Secondhand treasures: 5 Sydney flea markets

To find Sydney's flea markets, many inner-city types rarely cross the bridge or drive to Cronulla-Sutherland (known as the shire to locals). But that's where some of Sydney's oldest antiques, secondhand and creative crafts are bought and sold.

So rather than fit into the same snug pattern every weekend, a treasure hunt could lead you to the semi-discovered. This is where the best monthly and less-known flea markets are.

The Como Craft and Antique Market

The antiques and bric-a-brac are worth the drive to leafy Oyster Bay in the Sutherland Shire. Getting there, you leave the highway and arrive at Como Public School near the water.

Just make sure it’s the second Sunday of the month -- and it’s not raining -- or you’ll find this Sydney flea market to be an empty school playground.

If you get it right, a bounty of bargains await. Around 40 stalls attract Sunday drivers, locals and collectors.

Como Craft and Antique Market, Como Public School, Genoa Road, Como, second Sunday of the month. www.comomarket.com.au

REDwater Market

Held on the third Saturday of each month in Redfern Park, the REDWater Community Market is another sign of revitalization in the gritty district.

This Sydney flea market specializes in hand-made, recycled and second-hand goods.

Funds raised from the market help support local community projects.

A stroll into the neighborhood also reveals several furniture and secondhand stores.

REDwater Community Market, Redfern Park, Redfern, third Saturday of the month. www.redwatch.org.au.

Kingsford Rotary Market

People come here to sell all manner of stuff at this Sydney flea market: broken toys, hubcaps and power tools -- you name it.

Some of it is displayed on tables, or spread out on sheets, while other stuff just spills out of cars.

But it’s that ramshackle, car-boot nature that makes it exhilarating. You can’t help but fantasize: just behind that Engelbert Humperdink album -- or underneath that torn Hannah Montana poster -- there may be that original Charlie’s Angels action doll that you’ve been wanting for. For only five dollars, so the dream goes.

Kingsford Rotary Market, corner Anzac Parade and Rainbow Street, Kingsford, every Sunday.

Carlingford Rotary Bring and Buy Market

This North Rocks institution hosts up to 140 or so stalls every Sunday, but most folk south of the harbor wouldn't even know it's there.

It's covered in food, plus fluff: flowers, books, tools, toys, and clothes.

There's also plenty of antiques, collectibles, and bric-a-brac.

This Sydney flea market requests a gate entry donation for Rotary Club-supported charities.

Carlingford Rotary Bring and Buy Market, Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children, 361-365 North Rocks Road North Rocks, every Sunday morning. www.rotarynews.info/club4200/

Kirribilli General Market

Perhaps the most picturesque of all Sydney markets, ‘Kizza’ -- as this up-market north shore enclave is known to wags -- is also a trash and treasure haven.

Right near Milsons Point station on the old bowling green, it has great views of the harbor if you get bored of looking at stuff.

A collection of 200-plus stalls offers a good standard of second-hand goods, as well as crafts, fashion and food.

Kirribilli General Market, Kirribilli Bowling Green, Corner Alfred and Burton St, Kirribilli, fourth Saturday of the month. www.kncsydney.org