Shopping in Melbourne
Melbourne is a retail haven for those seeking big name department store chains, smaller boutiques or markets.
Key areas
Head for Collins Street for a range of luxury brands and discover the maze of laneways and arcades, such as the Centreway Arcade, that provide an architectural oasis housing a range of stores offering different accessories and boutique goods.
For the latest designer labels, try Toorak Road in South Yarra or Crown Entertainment Complex at Southbank. Or for young, independent designer’s creations, try Chapel Street in South Yarra.
Brunswick Street in Fitzroy is a veritable Aladdin's cave of clothing shops and gift and book stores. The cake shops and bookshops of popular bay-side St Kilda, a traditional German Jewish area, are marvels to behold.
Markets
Historic Queen Victoria Market (corner of Victoria and Elizabeth Streets) is Melbourne’s most outstanding market. Traditionally a place to buy foodstuffs, you can now buy almost anything in the various halls and quaint shops.
For arts and crafts, head to Rose Street Artists Market in Fitzroy or Esplanade Market in St Kilda. Smith Street Bazaar in Collingwood has a great collection of vintage clothing while Chapel Street Bazaar in Prahan is packed full of retro goodies.
Shopping centres
Bustling with a range of fashion, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, home wares and shoppers, Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall is home to major department stores Myer and David Jones and some smaller Australian retailers.
Melbourne Central (La Trobe Street), The Block Arcade and Royal Arcade (Collins Street) are the spots to find antiques to leatherwear, glassware and designer gear.
Opening hours
Melbourne’s standard opening hours are Monday to Saturday 0900-1700 (or 1730) with late-night shopping on Fridays (and sometimes Thursdays) until 2100. Many major stores and shopping centres are also open on Sundays.
Souvenirs
Australian by Design at the Block Arcade is a good place to learn about indigenous arts and culture, with the opportunity to purchase authentic Aboriginal products; paintings, jewellery, leather products, and ceramics. For classic Australiana items, head to the Australian Geographic shop in Melbourne Central and for some classic cool Aussie surf wear, try Ozmosis, also in Melbourne Central.Tax information
Australia has a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Price tags always include GST. There are several duty-free shops in the city centre and at the airport.
