Whether you’re visiting good old Brizzie for a weekend holiday or you’ve travelled from afar to spend several days absorbing the flavour of this eastern Australian conurbation, you’ll find that there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied, such as visiting local beaches and waterways, visiting museums and performing arts centres, and sampling the food and nightlife this bustling urban sprawl has to offer. And of course, the plethora of parks and the temperate climes will leave you wanting to spend most of your time outdoors, soaking up the sun. But most people also like to squeeze in a little shopping while they’re on vacation in order to bring home mementos of their trip and souvenirs to give away as gifts. So here are just a few shopping areas in Brisbane that you may want to hit up in search of trinkets and treasures to commemorate your trip.
Far and away the largest and best-known shopping area in Brisbane is the Queen Street Mall, an open-air complex located in the centre of the city’s business district. Designed for pedestrian traffic, the mall is an ideal place to walk off some calories while fitting in a little retail therapy. And with 40,000 square metres of retail space and more than 700 shops to choose from, you’re sure to get your fill of both activities. Visitors to this megalopolis of shopping will no doubt appreciate the variety of shopping centres (six in all) that feature multi-level malls, department stores galore, unique boutiques and specialty shops, and of course, upscale options for the discerning shopper, including retail spaces for Chanel, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, and more. And there are offerings from Australian designers, as well, that will surely be a draw for foreigners looking for some new labels.
But of course, Queen Street Mall isn’t the only place in Brisbane to get your shop on. Nearby Fortitude Valley seems to have emerged as a shopper’s paradise dotted with pockets of commercial bliss. For example, James Street boasts a growing list of cool and kitschy shops to visit, including options like the Calexico Boutique, Witchery, and Scanlan & Theodore that will have you outfitted in style in no time, not to mention a bevy of eateries that will dazzle your taste buds after a long day of shopping (Harvey’s Bar and Bistro is a local favourite). Winn Lane has also gained popularity thanks to the fabulous food and hip ambience of hole-in-the-wall dining halls like the Flamingo Cafe, plus a slew of weird and whimsical shops that have opened recently. And then there is Emporium, a trendy little microcosm that caters to a more upscale crowd. In short, Fortitude Valley provides plenty to love for shoppers on the lookout for those must-have splurges.
On the other hand, you may simply be seeking a few new threads or some low-cost options. In this case you should probably head to one of two Direct Factory Outlets locations to be found in the city: DFO Brisbane near the airport or DFO Jindalee just south of town. These discount shopping warehouses offer a number of stores that present overstock and out-of-season merchandise that will have you snatching up deals left and right.
