Australia is home to an abundance of beautiful, high-end brands and dreamy destinations to find your favourite forever pieces. A little luxury now and again is a real treat, and retail therapy is even better. Finding the best spots for some window browsing, subtle perusing, or full-throttle spending is way more fun when you know exactly where to go. We have selected the top five places in the country for your next shopping spree!
To be one step ahead in the world of fashion, then James Street in Brisbane is the place to be; it is home to some of the best contemporary luxury and lifestyle brands. This pretty pocket of retail houses over a hundred chic retail spaces surrounded by a leafy outdoor setting peppered with palm trees and finished with an urban industrial twist. Australian brands, including Bec & Bridge, Dion Lee and Dinosaur Designs, are just a few of the gems located here. The laid-back vibes make it a fun place to spend an afternoon strolling through whilst making pit stops at the variety of hot and happening restaurants and bars. You are guaranteed never to walk away empty-handed or hungry!
If you are after a vibrant selection of boutiques and find yourself in the magical metropolis of Melbourne, we suggest a visit to Chapel Street. This iconic precinct runs from the Yarra River to Dandenong Road and through the suburbs of St Kilda, Windsor and Prahran. It offers a wide selection of shopping options, from unique vintage collections to classic Australian designers like Scanlan Theodore, as well as flagship stores for the likes of Nique and the stunning MCM House showroom. Don’t forget to pop into Q le Baker for a line-worthy croissant or Market Lane Coffee for a strong cup of joe to keep the shopping buzz going.
Paddington in Sydney is a symbolic centre of both style and sophistication. This charming suburb is packed with trending boutiques and labels from high-end to high street; there is something for everyone. The Intersection sits at the heart of it, located between Glenmore Road and Oxford Street, hosting an array of all the familiar favourites, including Aesop, Zimmerman, Sass & Bide, Dion Lee, the list goes on. Paddington is recognised by its quintessential terraced houses and tree-lined streets, making it one of Sydney’s most coveted suburbs to live in and the ultimate place to shop-till-you-drop. The Saturday Paddington Markets are another must-go; each week, local creatives join to share their conceptions, including fine foods, fashion and artisanal trade. Many famous homegrown designers started here, so it is always a great spot to keep an eye out for emerging talent and rare finds.
For those on the West Coast, King Street in Perth, commonly known as the ‘West End’, is pivotal for those in search of premiere fashion and luxury retail. Here you will find the big international names: Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Gucci, Prada and Chanel. With a harmony of European glamour and modish city vibes, this is an unforgettable shopping destination for those who love the finer things in life. The stream of heritage buildings houses a one-of-a-kind experience as you go from door to door, sourcing the season's hottest trends and with a rich choice of diving dining or elegant wine bars where you can bookend your shopping spree.
The fabulous Johnson Lane is the latest development in our beloved home town of Byron Bay. It boasts some beautiful storefronts, exclusive to the Bay, which are local designers, Nagnata and Deiji Studios, who are in good company with Saturday Surf NYC and Venroy as neighbours. Additionally, Johnson Lane is a brand new foodie destination with popular restaurants Lightyears and Pixie (ensure to make a booking!) Spell and the Gypsy is also a stone's throw away, and this is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to shopping here! The Industrial and Arts Centre is home to Habitat, a very happening hub of shopping and dining, as well as flagships, including Tigmi Trading, For Artists Only and Shack Palace Rituals. The town centre has had a collection of new shops appear in the last year alongside the much loved long term residents including Forrm Store, Island Luxe and Hope & May if you are after gorgeous homewares. Happy shopping!