World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Melbourne  - Shopping
Shopping

Residents of Melbourne take their shopping seriously and this is reflected in the number of shopping arcades and markets dotted throughout the city. Some of the arcades are architectural masterpieces in their own right. Melbourne Central on Lonsdale Street has a magnificent glass cone covering the famous Shot Tower, the only feature remaining from the Lead Pipe & Shot Factory. There are over 200 shops, including many Australian designer outlets and the Daimaru international department store. The Block Arcade, on Collins Street, Melbourne's main shopping street, is a grand Victorian building and this is reflected in the shops which sell elegant leatherwear, glassware and couture. Nearby is the Royal Arcade, which features antique and gift shops. Linked by a footbridge to Melbourne Central is a city institution, Myer, the biggest single department store in Australia, established over 80 years ago. Next door is the new David Jones, a department store noted for its tempting food hall.

Many of the department stores stock typically Australian products and the best goods to look out for are woollen garments, bush gear, handcrafted jewellery, particularly opals, woodwork design and ceramics.

The exclusive shops along Toorak Road offer the latest designer labels, while young, independent designers have outlets on Chapel Street. Shoppers with more bohemian tastes will find Brunswick Street in Fitzroy a veritable Aladdin's cave of clothing shops and craft stores.

Melbourne has a number of markets throughout the city, but the most outstanding is the Queen Victoria Market on Victoria Street. The market was traditionally a place to buy foodstuffs but now it is possible to buy almost anything in the various halls and quaint shops.

Standard opening hours are 0900-1700 Monday to Saturday with late-night opening on Thursday and Friday. A few supermarkets are now open 24 hours and many major department stores and shopping centres are also open on Sundays. From 1 July 2000, Australia's new tax system will incorporate a 10% Goods and Services Tax, with a resulting overnight increase in prices. There are several duty-free shops in the city centre, as well as at the airport. Shoppers must show their passport and onward ticket on collection of goods.



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
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