Shopping & Style

Queensland

Whether youre looking for high-end designer fashion, one-of-a-kind souvenirs or indigenous Australian artworks, seek and you shall find it in Queensland. From the vibrant streets of Brisbane to the states tropical north – with miles and miles of beautiful coastline in-between – theres no end of chic and unique places to discover.

Brisbane
Focusing on up-and-coming labels and cool boutiques, Brisbane is fast making a name for itself as a hip shopping destination. Hit funky Fortitude Valley for edgy urbanwear, cult Australian labels (including Sass & Bide) and luxury shopping precinct Emporium, or catch the Young Designers Market, held every first Sunday of the month, for the hottest new design talent. For fashionistas, the Queensland Art Gallery is a must – after the current Stephen Jones show Hats: An Anthology (until 27 June), a new Valentino retrospective runs from 7 August.

Gold Coast
An hour south of Brisbane, the shopping experience just gets slicker, thanks to the recent multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Marina Mirage, located right by the über-glam Palazzo Versace hotel. Indulge in a stylish mix of designer boutiques, art galleries and award-winning restaurants, all in a stunning waterfront location on this glamorous stretch of coast.

Local markets
Many of Queenslands convivial local markets have become cool cultural hubs, well worth a detour. Two hours north of Brisbane, near Noosa, Eumundi Markets offer an irresistible selection of arts, crafts and great fresh produce; while in Queenslands tropical far north, Port Douglas Sunday markets feature fabulous regional items. your own island? Double Island, off Palm Cove, is a five-star haven for A-listers seeking guaranteed seclusion.

New South Wales

New South Wales is home to Australias fashion capital, Sydney – and if shopping is on your agenda, theres no better place to indulge. From the citys historic centre to the beach-chic of Bondi and cutting-edge boutiques of Paddington, Sydneys diverse shopping districts are a treasure-trove of cool and edgy fashion finds.

City centre
Arguably the highlights of downtown Sydney are its 19th-century Strand Arcade and Queen Victoria Building. With their ornate architectural features and towering glass roofs, they are home to luxe boutiques aplenty. Over on Castlereagh Street, the bright lights of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci et al lure big spenders and window-shoppers alike.

The Rocks
Beside Sydney Harbour Bridge, the centuries-old buildings of the Rocks district conjure Australias convict history (it was once an open-air gaol). These days the former warehouses, slums and dens of iniquity host a cool mix of shops, restaurants and galleries, as well as markets and street entertainment.

Paddington & Elizabeth bay
A short distance from the city centre, Paddington has fashion lovers flocking. Head to Oxford Street – the ‘Style Mile – for clothing including cult Australian label Hussy. Belinda, the Corner Shop and Poepke (all on William Street) and Lands End (Glenmore Road) are great boutiques for slick edits of international collections, alongside vintage and up-and-coming labels. In Elizabeth Bay, Blood Orange is the local epicentre of cool.

Bondi
Bondi is Aussie surf culture distilled. Its the place to come for beachwear, as well as all manner of jewellery, homewares and vintage buys at the beachfront Sunday markets. For those in need of a fashion fix, Westfield mall is packed to the rafters with high-end brands.

Waterloo and Surry Hills
Seemingly overnight, these former industrial districts have transformed themselves into cool arts hubs, the gritty warehouses and factories forming the perfect backdrop to a hip bohemian scene. With its homeware shops and vintage stores, Surry Hills has made a name for itself as Sydneys design centre, while Waterloo is great for buzzing delis, antiques and galleries galore.