Shopping in Australia
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Mindil Beach Sunset Market
As the sun heads towards the horizon on Thursday and Sunday, half of Darwin descends on Mindil Beach Sunset Market with tables, chairs, rugs, grog and kids to settle under the coconut palms for sunset, and decide which of the tantalising food-stall aromas holds the greatest allure. Food is the main attraction and it spans the globe from Thai, Sri Lankan, Indian, Chinese and Malaysian to Brazilian, Greek, Portuguese and more, all at around $5 to $8 a serve. Don’t miss a flaming satay stick from Bobby’s brazier. Top it off with fresh fruit salad, decadent cakes or luscious crêpes. But that’s only half the fun: arts and crafts stalls bulge with handmade jewellery, fabulous r…
reviewed
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Queen Victoria Market
Chaotic, friendly, multicultural – the Queen Victoria Market is one of the largest open-air markets in the southern hemisphere and the grand dame of all Melbourne markets. Over 600 traders hock their wares here and it’s been pushing trade for more than 125 years. You’ll find everything from perfectly ripe brie to perfectly rank moccasins. An organic corridor in the fruit and vegetable section is stocked with fresh produce grown without a hint of chemicals or pesticides. The bustling night market runs between late November and mid-February.
reviewed
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GPO
GPO houses fabulous boutiques including Akira and Veronika Maine, plus the ABC shop.
reviewed
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The Rocks Market
The promoter’s line goes, ‘Choose something you like, somewhere you love’. Under a long white canopy, the 150 stalls here are a little on the tacky side of the tracks (fossils, opals, faux Aboriginal art etc) but are still worth a gander. Maybe what you choose to like will be the buskers and a beer at the pub.
reviewed
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Original & Authentic Aboriginal Art
This trustworthy gallery specialises in works from four specific regions – the Central and Western Deserts, Queensland, Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. There is info available on the artists, and some more unusual stuff for sale, such as painted glass and traditional sand paintings preserved on canvas.
reviewed
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Red Eye Records
Entering this red-walled rock refuge is like waking up inside a huge, hung-over eyeball. The shelves are stocked with a rampaging collection of classic, rare and collectable records, CDs, crass rock T-shirts, books, posters and music DVDs. New music is at the city centre branch. Rock on!
reviewed
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Prahran Market
A top-quality produce market, with several organic- produce stores (including an organic butcher), a fresh pasta shop, bountiful delis and a food court for grazing on the move.
reviewed
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Farmer’s Market
Local produce can be foraged at the popular farmer’s market held on the second Saturday of the month – if it’s wet the market’s in the Orange Showground.
reviewed
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Metropolis
Lovely bookish eyrie with a particular focus on art, architecture, fashion and film. It also has some very special kids books and a desert-island discs selection.
reviewed
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Old Bus Depot Markets
This popular, decade-old indoor market specialises in handcrafted goods and regional edibles, including the output of the Canberra district's 20-plus wineries.
reviewed
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Blonde Venus
One of the top boutiques in Brisbane, Blonde Venus has been around for 20-plus years, stocking a well-curated selection of both indie- and couture labels. Other great boutiques line this street.
reviewed
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Restorers Barn
The famous Restorers Barn is literally dripping interesting bric-a-brac, collectables and tools.
reviewed
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Natimuk Lake Caravan Park
Beside Lake Natimuk, about 4km north of Natimuk, this camping area has barbecues and laundry but no cabins.
reviewed
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Brunswick St Bookstore
A Fitzroy fixture with contemporary titles, art, literature and design tomes, plus cosy seating.
reviewed
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Kakulas Bros
Ramshackle provisions store overflowing with dirt-cheap legumes, nuts and olives.
reviewed
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Queen Victoria Building
Unbelievably, the grand ol’ QVB (1898) was repeatedly slated for demolition before it was restored in the mid-1980s. It’s a high-Victorian masterpiece occupying an entire city block. Sure, the 200 speciality shops are great, but check out the wrought-iron balconies, the Byzantine copper domes, the stained-glass shopfronts, the mosaic floors, the replica crown jewels, the ballroom, the tinkling baby grand and the hyperkitsch animated Royal Clock (featuring the Battle of Hastings and an hourly beheading of King Charles I). Outside there’s an imposing statue of Queen Vic herself; nearby is a wishing well featuring a bronze replica of her beloved pooch, Islay (which disconcer…
reviewed
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Strand Arcade
With its stained-glass windows and iron-lacework balconies, this quirky centre makes for a truly atmospheric shopping trip. Built in 1892, this is the city's only Victorian arcade to survive in its original form and it rivals the QVB in the ornateness stakes. Three floors of designer fashions, Australiana and old-world coffee shops will make your short cut through here considerably longer. Top Australian designers commune and collude on level one: Leona Edmiston, low-cut, butt-hugger jeans from Bettina Liano, devilishly daring gear from Wayne Cooper, Sydney’s best swimwear from Zimmermann and fishnets and flounce from Alannah Hill. Jeweller Love & Hatred is also here.
reviewed
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Westfield Bondi Junction
Vast. That’s the only word to describe Australia’s flashest shopping mall. Expect to get lost; the space–time continuum does funny things as you explore the 438 stores set over six levels. It’s even worse in the mazelike underground car park. Big-brand fashion outlets include Morrissey, Bracewell, Calibre and Leona Edmiston, alongside the big internationals such as Hugo Boss, Armani and Versace. Australia’s two big department stores – Myer and David Jones – do battle here, plus there are cinemas, bars, food courts… Everyone’s spending up big, but the vibe is oddly depressed – smiles on faces are rare here.
reviewed
