Shopping in Melbourne
Melbourne Central
Melbourne Central boasts an array of occupants, from Borders Books and Baby Doll (Marcs) to Hoyts cinemas. Over 300 stores reside in this contemporary architectural space that retains its historic features, such as the heritage listed shot tower, and reflects the diversity of the CBD.
QV
QV is Melbourne's new inner city laneway precinct featuring a dynamic mix of high-end fashion and lifestyle retailers and a European style piazza with cafés, restaurants and bars.
- Fashion
Albert Coates Lane is home to Australian and international fashion labels, including Wayne Cooper, Cactus Jam, Dizingof, Christensen Copenhagen, Nicola Finetti, Alberto Piazza and Guess. Boasting world renowned boutiques, many of the Albert Coates Lane stores deliver fashion to Melbourne fresh from the catwalks of Milan and Paris. Street, surf and youth fashion are based in Red Cape Lane with stores such as Street Exchange, Jaksbad, Loreak Mendian, Glue and Edge Clothing.
- Food
QV isn't just about fashion. QV Square is bordered by bars and restaurants including Lime Leaves modern Malaysian, Max Brenner Chocolate by the Bald Man, Three degrees bar brewery brasserie, Regina Pizzeria and Zaleti Cafe. For something quick and tasty head to the Urban Market and choose from sushi, Indian, wraps, juices and more or pick up your ingredients at Safeway, the first full line supermarket in the CBD.
- The rest
Shop for gorgeous homewares and gifts in Artemis Lane at stores including Matchbox, ukii, Lupicia and Riot Art & Craft. And from Aesop's world-first signature store to Skin Deep Beauty Therapy discover places where you can pamper and indulge yourself throughout the precinct. But if it's entertainment you are after, test your ball passing and goal kicking skills at AFL World or try ten pin bowling at Strike Bowling Bar.
GPO
The historic Melbourne General Post Office (GPO) reopened in August 2004 as a fashion, food and shopping precinct of serious sophistication. Covering an entire city block it houses more than 60 stores that span the spectrum of the Melbourne shopping experience.
- Fashion
GPO features some of the best names in fashion. Discover funky threads for guys and girls at Roy, Ben Sherman and Camper Shoes. Get European menswear from Satori and Harrolds Shirt. Find gorgeous gear for girls at Wayne Cooper, Akira, Zimmerman and Nicolangëla. The list of high profile contemporary brands goes on.
- Food and wine
Head to GPO Lane and discover Melbourne's newest food precinct. Savour authentic Japanese cuisine at Kenzan, enjoy Floretine-style food and wine with flair at Nostro Baretto and discover the essence of Mediterranean fare at Ca De Vin. Federal Coffee Palace is located under the Elizabeth Street colonnade and offers coffee and light meals to sustain the ardent shopper. And you can stop in at Juliet's Champagne Bar on level 1 for a refreshing glass of bubbly.
- The rest
Take a break and pamper yourself at DNA Body Boutique or Heading Out Hair & Beauty. Pick up a new bag or accessories from Mandarina Duck or Mimco, let Georg Jensen be your jeweller, and get your specs from Occhio. And finally, get books, CDs and DVDs from the ABC Shop.
Shopping in laneways and arcades
Melbourne’s historic network of laneways and arcades boasts the unique, the exotic and the quirky. Discover an eclectic and delightful mix of small boutiques selling everything from Melbourne designed fashion to Russian dolls and lollipops. Find and explore the Block, Cathedral and Royal arcades, Degraves and Crossley streets, Presgrave and Centre places and more.
- Fashion
Some of the best and brightest of Melbourne and international fashion can be found hidden away in the laneways and arcades. Cathedral Arcade is home to the Japanese-inspired Genki, the unique and cool Alice Euphemia and the groovy Route 66. Find fabulous lingerie at Smitten Kitten on Degraves Street and comfortable yoga and dance inspired pieces at BODY on Centre Place. If vintage is your thing, make a beeline for Shag or Retrostar and if you want high fashion try Blonde Venus, Zambesi or Alpha 60.
- Food
Melbourne’s coffee culture surrounds you in the laneways and arcades with street cafés and funky coffee shops around every other corner. Take a break from shopping to linger over a latte and watch the world go by. Degraves Street, Centre Place and Block Place are lined with small eateries, most with an alfresco dining option, offering everything from coffee and paninis to sushi, soup and pasta. Partake in tea and cake at the historic Hopetoun Tea Rooms (dating back to 1893) in the Block Arcade, grab an authentic Belgian waffle from Waffle On in Degraves Street or climb the stairs to Hell's Kitchen in Centre Place.
Melbourne Shopping Secrets
Whether you’re after high fashion or fine art, Melbourne’s ever evolving shopping choices make it difficult to decide where to start your spree. Explore Melbourne Central, discover the QV and GPO precincts and lose yourself in laneways and arcades.
Discover fantastic fashion at Husk, Alice Euphemia and Chiodo. Find a forgotten gem in retro stores Shag and Retrostar, gorgeous jewellery at e.g. etal and unique lingerie at Smitten Kitten. And then revive yourself with hot chocolate and coffee at Koko Black or Max Brenner.
