Roadside stalls boom in South Australia, with one online group reaching 45,000 members

Elise McCallum never expected her sourdough baking to become a booming roadside business. "I remember my first loaf. I was watching from the window, thinking, 'No-one's going to buy it'," she recalled. But one loaf sold, then ten, and now she stocks a significant amount each weekend.

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I remember my first loaf. I was watching from the window, thinking, 'No-one's going to buy it'.

McCallum's stall is one of over 100 similar ventures in South Australia's Adelaide Hills and surrounding areas. A Facebook group dedicated to these roadside stalls has amassed over 45,000 members. Stallholders share product details, and customers actively seek out these local businesses. An interactive online map further aids navigation, listing stall locations and offerings.

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But I sold one loaf, and then one loaf turned into 10 loaves.

Natasha Trimper, located about 30 kilometers away, sells fresh, locally grown flowers from her stall in Mount Barker. She also found success after starting by selling from her garage. "Since the stand has been out, and putting ourselves on Google Maps ... we get a lot more traffic with people just driving past," Trimper said. She enjoys providing affordable flowers for people to celebrate occasions or simply brighten their homes.

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You get one person comment about a certain product, and then you get 10 more people coming to get that product.

Both women have seen their initial side hustles evolve significantly. McCallum began selling bread during maternity leave and now works for herself. Trimper's flower business, which started in her garage, now thrives thanks to her roadside stall. The community support and customer engagement through the online group and the stalls themselves have been key drivers of their success.

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Since the stand has been out, and putting ourselves on Google Maps ... we get a lot more traffic with people just driving past.