Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Melbourne

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, Australia is known as the fashion capital of Australia and has some of the best shops and shopping malls in the country. When fashionistas spend time Down Under, they flock to Melbourne and browse through the high-end boutiques and shops. Many people liken this city to Paris and Milan.

Bring along some extra suitcases and stow them in a luggage storage locker because you are going to need them to bring home all the great finds while you are shopping in Melbourne. You will fall in love with the malls, boutiques, shops, and even open-air markets where you can find pretty much anything you want or need.

Whether it's the central business district or an arcade on the Golden Mile Heritage Walk, you'll find plenty to buy as you enjoy Melbourne shopping. Hop off at Flinders Street Station for bargain buys or browse designer stores on Little Collins Street. No matter where you venture, don't lug your shopping purchases all over the city. Find luggage storage in Melbourne and leave your things there. Shop all day and pick everything up later!

Bourke Street Mall

Address: 231 Victoria Road, Melbourne

The name may imply an enclosed mall with all the great things that go with a shopping center such as an entertainment area and food court, but the Bourke Street Mall isn’t an actual mall. It is a pedestrian only section of Victoria Road that is home to several shops and markets.

The iconic Bourke Street Mall is a fantastic place to visit to see some of the most marvelous architecture in the Victorian buildings and houses along the street. You can shop for some of the best brands including Myer, Zara, David Jones, and H&M.

Chadstone Shopping Center

Address: 1341 Princes Hwy Service Rd, Chadstone

Located about 30 minutes from the Melbourne business district, the Chadstone Shopping Center is the biggest shopping center in the entire southern hemisphere and definitely should not be missed when you are shopping in Melbourne. Spend the entire day exploring all that this huge expanse of stores has to offer.

There really is something for everyone here including high end boutiques and great value shopping. Find funky, cheaper gift ideas and souvenirs, or look for trendy fashions from the better-known designers to wear on a night out in the city. No matter what you are searching for, you will find it here.

Queen Victoria Market

Address: Queen St, Melbourne

A shopping trip to Melbourne is not complete until you spend time exploring Queen Victoria Market where you will find the best shopping in the city. The market was opened over 120 years ago and is the southern hemisphere’s largest open-air market. Bring the whole family for a day of fun and browsing and then take the kids for more family activities.

You will not be able to explore all of the cool finds at this market in one day. Plan to come back a few times to check out more of the vendors. Best known for cheap shopping, you can pick up anything from fresh produce to street fashion. There are even plenty of street food vendors set up so you can enjoy lunch or dinner while you visit the market.

Emporium Melbourne

Address: 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

One of the newest shopping centers in Melbourne, the Emporium Melbourne is one of the popular places for shoppers to spend time. Some of the more popular international brands can be found at the Melbourne Emporium, making it a great one-stop shop for those looking to update their wardrobe.

You will experience high end shopping while browsing through stores carrying H&M, Camila, Lacoste, Calvin Klein, and even Armani Exchange. Bring along your friends and spend the afternoon window shopping or searching for the perfect outfit or accessory that will make you feel like a million bucks.

The District Docklands

Address: 440 Docklands Drive, Docklands, Melbourne

Located in the District Docklands area, this is one of the best places in Melbourne for great value shopping and many actually say District Docklands is the best place for shopping in Melbourne hands down. See about 70 different shops and boutiques as well as several entertainment choices including Dialogue in the Dark and the ArtCo 3D Gallery.

Dialogue in the Dark is offered by Guide Dogs Australia and is part of the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. This shopping center has a little something for every age. Grab your family or friends, or even come alone, and discover all the awesome things the District Docklands has to offer.

The Rose Street Market

Address: Rose Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne

This market is mainly visited by locals. Find it in a more secluded neighborhood of Melbourne and therefore further away from hotels and typical touristy attractions. It is best known for the handmade items offered by local artisans.

Enjoy seeing items ranging from hand sewn shirts and dresses to pottery and homewares to handmade jewelry and handbags. You will find several fantastic gifts and even a few things for yourself. The vendors are always willing to haggle and the Rose Street Market is one of the best shopping centers in Melbourne.

Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) South Wharf

Address: 20 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf

When shopping in Melbourne you will absolutely want to stop by the Direct Factory Outlet with over 120 different factory outlets. You will literally shop until you drop when you visit this fantastic outlet mall. Find the absolute best high-end brands at deeply discounted prices.

You can get Nike, Gucci, Calvin Klein, MJ Bale, Versace, Chanel, and so many more for a song. Be sure to bring along an empty suitcase or two to cart home all the wonderful finds you get when you shop in Melbourne. It is the best shopping destination when looking for terrific deals.

Melbourne City Centre

Address: La Trobe St and Swanston St, Melbourne

Many people think that the Melbourne Emporium and Bourke Street Mall are included in the Melbourne City Centre, but they are technically next door neighbors to this multi-level mall. With over 300 shops to explore, plan on spending a few days getting to know this fantastic shopping mall.

The historic Shot Tower is also located here which is a wonderful tourist attraction all by itself. The Melbourne City Centre is almost always crowded but it is well worth fighting the crowds to spend the day checking out the various stores here. There are also plenty of fabulous cafes and restaurants where you can take a break and enjoy a refreshing meal.

Third Drawer Down

Address: 93 George Street, Fitzroy

This eclectic shop sells interesting and artful items at surprisingly affordable prices. While you generally find this type of store attached to a museum, Third Drawer Down is a stand-alone store offering a jumble of items such as limited edition tea towels, decal sets, and journals all with fantastic artwork mostly by local or national artists.

Spend an hour or so exploring all the unique items on display and even learn about the different artists that are being showcased. You will be able to find gift ideas for friends and family that will not break your bank and give them interesting and fun gifts.

Melbourne Airport

Address: Terminal 2, Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine

When you fly into Melbourne, you can start your shopping experience as soon as you step off the plane. Melbourne Airport is a shopper's paradise and offers several places to buy luxury goods and the best part is that they are all duty free, meaning the Goods and Service Tax of 10% in Australia is not charged when you purchase goods at the airport. You will save quite a bit of money just on tax alone.

Some of the best international brands can be found at the Melbourne Airport including Burberry, Emporio Armani, and Watches of Switzerland where you can find Breitling, Tudor, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Blancpain, and several more watches. Check out fashions by Hugo Boss, Bally, and Furla. Get ready to use the extra suitcase to stow all your great finds!

Shopping Streets in Melbourne

Melbourne is truly the fashion capital of Australia and that means there are several interesting and intriguing streets throughout the city that are home to shops and boutiques offering high end designers, local artisans, art galleries, and vintage finds. Check out these shopping streets when you want to get away from the malls.

Chapel Street

The most iconic Melbourne shopping street, Chapel Street is also called the Southern Hemisphere’s longest catwalk which extends through several neighborhoods. Each side of Chapel Street is over a mile and a half long and has hundreds of shops and boutiques lining the catwalk. You will find everything from fresh produce and groceries to second-hand clothing to antique furniture.

You can even find high end, name brand clothing from some of the most talented designers in the world. Chapel Street does get crowded quickly and is a favorite for locals and tourists. Grab a cup of coffee as you stroll along the street and then stop at one of the restaurants for a leisurely meal when you need a break from shopping and walking.

With it being only about a 15-minute drive to the southeast of Melbourne City Centre, you will love strolling through the neighborhoods including Windsor, South Yarra, and Prahran. The Chapel Street Bazaar should be on your list of places to visit as well as Dinosaur Designs which sells trendy resin jewelry.

Bromley & Co is an art gallery as well as a homewares store that has been curated by David Bromley, a famous Australian artist. Design a Space should also be on your list of places to visit; showcasing over 170 different local designers you will find interesting and amazing items here.

Collins Street

When looking for the most expensive brands available in Melbourne grab your credit card and head to Collins Street. The street is filled with Victorian-era historical buildings that house some of the most expensive stores in the city.

You may not be able to afford what the stores offer, but you can still enjoy the architecture and do a little window shopping to see what all the fuss is about. While you probably cannot afford to shop for long along Collins Street, you can still enjoy the experience and rub elbows with the rich and famous as they shop.

Brunswick Street

Head to inner northern Melbourne and take a stroll along this bohemian street filled with lively shops and trendy restaurants. This is a street you will be able to spend hours exploring without breaking the bank. It is one of the best places in Melbourne for cheap shopping and you can find some pretty unusual things.

From vintage clothing to chic fashion, you can refresh your wardrobe or add a few wonderful accessories that will make you feel like a million bucks. Bring your bestie and spend the day scouring the shops for amazing deals and some of the best shopping in Melbourne.

Toorak Road

Another wonderful destination in Melbourne for luxury shopping, Toorak Road is not as expensive as Collins Street but filled with lots of glitz and glamour. Shopaholics will be thrilled as they make their way down the street with designer shops everywhere you look.

Bakeries, restaurants, coffee shops for brunch, cafes, and of course, shops and boutiques make this the go-to street when looking for luxury goods. There is even a must-see outlet center filled with designer goods at deeply discounted prices, some up to 70% off the retail price. Live music during the weekend makes this street seem like a party all weekend long.

Shop the Central Business District and More

Whether you are planning on spending time exploring the malls and stores in the Melbourne CDB or checking out the longest shopping street, you will find a treasure trove of shops and art galleries including plenty of entertainment options and food options.

Search for specialty stores selling health products, vintage pieces, or luxury items and you will find fantastic deals. Hit the St. Kilda Esplanade Market or make a stop at Block Arcade. The shopping experience in Melbourne is one of the best things you can do when visiting Australia