Rusty's Market Foodlovers Tour: A Historical and Gastronomic Journey into Tropical Food
4.8
12 Ratings
Cairns City
Embark on a historical and gastronomic journey at Rusty's Market Foodlovers Tour. Sample fresh and cooked foods, learn about the market's history, and discover the secrets of tropical fruits and veggies.
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Rusty’s Market - Travelers will get a guided tour through Rusty’s market with at least 7 food tastings (suitable for vegetarians). The history of Rusty’s Market, including its founder Rusty Rees, will be explored. The history of the markets in the context of Chinatown history will be described. Travelers will hear about the passion behind the chefs/owners of the cooked food/drink and fresh produce stalls, meeting some of them and hearing about what goes into the food creations. Food tastings include a variety which could include fresh coconut, gourmet coffee, pastries, arancini balls, local honey, local in-season fruit, and sugar cane juice.
What's Included
  • Snacks
Additional Information

If you’re passionate about food and captivated by history, then this tour is perfect for you. It provides an opportunity to taste a variety of fresh and cooked foods, dive into the market’s history, gain knowledge about tropical fruits and vegetables, and get exclusive insider tips about the best foods at Rusty’s market.

The tour also entails understanding Rusty’s Market’s origin story. Alongside, the guide will highlight the best gourmet foods offered in the market and introduce the seasonal fruits.

  • Baby carriers are recommended to make it easier to navigate through the aisles, if you have one.
Location
Rusty's Markets
Grafton Street
Meet at the Grafton Street entrance to Rusty's Market on the right-hand side of Annee's Caphe in front of the Tea Lilly clothing shop.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(12 Ratings)
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Penni_e
Apr 21, 2024
A delicious tour! - Our guide was very knowledgeable about the wide variety of foods at the market and the history and its founder. The foods we tried were varied and delicious. We had a wonderful time!
Review provided by Viator
Adamvlad
Jul 14, 2023
A Colourful Morning! - In Colour! The one thing you notice when entering is the vast array of colour! Seriously, this Tour surpassed my expectations. Paul, made sure my companion was well catered for as she has several food intolerances. We are going to book another tour. Thank you Paul!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
117brianm
Apr 29, 2023
Graze and Amaze - Our friendly and knowledgable tour guide provided an excellent overview of the markets and its history as we grazed our way from food stall to food stall. The range and quality of produce from the local area is amazing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J1312ylrosemarys
Feb 16, 2022
Excellent!! - Tour guide. History of market and great food. Stsll holders fantastic.. worth the $$$. Love helping the locals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Naomi
Jul 9, 2021
Tasty tour - We had a lovely time walking around Rusty's market. Sampled some delicious food and got some history on the place...I wouldn't have guessed it. Also discovered some new tropical fruit that we are eager to try. Thank you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ginee89
Oct 27, 2019
One more think you should put on your agenda in Cairns! - The guide gave a profound background knowledge about the markets history and the products we could find. It was beyond my expectation of a food tour. The samples where all in itself unique and tasty. I couldn’t resist to buy some of it afterwards ;) definitely worth the money!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chellak
Sep 20, 2019
Interesting tour that made the markets come alive - We had a brilliant morning walking around the markets with Georgia. She was knowledgeable, interesting and was able to tailor the information to our group. I tried foods I wouldn't normally be drawn to (loved the Hungarian baked arancini!) and got an insight into the markets that's not obvious at first sight. I just wish I was staying longer to do the other two tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explorer681040
Jul 30, 2019
I love it! - I like to try to do new things. I had so much fun at Rusty’s Market Foodlovers Tour. Meeting new people and walking inside the market to try some yummy foods and drinks. At the end of the tour I’m full. I also learned something. Thank you Georgia.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacqueline_s
Jul 30, 2023
Informative tour of the market - It was interesting to explore Rusty's Market with a very informative guide, Peter. We learnt about the history of the market as well as information about the various foods we tasted. We were even introduced to some tropical fruits/ vegetables we had never seen before. We tasted antipasto olives & peppers/ tropical fruit/ German sausage/ Spanakipita and an unusual coconut dessert in its shell. A most enjoyable tour.
Review provided by Viator
H_louisechristchurch
Sep 13, 2019
Interesting tour with a variety of tastings. - Georgia the guide was knowledgeable about most of the fresh produce and had good rapport with the stall holders which meant many were happy to chat to us about their products and the culinary uses. Good tastings, the best kept til last which was the sugar cane drink which tasted like a mocktail mojito, YUM! We liked the emphasis on show casing local produce, sustainability, organic, and recycling. Would definitely recommend this tour and only wished we had done it at the beginning of our stay rather than the end as we cannot take any of the yummy produce back to NZ. We did buy some for a picnic lunch in the botanical gardens later today though.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 8 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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