’re on a budget, consider going back in the final hour (1–2pm) when some stallholders start offering deals on leftover stock.
- Be respectful and keep it safe. Treat vendors and fellow shoppers kindly. Keep pathways clear, and watch small children near carts or grills. The market is family-friendly, but it’s still a parking lot, so hold hands at street corners and use crosswalks. Pets (unless service animals) are discouraged simply because so much food is around. And of course, take your waste with you to bins. Enjoy the lively scene, but remember this is a real neighbourhood event.
- Stay updated. For unexpected closures (very rare) or special events (like holiday schedules), check the Riverbank Market’s social media or Hutt City Council announcements. For example, Shuttle services or entertainment line-ups might be posted online the week before. The organisers often remind people of parking changes or weather updates via their website or Facebook page.
- Check parking time limits. Many regulars note that the far end of the Riverbank car park is free for a short stay (thefamilycompany.co.nz), but closer spots may require paying after two hours. Plan your day (or move your car) if you’re staying late. Also, bathrooms inside Queensgate open early for the market, but the mall itself closes mid-afternoon, so avoid lingering inside too late if you don’t have a ticket to see a movie.