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

Top 5 places to shop in Cairns

1. DFO Cairns

Just outside the city centre and open 7 days a week DFO Cairns is a brilliant shopping centre where you can find discounted items of up to 75%.

2. DFS Galleria

Located in Cairns CBD lays the ultimate high-end luxury shopping centre with Luxury retailers, boutiques and duty free shopping for international guests.

Cairns, Queensland

3. Night Markets

Situated on the esplanade the night markets host a range of different things include fashion pieces, toys, souvenirs, portraits and international cuisine.

4. Kuranda Markets

Held daily in the mountain village of Kuranda, these markets offer a range of arts, local crafts, photography, fudge, honey and locally made food.

Kuranda Markets

5. Cairns Central Shopping Centre

Home to hundreds of speciality shops and cinema complex. Clothing stores are mixed in with souvenirs and gift shops. The food court is home to a wide range of cuisines including Chinese, Japanese, Crepes and McDonalds.