Australia’s biggest second-hand festival is coming to Port Stephens

The Garage Sale Trail, Australia’s biggest second-hand festival, is coming to Port Stephens for its last edition.

Residents are encouraged to participate to clear out extra clutter and, hopefully, make some money.

Started in 2010 in Bondi Beach, the Garage Sale Trail has since then expanded into a nationwide movement, supported by over 120 local councils and three state governments.

Instead of just throwing out unwanted items, households, schools and businesses can register for the program and have their garage sale registered.

During the 7–8 November and 14–15 November weekends, residents will be able to use the national Garage Sale Trail map to find all the best community sales around them.

As of the time of writing there were six registered upcoming sales in Port Stephens, hundreds in the Newcastle area, and many more likely to follow.

Garage Sale Trail Director Barbara Gill described this year’s event as the culmination of how far second-hand markets had come.

“We started Garage Sale Trail because reuse was a no-brainer; a win for your wallet, a win for community connection and a win for the planet. Sixteen years on, that’s still very true and thankfully it has become mainstream with the secondhand economy now thriving,” Ms Gill said.

Over 16 years, four million Australians have participated at more than 134,000 garage sales, raising more than $52 million dollars.

While this year represents the final installments of Garage Sail Trail, Ms Gill said that expressions of interest are already open for a new custodian, brand or organisation to take over the reins.

Meanwhile, Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson has said that participating in this final year is a fantastic way for local residents to celebrate community spirit one last time.

“The Garage Sale Trail is a wonderful way to unearth incredible finds, clear out clutter, and build stronger community connections,” Mayor Anderson said.

“It’s just one more way Council is contributing to the circular economy in Port Stephens – keeping products in use for as long as possible and reducing landfill.

“This is the Garage Sale Trail’s final year, so it’s the perfect opportunity for our community to lead by example. We’d love for you to get involved by hosting your own garage sale.”

Residents are free to register their own garage sale at www.garagesaletrail.com.au/port-stephens.

By Nico LOMBARDO