It’s such a mission trying to find shopping outlets that offer the perfect combinations of luxury, class and style. It’s even more of a mission when you visit a new area with an intense thirst for retail therapy, but have no idea where to even begin. I’m faced with this problem every time I go somewhere new, which is why I’ve made it my civil obligation to document and review as many awesome shopping places as possible. Now, I (and you) can jump straight out of bed in the morning (well, after snoozing the alarm a few dozen times) and accomplish some of the best shopping our wonderful country has to offer. You won’t even need to worry about sorting through questionable online reviews or wandering around the streets aimlessly (you can thank me later).
What are you waiting for? Now that I’ve done all the hard work, all you need to do is ensure your credit card reaches its maximum workout potential.
Queen Victoria Building (Sydney)
As a Sydney native, this has been my go-to shopping centre for years. With its beautiful vintage architecture, it’s one of the city’s most iconic and recognisable landmarks. I absolutely adore this place because it was built back in 1898, which I think gives it a superior atmosphere. From tourists to shopping-savvy locals; the QVB has something for everyone. There are large varieties of things to purchase, including high street to high end, children’s gifts, fine jewellery and even indigenous art. Some of the centre’s best brands include Swarovski, Oroton, Longchamp, Coach, Ralph Lauren, Bally, Salvatore Ferragamo and Georg Jensen.
St Collins Lane (Melbourne)
Melbourne is a fabulous place to let your inner shopping maniac run wild. I recently holidayed there with my family, and one of our favourite shopping destinations was St Collins Lane. Not only does this precinct offer a great range of luxurious items, but its recent redesign brings it to life with a kind of modern sophistication that’s unique to Melbourne. I also found it to be incredibly innovative – not just in terms of design, but also with its fashion and culture. You can find both international and local luxurious purchases, as well as reputable brands such as TAG Heuer and Coach. In my opinion, the coolest thing about St Collins Lane is that it housed the first Australian stores that sold (and still sells) the Paris fashion brands, Maje and Sandro Paris.
QueensPlaza (Brisbane):
A few years ago, I visited the QueensPlaza for the very first time and fell in love. The centre is renowned for its stylish elegance, contemporary appearance and its amazing collection of retailers. I visited a hell of a lot of Brisbane shopping centres over a period of two weeks, but the QueensPlaza definitely won my heart (a million times over). It’s home to more luxury than any other existing Brisbane (and probably Queensland) outlet. Whether you’re looking for Chanel, Tiffany, Jo Malone, Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford or any other brand, you’ll find it here in the form of perfumes, handbags, jewellery and shoes.
King Street Precinct (Perth)
It’s not often I get to explore Perth (okay, I’ve only been there once), but that one time was enough for me to discover the very awesome King Street Precinct. The first thing I noticed about King Street was that it had a very European feel (and who doesn’t love Europe?!) Most of the shops were built in 1845, and while they have undergone some renovations over the years, they haven’t changed significantly. High end items and the like are sold in cute little cottages that offer super luxurious brands like Prada, Bally, Sass and Bide, Zomp, McKilroy, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more. There are even delicious cafes and restaurants dine in once the elusive shopping fatigue kicks in.
