Shopping in Sydney

Shopping in Sydney

Good shopping in Sydney is never hard to find. Giant retail malls in the city’s Central Business District give way to designer boutiques in as shoppers wander east to Paddington. Outdoor markets and chic fashion district characterize this trendy and liberal part of town. Further east, the city gives way to tone of the most eclectic flea markets in the city just North of Bondi Beach.

Central Business District

The Central Business district is the commercial capitol of Sydney, and is home to a series of the largest retail shopping malls in the city.

The Skygarden is a multi-level shopping mall that sells anything from designer clothes, jewelry, accessories, and media. Its home to a handful of Australian designers and international powerhouses like Hermes, as well as an enormous Borders store that sells books, music, and DVDs. If you’re in the mood for a good meal after your shopping trip, head next door to the Pitt Street Mall where a number of delicious options are made available.

Down the street, the Strand Arcade is housed in a 19^th century Victorian building that has since become a symbol of the Central Business District shopping culture. An extremely ornate and well-maintained interior make a shopping trip to the Strand Arcade a feast for the senses. Upscale designers like Fred Perry, Gorman, and sass & bide have shops in this fashionable mall.

The Queen Victoria Building is another retail giant housed in a turn of the century Victorian building in the heart of the city. Here, five levels of designer retailers like Georg Jensen, Coach, and Herringbone can keep shoppers occupied for hours. A traditional tea room is located on the top floor and tea times are available upon reservation.

Paddington

The area of Paddington is tucked between the southeastern edge of Hyde Park and the Eastern suburbs. This popular shopping district is overflowing with options for eager shoppers.

Vendors at the Paddington Markets set up shop every Saturday from 10 am to sell Australian made goods. The market is held at 395 Oxford Street and is easily accessible via bus or lightrail services. Over 200 stalls sell goods ranging from artwork, photography, handmade jewelry and accessories, and international cuisine. This is the perfect place to pick up an authentic Australian souvenir. A trip to the markets will make for a leisurely afternoon of shopping and snacking in one of the most extensive outdoor markets in the country.

Oxford Street is one of the most multicultural, gay friendly, and artsy areas in the city, with numerous boutique store fronts. Check out Opus for quirky accessories Marcs for designer clothes.

Eastern Suburbs

The Eastern suburbs have the most diverse shopping in the city with choices ranging from the chicest boutiques in the city to the most popular flea market.

Double Bay is a European-style area with leafy, tree-lined streets and winding alleys. It is widely considered to be the chicest and most expensive shopping area in the city, and people are drawn in to shop along its harborside promenade. Chic boutiques include the Australian designer Belinda, Copenhagen’s Marni and Christensen, Nerida Winter designer hats, and Papier L’amour for trendy stationary. The area is easily accessible via the Eastern Suburbs ferry or any number of buses.

If you find yourself soaking up some sun at Bondi Beach on a Sunday, don’t miss the Bondi Markets, located on the grounds of the nearby Bondi Beach public school. Just a few blocks northwest of the beach, these stalls are a haven for vintage clothes, homewares, handmade jewelry, and homemade treats. Get lost in the market and you may come out with some spectacular finds.

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