Shopping Centres, Tours & Services in Sydney

When visiting Sydney at New South Wales, travelers must'nt skip a trip down the shopping district. This amazing Australian city boasts of shopping malls, arcades, markets and department stores that are interconnected through a series of walkways and tunnels.

Shopping precincts/highlights

For a unique Sydney shopping experience, a visit to the "Queen Victoria Building" or QVB is a good start. This spacious shopping mall boasts of a magnificent Victorian-style architecture, along with beautiful interior designs that were faithfully restored during the 80's. This shopping plaza is home to over a hundred specialty shops and dining places. Designer-labeled clothes, bags and accessories are available here and many of the stores accept major credit and debit cards.

For a hippier crowd, travelers can shop at Strand Arcade, a shopping mecca that houses several high-end boutiques, jewelry shops, and classy beauty parlors. Conveniently located at the center of Pitt Street Mall, shopaholics can rest their weary feet while savoring authentic Australian cuisine through the center's vast selection of restaurants and eateries.

Another area worth visiting is Centrepoint, a shopping district also located at Pitt Street Mall. This center is where shoppers can find specialty goods and high-quality souvenirs and trinkets. Nearby shopping sites are the vibrant MLC Centre and Glasshouse.

For a shopping experience mixed with a little bit of history, travelers can stroll along the stores of David Jones. This shopping site is one of the oldest centers that offer a variety of products and bargains. Located at Castlereagh and Market streets, shopping at David Jones is truly a worthwhile experience.

Cornered by two main streets, Grace Bros department store is another exciting shopping mecca that offers all sorts of cosmetic products, computer accessories and appliances. For clothes and accessories with a modern twist, travelers can visit Picadilly, a shopping site that offers an array of unique gift ideas and specialty boutiques.

Other shopping sites include Newton, Double Bay, Darlinghurst, and Paddington. These sites are filled with stores, shops, malls and eating places that'll have you shopping till you drop.

Bargain hunters will enjoy visiting Sydney's flea markets scattered throughout the shopping district. These markets offer unique handicraft goods, delicious homemade delicacies, high-quality second-hand goods and affordable furniture wares. Discount shops that sell high-quality leather goods and clothing accessories are also abundantly found within the city. Travelers can hone their haggling skills in Sydney since many of its discount shops and market booths are open for price negotiation. Other stores entertain discount coupons and vouchers so shoppers with a limited budget can still enjoy Sydney's shopping sites.

Shopping Advice

Aside from the spectacular goods one can purchase at Sydney's shopping zones, travelers should also consider watching out for international celebrities shopping through the stores. Moreover, since Sydney is a very busy place, parking areas are hard to find in some shopping zones so it's better to just take a bus or walk along the colorful streets. For those who want to make the best out of their Australian vacation, shopping tours offer organized shopping stops complete with entertaining hosts.

When looking for authentic Australian goods, shoppers are advised to double-check the tags. Avoid buying Aboriginal artifacts made in other countries. Travelers can also verify the products' authenticity with the shop owners.

Since Sydney is comprised of several shopping sites and centers, it's better to have a companion or a guide who is familiar with the area so as to avoid getting lost. Try to arrange a shopping schedule to maximize the time since it may take days before travelers can completely navigate an entire shopping district.