Shopping

Known as the shopping capital of Australia, Melbourne has everything from cutting edge designer shops, vintage boutiques and hand made goods, to bustling markets and specialty stores.

Fashion

Fashion labels in Victoria range from locals Lisa Gorman and Scanlan and Theodore, to the internationally recognised Louis Vuitton, and Armani. You’ll find fashion in department stores and shopping malls across Melbourne and Victoria. The city’s art-covered laneways are also full of local designer boutiques and specialty stores selling clothes, jewellery, accessories, music, DVDs and books. Look for labels at Melbourne Central on Swanston Street; GPO, Bourke Street Mall; Flinders Lane and Collins Street in the city.

Household

For study supplies and household items, visit department stores like Big W, Target, Kmart and Myer. Across Victoria, shopping malls usually feature one or two large department stores, homeware and hardware stores. These stock household items like cookware, entertainment products and electronic equipment.

Markets

Many weekly suburban markets specialise in vintage and second-hand items, clothing, furniture and bric-a-brac. The most famous of these is Camberwell Market in Melbourne. Visit the historic Queen Victoria Market in North Melbourne to find inexpensive household items, clothing, shoes and gifts, along with fresh produce and delicatessen products. Explore more markets in Melbourne.  Search for regional produce markets, craft or antique fairs across Victoria.

Arts and crafts

Melbourne is in the grip of a handmade revolution. Crafty people make toys, bags, jewellery, stationery, gifts, clothes and quilts for you to buy. Search online for craft and ‘makers markets’ such as the Arts Centre Market on Sundays at Southbank; and the Shirt and Skirt fair at Abbotsford Convent.

Trading hours

General shopping hours in Victoria are weekdays from 9.00am to 5.30pm. Many shops are open for extended hours on Thursday and Friday until 8.00 or 9.00pm. Night shopping in Melbourne city is on a Friday. Most stores are open on the weekend and many supermarkets, fast-food stores and petrol stations are open 24 hours.

Discover more of the best places to shop in Melbourne and Victoria.

Bargaining

Bargaining or haggling is not common in Australia unless you are buying a second hand vehicle or used goods from a market. It is also acceptable to ask for a discount if you are paying cash for expensive items such as fridges or washing machines, or if you’re buying several items.

Tipping

Taxi drivers and service staff in Victorian bars and restaurants do not expect tips, but if you wish to reward good service, the usual amount is 10 percent.