Carrara Markets, Gold Coast: Free Parking for Over 4,000 Cars, Open Every Saturday and Sunday 8am to 3pm — How to Get There by Car, Tram and Bus (QLD)

Carrara Markets, on the corner of Gooding Drive and Manchester Road, is open every Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 3pm, and both entry and parking are free. The markets say there is room for over 4,000 cars. If you would rather leave the car, the G:link to Broadbeach South and a connecting bus gets you there in about 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise, according to the markets.

Everything below comes from the markets’ own website, checked on 18 October 2026. The markets say they open all year round, rain, hail or shine.

When are Carrara Markets open?

The markets’ opening hours page lists the general markets every Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 3pm. A separate car boot sale runs every Sunday morning, and is open to the public from 7am to 10am. Sellers enter from 6am, and the gates close to cars at 7am.

What	When
General markets	Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 3pm
Car boot sale	Sunday, 7am to 10am (sellers from 6am)
Carrara Mini Golf	Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 3pm; last tee-off 2:30pm
Rollerama roller-skating	Saturday and Sunday 9am to 3pm; Friday and Saturday nights 6pm to 9pm

Where do I park, and what does it cost?

Parking is free. The markets’ how-to-get-here page says “Free Entry & Free parking for over 4000 cars”. It does not give a number of spaces by section, a time limit or a height limit, and it does not say how early the car park fills. For disabled parking, the markets say designated spaces are near the entrance to The Big Shed.

Some gates are used for particular things. The mini golf has its own entrance, reached from Market Street, and the markets’ pages say to park via Market Street for Family Fun Lane and Rollerama on weekday and night sessions. Sellers at the car boot sale use the Market Street entrance, and buyers queue at the Manchester Road gate. If you are only going to the general markets, follow the signs at Gooding Drive.

How do I drive there?

• From Brisbane, southbound: take the Gooding Drive exit 77 on the M1 Pacific Highway, then follow the signs.
• From Coolangatta or New South Wales, northbound: take the same Gooding Drive exit 77.
• From the Gold Coast Highway: exit at Pacific Fair, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach, and continue until the road becomes Gooding Drive. The markets say it is only 4 kilometres.

Can I get there by tram and bus?

Yes. The markets describe it as the G:link and a Translink or Surfside bus: catch the closest tram to Broadbeach South station, then walk to the bus stops on the beachside (eastern) side of the station and take a bus to Carrara Markets. They say there is a tram and a bus about every 10 minutes, and that it takes about 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise. The markets do not name the bus routes, so check Translink’s journey planner or call 13 12 30 for the route and the weekend timetable.

What about trains and taxis?

By train, the markets say to get off at Nerang station and catch a Translink or Surfside bus to Carrara Markets. For a taxi, they say to call 131 008 or visit gccabs.com.au. Check Translink for track closures before you travel by train.

What do I need to know before I go?

• No dogs: the markets say no dogs are allowed, and ask people not to leave pets in a car.
• Cash: some stalls have eftpos, but most operate as cash only. The markets list five ATM locations.
• Smoking: the shopping areas are smoke-free, with a designated smoking area.
• Toilets: two toilet blocks, one with parents’ room facilities.
• Wheelchairs: available for hire from one of the stalls.
• Bags: the markets run a bag check-in at the Markets Management Office, which the markets suggest for people with a few hours before a flight.

What else is at the markets for families?

The markets list weekend attractions for children. As of 18 October 2026, they say pony rides run on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm at $10 a ride, the baby animal nursery runs from 10am to 2pm at $10 entry, the bungy trampoline from 8am to 2pm at $10 per child, and face painting from 9am to 2pm with prices that vary. Carrara Mini Golf has two courses with no booking needed: 18 holes costs $15 for adults and $10 for children under 15, and 36 holes costs $25 and $15. The Rollerama skating rink charges $20 for a skate session and $5 to hire skates or blades. The markets add that Rollerama is in the Events Arena precinct, and that weekday and night sessions are easiest from Market Street.

The car boot sale is open to the public from 7am to 10am on Sundays. As of 18 October 2026 the markets say sellers pay a $50 fee, cash only, with no bookings, and each seller gets two car park spaces. Vehicles must stay until 10am, so the sellers’ area is a no-movement zone between 7am and 10am. Buyers should join the Manchester Road line, and sellers the Market Street line. The markets say they decide on rain cancellation of the car boot sale only on the day, at 6am.

Is it close to anything else on our site?

Carrara is also home to People First Stadium, which has a very different rule: there is no public parking at most events. Our People First Stadium parking guide explains the shuttles and the Blue Car Park. The markets’ own pages do not mention stadium event days, so check both sites before a big match weekend.

More guides: Gold Coast parking guide

Sources

• Carrara Markets — How to get here (checked 18 October 2026)
• Carrara Markets — Opening hours
• Carrara Markets — Location
• Carrara Markets — Map, amenities and services
• Carrara Markets — Car boot Sundays
• Carrara Markets — Carrara Mini Golf
• Carrara Markets — Rollerama
• Carrara Markets — Family Fun Lane

Featured image: Carrara Stadium in the same suburb as the markets, not a photo of the markets (photo: Totallynotarandomalt69 / CC BY 4.0) (text added)

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Carrara Markets, Carrara Mini Golf, Rollerama or Translink. Opening times and prices can change; check the markets’ website before you go.