Melbourne is a shopper’s dream, and it is possible to buy almost anything in the city’s malls, shopping centres and markets if you know where to look. Known for years as being the shopping capital of Australia, Melbourne shops and shopping centres vie with shopping streets and markets to attract the attention of buyers looking for a bargain.
On the southern side of the Yarra River is the area of South Yarra, with its trendy shopping region stretching along Toorak Road and Chapel Street selling the latest fashions and home wares. The nearby Prahran Market is the country’s longest running market and sells fine food and produce with some excellent coffee shops on site.
Bohemian Fitzroy is home to quirky shops selling retro clothes, funky jewellery, eclectic art and souvenirs. The area’s backbone is Brunswick Street, which houses studios, galleries and workshops as well as bookshops and colourful florists. Nearby Acland Street was traditionally the Jewish quarter, and still houses several well known cake shops.
One of the best shopping centres for clothes in Melbourne is Melbourne Central, with its wide range of fashion outlets. Some of the city’s other popular shopping centres include the Royal Arcade and the Southgate Leisure Precinct, while the Docklands, Chinatown and Queen Victoria Markets also prove popular shopping locations. Melbourne shopping tours tend to focus on several discount factory outlets around the city.
Set in the central business district, the heritage Block Arcade is one of Melbourne’s most beautiful malls, and the city’s Golden Mile heritage walk runs right through it. Connecting Collins Street to Little Collins Street and Elizabeth Street, the opulent 19th century Block Arcade lures even those who don’t like to shop with its rich decoration and mosaic floors.
With so many shopping experiences on offer, it is advisable that visitors who take their shopping as seriously as many Melbourne residents do look at a Melbourne shopping guide for complete listings of malls and shopping districts.