19 Best Shopping in Queensland, Australia

A sprawling indoor/outdoor shopping hub, Pacific Fair is Queensland's largest mall, featuring Myer and David Jones department stores, major retailers, and more than 400 specialty stores and services (including travel agencies, fashion outlets, and sports and outdoor gear). For a breather, head to the landscaped grounds with restaurants and cafés dotted around sparkling pools and water features, a children's park, and village green, or take in a movie at the 12-screen cinema complex.

Heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade, circa 1923, joins Queen Street Mall and Adelaide Street and houses designer boutiques, jewelry shops, and upscale gift, art, and antiques stores.

The Brisbane Powerhouse hosts a local produce farmers' market from 6 am to noon every Saturday. Enjoy a fresh, leisurely breakfast on the lawn by the river, and afterward, stroll through nearby New Farm Park.

Adjacent to Cairns Railway Station, Cairns Central houses 180-plus specialty stores, a supermarket, department stores, a food court, several coffee shops, and a cinema complex. Strollers are available to rent. It also has the only free parking in Cairns CBD: three hours free.

If you're looking for bargain beachwear, local jewelry, art and crafts, a massage, a meal, a coffee, or souvenirs, the Cairns Night Markets, open daily 4:30 to 10:30 pm, are the place to go. Bring cash—several of the 70-plus merchants charge additional fees for credit cards.

Located in a refurbished 1950s cinema, Brisbane's largest antiques center houses 70-plus stalls, an on-site tart café, and everything from fine china, collectibles, and the kitschiest of curiosities, to clothing, records, prints, paintings, home wares, games, and a vast collection of Australiana. Open weekdays 9--5 and weekends 8--5.

South Bank Parklands hosts a weekend Collective Markets, showcasing high-quality and emerging designer clothing, accessories, artwork, craft, food, and music. It runs Friday 5–9, Saturday 10–9, and Sunday 9–4 in Stanley Street Plaza.

Located on a revamped shipping wharf at riverside Hamilton, this bustling interactive market gives visitors a taste of Brisbane's best street food from more than 70 funky shipping container "restaurants." Open Friday and Saturday evening 4 pm–10 pm and Sunday 4 pm–9 pm, there's also a regular lineup of live music and entertainment, and hip wares from local artists and makers. Entry costs A$5.

Located in a converted theater, Empire Revival (formerly Paddington Antique Centre) is brimming with antiques, furniture, collectibles, various bric-a-brac as well as colorful vintage clothing. Around 50 dealers operate within the center, alongside an on-site café. It's open daily 9–5, closing an hour earlier on Sunday.

This new upmarket lifestyle precinct in Fortitude Valley has an ever-growing array of local fashion, housewares, jewelry, and design stores, alongside trendy cafés and bars.

Historic MacArthur Central, the WWII headquarters of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, houses boutiques and specialty shops, a food court, and a museum. Located at the bottom of the Queen Street Mall, the streets surrounding the center also feature a range of high-end fashion boutiques including Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Tiffany & Co. The MacArthur Museum is open to the public Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday 10–2:30.

The sleek Marina Mirage Gold Coast features 80-plus stores, including high-end gift and housewares, jewelry, and designer fashion boutiques like Christensen Copenhagen and Calvin Klein, along with famous Australian brands, fine waterfront restaurants, beauty salons and day spas, and marina facilities. On Saturday morning (6:30 am–noon), buy fresh gourmet produce at the Marina Mirage Gourmet Farmers' Markets.

With stores throughout Australia, Paddy Pallin sells quality outdoor and travel gear, including hats, footwear, clothing, backpacks, and equipment. On staff are dedicated bushwalkers, rock climbers, and travelers.

Fun and lively Queen Street Mall is nearly a third of a mile long, and incorporates 700 retailers and five major shopping centers, including the Myer Centre, Wintergarden, and Queens Plaza, as well as two large department stores, Myer and David Jones. There are also four arcades: historic Tattersall's Arcade and MacArthur Central, Heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade, and Broadway on the Mall, all housing designer boutiques and a range of specialty stores. On weekends, free entertainment and performances can often be found on the mall's two open stages.

This eclectic arts-and-crafts bazaar in Brisbane's Botanic Gardens sells everything from pressed flowers to hand-painted didgeridoos and homemade treats and clothing. It's open Sunday 8–3.

Cairns's iconic weekend "street" market, Rusty's attracts 180-plus stallholders, who peddle everything from fresh tropical produce to art and crafts, jewelry, clothing, natural health and skin-care products, and food. The market is covered, offering a pleasant respite from the sun. Take advantage of two hours' free parking in Gilligan’s/Rusty's carpark, above Rusty’s on Sheridan Street.

Every Friday and Saturday night crowds flock to haggle for handmade crafts and gifts at the busy Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. More than 100 market stalls line the beachfront from 4 pm.

This store stocks a wide range of big-name dive gear as well as stinger and wet suits, swimwear, kids' gear, and accessories such as snorkels and sunscreen.

The gallery represents and exhibits contemporary artists, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Works cost between A$50 and A$10,000, and come with certificates of authenticity. It's open Tuesday through Friday 9--6 and Saturday 9--3, with regular exhibitions.