Shopping, Melbourne Style
Melbourne is famous for its creative, local designers, distinctive shopping precincts, and the range of fashion and merchandise on offer. A short walk or tram ride from the Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne’s idiosyncratic city fringe precincts offer their own retail flavour and style.
Top-End Shopping
For boutiques housing international labels, head to the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street, between Swanston and Spring streets. For luxury goods and fashion, check out the retail arcades at Melbourne’s prestigious hotels such as Grand Hyatt and The Westin, as well as the Crown Entertainment Complex. At QV’s Albert Coates Lane, shop for Australian and international designs.
Melbourne’s Hidden Laneways and Arcades
Some of the best and brightest of Melbourne retail can be found in the inner city lanes and historic arcades. Explore boutiques and specialist stores, meet the makers, and admire the architecture of these historic thoroughfares.
Melbourne’s Shopping Emporiums
Melbourne Central boasts more than 300 stores, and the historic GPO building features three levels of boutiques offering Australian and international designer labels. The Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) Shopping Centres (including at South Wharf in central Melbourne) offer lovers of bargains big brands and big savings, while nearby Harbour Town at Waterfront City features more than 200 shops and outlets. South-east of the city centre, discover Chadstone Shopping Centre with more than 500 stores showcasing leading local designers and international names in a stunning, state-of-the-art centre.
Experience Melbourne’s Market Magic
Every day of the week a market is in full swing in Melbourne, from the famous historic Queen Victoria Market to community street markets. Try the Rose Street Market in Fitzroy for work by local designers, the Collingwood Children’s Farm market for organic produce, or the Slow Food Melbourne Farmers’ Market at the Abbotsford Convent. For locally made goods, the St Kilda Esplanade Market and the Arts Centre market offer a variety of choice.
Beyond the City Grid
Discover well-stocked bookshops and quirky boutiques along Brunswick Street, Fitzroy or in Greville Street, Prahran. Gertrude Street is home to specialist shops, florists and vintage and cutting-edge fashion. Explore Richmond’s renowned designer showrooms and pick up this season’s essentials at factory outlets along Swan Street and Bridge Road, or try Smith Street in Collingwood. Famous Italian cafés are interspersed with cinemas, fashion stores and bookshops along Lygon Street, Carlton. Head south to St Kilda for a relaxing stroll along Acland and Barkly streets and find vintage threads, great sounds, eclectic gifts and street wear. Or for a place to be seen, Chapel Street has a long stretch of clubs, cafés, fashion and footwear shops.