132 Best Places to Shop in Australia

Get your fill of authentic Aboriginal art—far more than just dot paintings—by viewing one of the solo or group-curated exhibitions by emerging and established artists and communities at the Mossenson Galleries, which has been one of Australia's leading Indigenous commercial galleries since 1993. The gallery is open on Saturday 11--4. 

Buy clothing and accessories by Australian and international designers at this department store opposite the Queen Victoria Building.

Myer is one of the country's largest department stores, carrying myriad casual and luxury brands for men and women.

This popular upmarket department store, Australia's largest, carries all manner of goods and sundries, along with Australian brands. You can find some bargains on the clothing sale racks. 

This is the only Sydney opal retailer with total ownership of its entire production process—mines, workshops, and showroom—making prices very competitive. In the Pitt Street showroom, you can prearrange to see artisans at work cutting and polishing the stones or visit the on-site museum and learn about the process of opal development and opalized fossils.

One of the few markets here open year-round, Nightcliff Market takes place on Sunday morning and lasts until around 2 pm in Nightcliff Village, with craft and food stalls and performances by musicians, dancers, and other entertainers; it's a great spot for breakfast.

Nicknamed the "Style Mile," Paddington's main artery, from South Dowling Street east to Queen Street, Woollahra, is dressed to thrill. Lined with boutiques, home-furnishings stores, and cafés, it's a perfect venue for watching the never-ending fashion parade. Take Bus No. 380, 382, or 333 from Circular Quay.

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.

Paddy's Market is a huge fresh produce and flea market held under the Market City complex near the Sydney Entertainment Centre in the Chinatown precinct. There has been a market on this site since 1834, and much of the historic exterior remains. The Metro Light Rail stops at the door.

Encouraged to paint a mural on a blank building wall by a local school teacher in 1971, the Papunya Tula artists were the founders of the modern western and central desert art movement. This gallery showcases the work of some of the area's best.

Located north of the city center, the Parap Markets is where the locals shop. The stalls are open every Saturday rain or shine from 8 am to 2 pm and have a terrific selection of ethnic Asian food, including some of the best laksa in the country. Complimentary shuttles are available from several Darwin City accommodations, so check the website for current times and pickup locations.

Family-owned Paspaley Pearling, located in Chinatown, sells pearls and stylish local jewelry.

The jewelers here order their exquisite material from pearl farms near the remote Western Australia town of Broome. Prices start high and head for the stratosphere, but if you're serious about a high-quality pearl, this gallery requires a visit.

Here you'll find an outstanding collection of high-quality Australian gemstones, including dazzling black opals, pink diamonds, and pearls from Broome.

The heart of Sydney's shopping area includes the Mid-City Centre, the huge Westfield Sydney Shopping Centre, Skygarden, Myer, and the charming and historic Strand Arcade—five multilevel shopping plazas crammed with more than 500 shops, from mainstream clothing stores to designer boutiques.

Just a short walk away is the iconic David Jones store on Elizabeth Street.

A fantastic, mouthwatering array of high-quality foods imported from all over the world is available at this popular market, including organic produce and sustainable seafood. The guided Market Discovery Trail runs the third Saturday of each month, including tastings and coffee (A$25).

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 shop sells everything for the Australian bushman—and woman—including moleskin pants, hand-tooled leather boots, Akubra hats, and their characteristic cobalt blue shirts.

Design your own boots with their bespoke footwear service.

Open Sunday morning from about 7 am to 2 pm, the Rapid Creek Markets are Darwin's oldest and have fresh organic produce, as well as flowers, seafood, and locally made handicrafts. Shop 'til you drop alongside the locals just 20 minutes north of the city center while you listen to live music and stock up on fresh groceries at one of more than 60 stalls.

An independent retailer with an exceptional range of books, magazines, and film and music CDs, Readings is a Melbourne institution. The Carlton store has operated since 1969, and there are now six suburban branches and another shop in the State Library in the city center.

A funky shopfront for local artists working across varied disciplines, you will find ceramics, textiles, books, and many other treasures. Often with a local twist, featuring native flora and fauna or made from local materials, this is a must for the souvenir hunter that values original and clever design.

Works from Melbourne's best artists and designers are on display at this popular artists' market, from oil paintings to sustainable bags, housewares to clothing and jewelry; ideal for unique, eclectic gifts and mementos.The organizers also arrange other makers' markets in various sites across the city. For more art, wander the nearby streets to see some of the city's best large-scale murals.

Come here for serious one-off designs at the cutting edge of lapidary chic.

Opened in 1870, this is Melbourne's oldest shopping plaza. It remains a lovely place to browse and is home to the splendid Gaunt's Clock, which tolls away the hours.

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.

This is the Sydney outlet for one of Melbourne's most distinguished fashion houses. Designs take their cues from Europe, with superbly tailored women's knitwear, suits, and stylishly glamorous evening wear.

This shop is a true Launceston icon—it sells beautifully made woolen products, such as sweaters, blankets, underwear and the ever-popular UGG boot.

Perhaps Melbourne's hippest street, this colorful strip is dotted with bars, restaurants, and many vintage-style clothing shops. Toward the northern end are clothing factory outlets.

This not-for-profit store provides work experience, employment, and passageways for refugee youth. There are limited-edition women's fashion designs made using only reclaimed materials sourced from the local fashion industry, and products by Indigenous designers. It's located in Collingwood Yards, a social enterprise incubator for emerging artists.