Salamanca Market is one of Australia’s largest outdoor markets.

It began in 1972, when a group of 30 informal traders set up stalls in front of Salamanca Place‘s sandstone warehouses. Now, there are over 300 stalls that showcase and/or sell arts, crafts, jewellery, fresh food and produce, collectables and homewares. And it’s become one of Tasmania’s iconic tourist attractions, as well as being much-loved by locals.

Watch the documentary film below to see the what the Market looked like in 1979!

Please note that Salamanca Market is currently closed due to the COVID-19 situation. But you can still visit its online store.

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Tas That Was is a column that includes:

  • anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
  • historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
  • documentaries about locations in Tasmania.

If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to [email protected].