Shopping in Sydney

Shopping in Sydney offers a broad range of choices when it comes to spending or splurging.

Key areas

Pitt Street in the heart of the city has something for everyone: major Australian department stores, a series of smaller shopping arcades and a range of international brands, and just a short stroll from the beautiful Queen Victoria Building. The traditional fashion epicentre of the city is undoubtedly between Oxford Street and Glenmore Road, in Paddington. Here boutiques from some of Australian’s top designers jostle for space with vintage stores and achingly hip pavement cafes. Darling Harbour, Chinatown and The Rocks historic district are teeming with souvenir and craft shops.

Markets

There are weekend markets at Balmain (Saturday), Paddington (Saturday), Glebe (Saturday), Bondi Beach (Saturday and Sunday), and The Rocks (Friday to Sunday) but perhaps the one with the strongest local flavour is the Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont (daily). Paddy’s Markets in Haymarket (open between Wednesday and Sunday and public holidays) in the city centre is great for a souvenir or bargain.

Shopping centres

The city's flagship department stores are David Jones (Castlereagh Street), and Myer (George Street). There are shopping malls galore with the palatial Queen Victoria Building (also known as QVB) being the most popular.

Opening hours

Shop opening hours are generally Monday to Saturday 0900-1700, with late-night shopping until 2100 on Thursday and regular Sunday trading hours 1000-1600.

Souvenirs

If the memories of your trip aren’t enough to remind you of your visit to Sydney, you can buy a range of souvenirs - sheep skin boots, opal jewellery, Aboriginal art and artefacts, stuffed kangaroos and koalas, and the usual t-shirts, caps, glasses and fridge magnets adorned with Sydney’s many sights. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better souvenir of Sydney than a professional photo of the Opera House and/or Sydney Harbour Bridge, especially one taken at night as the ferries move in and out of Circular Quay.

Tax information

There is a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is included on the price tags. There are several duty-free shops in the city centre, as well as at the international airport.

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City Highlight: Sydney

Hugh Jackman said, “If I’m a lush at anything, it’s food and drink.” He’s a Sydney boy, and his hometown makes the tastebuds of food lovers salivate.

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Featured Hotels

The Woolbrokers Hotel

In the heart of Darling Harbour, Woolbrokers Hotel is located near some of Sydney’s main attractions, including the Sydney Aquarium, Harbourside shopping complex, and Sydney Wildlife World. The heritage building has been redesigned with 27 rooms to accommodate groups, families, or solo travellers.

King’s Cross Backpackers

Located in vibrant King’s Cross, KXB is popular among travellers looking to be in the heart of Sydney at a cheap price. Newly renovated in 2017, the hostel holds weekly rooftop barbecues, day and night activities, and free breakfast.

Cambridge Hotel

Close to the restaurant and shopping areas of Oxford and Crown Streets is this moderately priced hotel with 149 modern rooms and an on-site Italian restaurant. Adjacent to the hotel is an area that used to be a notorious no-go zone in the 1920s frequented by the city’s worst criminals.

Park Hyatt

Occupying a unique position on the water's edge of Sydney's Harbour, The Park Hyatt has a wide range of rooms to choose from all offering deluxe amenities including shoeshine, turndown, robes, gym access and 24-hour butler service. The hotel's restaurant, the Harbour Kitchen & Bar, offers incredible views of the harbour and opera house through floor-to-ceiling folding glass doors. This Sydney hotel also features a spa, fitness centre and rooftop swimming pool.

Four Seasons

The original luxe Sydney hotel the Four Seasons boasts one of the best views around. Located in the historic Rock’s area overlooking the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge the hotel’s 531 luxurious guestrooms and suites all feature a 42- inch LCD television iPod/MP3 player connectivity and wireless internet access. The spa is one of the best in the city and facilities include steam sauna and Sydney’s largest heated outdoor pool.

Ovolo Woolloomooloo

One of the most boldly conceived hotels in Sydney, Ovolo Woolloomooloo (formerly Taj BLUE Hotel) occupies the renovated interior of an old loading wharf, jutting out into the harbour at Woolloomooloo Bay. Retaining the original exterior and many of the interior beams, the refit is an ingenious exercise in industrial chic. Business travellers are well catered for with luxury meeting spaces with amenities such as AV equipment, TV screens, and other high tech features.

Introducing Sydney

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