Australia's best suburbs for shopping

Richmond, Melbourne

If you are after a hit of cosmopolitan culture, then you best make your way to Bridge Road, Melbourne. Only a short distance from the city, Bridge Road is regarded as Melbourne’s best shopping strip. It is renowned for its abundance of clothing factory outlets, and also many stores of up-and-coming local fashion designers. The road is always buzzing with bargain hungry shoppers who are after the best deals on shoes, clothing, accessories and gifts. You can find some of Melbourne’s most successful retail stores warehouses on Bridge Road, selling the latest fashion items at clearance prices.

Must visit:

Anthea Crawford – Outlet

Country Road – Outlet

Green with Envy

Metalicus – Outlet

Bridge Road, Richmond

South Yarra, Melbourne

Chapel Street in South Yarra is well known as Melbourne’s most vibrant fashion and food strip. Here designer labels go hand in hand with fancy bistros. Luckily, there are just as many eateries to sit and regenerate in between bursts of shopping. The stores range from exclusive Australian designers, high street chains to second-hand shops. The Jam Factory is one of the main focal points. An actual jam factory at one time, it is now a modern shopping complex.

Must visit:

Metta Scents

Bleecker Street

Alannah Hill

Shappere
Zara
Topshop

Chapel Street, South Yarra

Paddington, Sydney 

Known as Sydney’s ‘Style Mile’, Oxford Street in Paddington is packed with hip fashion boutiques and home ware stores. You can enjoy two kilometres of funky boutiques and high-end street fashion. If you are on Oxford Street on a Saturday you can visit the famous Paddington Markets, which has over 250 stalls selling a range of goods from handmade jewellery and fashion items to gifts and home wares. Don't forget to wonder down the small streets off Oxford Street, where you will find designer boutiques inside former Terrace homes.

Must visit:

Camilla Boutique

Pink Zebra

Morgan Barret Fashion

Kate Sylvester

William Street, off Oxford Street, Paddington

Paddington, Brisbane 

Just a couple kilometres from  Brisbane's city centre, you can find quaint Queenslander cottages turned into beautiful stores along La Trobe Terrace in the trendy suburb of Paddington. This area is a treasure trove for vintage fashion and wares, quirky keepsakes, fashion boutiques, antiques, eco friendly products and retro goodies.

Must visit:
Retro Metro
Thousand Island Dressing
La La Latrobe
Petrol

Brisbane River

James Street, Fortitude Valley

This unique and trendy street close to the city is a hub for the best brands and boutiques Brisbane has to offer. The street does not have tonnes of stores, but will definitely fulfil your shopping urges with its great assortment of high fashion stores. James Street is a must visit for serious fashionistas and foodies with cash to burn.

Must visit:

Zomp

Sass & Bide

Mimco

Ksubi

Jules & Roc

James Street, Fortitude Valley

Brisbane's trendy small bars

Far from being the ‘big, small town’ it was known as in the 80s and 90s, Brisbane is now a thriving cosmopolitan city with a range of high-end restaurants, exciting nightlife district (The 'Valley') and trendy bars.

The last few years has seen a surge of micro-bars and cafes - small gems that offer stacks of atmosphere. Here’s a list of some of the top spots that now reside in Brisbane.

Burnett Lane is bustling with patrons on a Friday evening, pop your head into Brew at the bottom of the Laneway for a coffee in the morning then head back after work to SuperWhatnot. Think industry loft, Brooklyn NY vibe with exposed brick, black booths and wooden floors.  The bar resides in the abandoned storeroom of an old beauty school. What they’ve created is excitingly hip and fresh.

Image courtesy of SuperWhatNot

New to 400 George Street is Public. The restaurant’s softly lit, calm atmosphere is a welcome addition to the hustle and bustle of this popular food precinct. Dine on shared plates or individual main meals from a seasonally changing menu. 

If you enjoy humour with your beer then keep your eyes open for the upcoming ‘Our Place’ in Fortitude Valley. The homely atmosphere will hold cosy couches, cushioned milk crates and awkward family photos. No doubt hipsters will flock and laughs will abound.

The Hideway lives up to its name, providing a small getaway with lots of vintage vibe. It may be small, but it's big on taste with craft beers and fine wine. Step inside for a drink and you will hear a mix of soul, blues, jazz and rockabilly tunes streaming from the DJ’s old school vinyl.

Lady Lamington, on Brunswick Street, has created a lot of buzz with the 20 something set in Brisbane. The name derives from Lord Lamington, Queensland 8^th Governor. Don't let the name's orgin turn you off, it may have old roots, but the décor has a modern, resort-style vibe. Enjoy the most of Brisbane’s subtropical weather and head to the open top bar to enjoy an after work drink. 

Brisbane dining courtesy of Brisbane Marketing

Cabiria, located in the redeveloped Barracks precinct in Paddington (off Roma Street) is home to the some of the best oysters in town. There is a lot of attention given to finding great drinks in this Queensland bar, with over 300 bottles sources from across the world and some quirky, boutique beers available on the menu. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner you can enjoy gourmet sandwiches and home made pies in a brick enclosed, cellar style bar with gorgeous wooden floors. 

Brisbane's accommodation ranges from budget to boutique. Browse the options here. 

Brisbane coffee scene courtesy of Brisbane Marketing