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Ultimate Shopping Guide in Brisbane
Brisbane is a haven for shopaholics and a style hub for those looking to slip into the trendiest and comfiest pieces that’s perfect for the city’s subtropical climate!
You can easily find international fashion and luxury brands, as well as local designer labels, that’s why the Queensland capital is definitely no stranger to the fashion scene!
If you’re into vintage pieces, antique furniture, homeware, art, and even little trinkets that you wish to take home as a souvenir, we’ll recommend the best places, too!
So read on if you’re itching to go on a retail therapy with our ultimate shopping guide in Brisbane!
Queen Street Mall, Brisbane CBD
Website: https://visit.brisbane.qld.au/places-to-go/inner-city/
Address: Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Contact: +61 7 3403 8888
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday & Saturday, 9am – 5pm; Friday, 9am – 9pm; Sunday, 10am – 4pm (hours may vary per shopping center)
Queen Street Mall is the “queen” of shopping destinations in Brisbane. With its central location and diverse selection of shops, it’s the city’s go-to mall if you’re looking for a particular label, from well-loved fashion brands to iconic luxury brands!
The mall is on Queen Street in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. It’s a pedestrian mall that connects four shopping centers, namely, Queen’s Plaza, Wintergarden, The Myer Centre (now Uptown), and MacaArthur Central.
You can head on to Queen’s Plaza and Wintergarden for designer fashion labels such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Balenciaga, Dior, and Saint Laurent.
If you’re looking for homegrown fashion brands, there’s R.M. Williams, Lorna Jane, Scanlan Theodore, and Zimmerman. And for your go-to style basics, there’s Cotton On, Zara, Uniqlo, and H&M.
In Uptown, you can find the Coles supermarket and some specialty stores, while MacArthur Center houses the CBD’s largest supermarket!
We also recommend visiting the Brisbane Arcade and Tatersall’s Arcade to get a little taste of the city’s heritage where you’ll also find some interesting boutiques.
If you wish to explore further, you can walk to Edward and Charlotte Street where you might discover some unique finds in independent boutiques, jewelry stores, and more!
And of course, when you need to take a break and grab a bite after all the shopping, there’s lots of cafes and restaurants within and around the mall, too!
Pro Tip:
- If you want to explore one of Brisbane’s laneways, you should head to Burnett Lane between Albert and George Street. There are several cafes and bars that are perfect spots to unwind after hours of walking and shopping!
- If you’re bringing a car, take note that street parking is limited but there are Council car parks on King George Square and Wickham Terrace.
- You can take the train and get down on Central Station to get to the mall or ride a bus and get down on King George Square or Adelaide Street.
Westfield Chermside
Website: https://www.westfield.com.au/chermside
Address: Gympie & Hamilton Rds, Chermside QLD 4032
Contact: 07 3117 5300
Operating Hours: Monday – Wednesday & Friday, 9am – 5:30pm; Thursday, 9am – 9pm; Saturday, 9am – 5pm; Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Another great shopping destination north of the CBD is Westfield Chermside! It’s the second largest shopping center in all of Australia where you can find a wide variety of shops, fashion brands, cafes, gift shops, arts and crafts stores, and more.
We love coming to Westfield Chermside because it’s a one-stop-shop for the needs of the whole family. You can shop for clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, beauty and wellness products, groceries, you name it!
We also like coming here to catch a movie or to eat out on weekends. The atmosphere is festive and family-friendly, so it’s a place that both kids and adults would enjoy.
Some notable brands and stores that you can find in Westfield Chermside are Aesop, Converse, Dymocks, Lego, LuluLemon, Mecca Maxima, Dr. Martens, and more.
Pro Tip:
- If you’re bringing your vehicle to Westfield Chermside, good news is that parking is free for the first two hours! Standard parking rates apply for the succeeding hours.
- You can get up to four hours of free parking when you sign up for Westfield membership! Parking is also free when you visit at 5:30pm onwards!
- If you’re visiting with kids, there are several parents’ rooms within the mall that have a changing bench, feeding cubicle, microwave and sink, and toilets for kids and adults.
James Street, Fortitude Valley
Website: https://www.jamesst.com.au/
Address: James Street, Brisbane QLD
Contact: [email protected] / +61 7 3850 0111
Operating Hours: Hours vary per store
James Street in Fortitude Valley is the place to be for style seekers searching for the trendiest street styles and high-end fashion.
Every corner looks like something that’s straight out of a fashion magazine! It’s the perfect place to spend the day browsing the racks for the most unique pieces and strolling the streets to find the chicest cafes.
A saunter down James Street would give you a feel of Brisbane’s high-end fashion scene featuring local labels such as Natasha Schweitzer, Camilla and Marc, and Calexico!
You can also find well-loved Australian brands like Bec & Bridge, Witchery, and Wolf & Ordnance.
This shopping precinct is not just a place where you can update your wardrobe because you can dress up your dining table and kitchen as well with the prettiest homewares. You can shop at St. Barts, West Elm, Dinosaur Designs, and Jardan!
What’s more, you can even treat yourself to a manicure at Brooklyn Beauty Bar or a soothing facial at Endota Spa. Better yet, how about a relaxing massage at the Kailo Wellness Medispa at The Calile Hotel?
Of course, James Street doesn’t come short in serving sumptuous bites to satisfy your palate. Hellenika serves authentic home-style Greek cuisine and is one of James Street’s staples that you should definitely try.
We also recommend sAme sAme which serves Thai food, and Essa Restaurant and Wine Bar for some wine and cocktails.
Pro Tip:
- If James Street is your vibe, we highly recommend staying at The Calile Hotel! A visit to James Street isn’t complete without getting to marvel at this hotel’s sophisticated chic aesthetic (in other words, extremely instagram-worthy!).
- If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly accommodation, you can still visit The Calile during the day and then stay somewhere else. We recommend Sage Hotel, Ovolo The Valley, or Spicers Balfour Hotel.
Winn, California and Bakery Lane, Fortitude Valley
Website: https://thelanesfortitudevalley.com.au/
Address: 22 McLachlan Street / 690 Ann Street / 5 Winn Street / Fortitude Valley, Brisbane QLD 4006
Contact: [email protected] / 0413960400
Operating Hours: Hours vary per shop / restaurant
Experiencing Brisbane’s laneway scene is surely one of the best things to do in the city. It kind of gives you that satisfaction of discovering something hidden within the city’s bustling entertainment precinct!
Within Fortitude Valley, there are three laneways to explore that are just a few steps from one another. Winn, Bakery, and California Lane are must-visits if you find yourself at The Valley.
What’s more, the laneways are just within walking distance from James Street. So after your style jaunt at the bustling James Street, you might want to scour the laneways to look for quirky pieces to add to your wardrobe or unique souvenirs to take home.
You can find vintage, one-of-a-kind, and handmade pieces, vinyl, independent fashion labels, art, and more! So if you want an alternative shopping destination, the laneways are the way to go!
Of course, the laneways are also known for its bar scene where you can catch some live music! There are concert venues nearby as well where you can catch the best and up-and-coming local acts!
Pro Tip:
- If you’re bringing a car, you can find street parking on Brunswick, McLachlan, and Martin Streets. Or you can search “Secure Parking Fortitude Valley” on Google and find car park stations nearby.
- If you’re taking the train, the laneways are just a short walk from Fortitude Valley station and there are plenty of bus options as well.
Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
Website: https://visit.brisbane.qld.au/inspiration/shopping-paddington
Address: Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
Contact: Contact individual shops
Operating Hours: Hours vary per shop
For those old souls searching for vintage and antique pieces, from clothes, homewares, furniture, and more – visiting Latrobe Terrace in Paddington might just be your cup of tea!
Here you can spend a whole day sifting through vintage goods and collectibles at the Paddington Antique Center (now Empire Revival). What’s also interesting is that it’s set inside a heritage-listed building that used to be an old cinema.
Apart from that, there’s even a lot more to see in Paddington with shops housed in classic Queenslanders. Just taking a walk in this picturesque suburb is truly a unique shopping experience!
What’s great is you can also find shops that offer eco-friendly and sustainably-sourced products such as Biome and Calico. Other notable antique and vintage treasure troves are Green Tangerine, Barbarella’s Vintage, Vinnies, and Retro Metro Paddington.
It’s also awesome to stumble upon some local contemporary fashion brands where you’ll find the most unique and eclectic pieces. You can peruse the racks at Ra Ra Superstar, Miss Henry Boutique, Encore La Chance, and Blake & Taylor.
Protip:
- After that vintage shopping jaunt, it’s best to just relax, sit down at a cafe, and savor some bites and sips to your heart’s content. We recommend visiting Merlo Coffee Cafe and Blackout in Latrobe Terrace.
Oxford Street, Bulimba
Website: https://www.facebook.com/oxfordstreetbulimba/
Address: Oxford Street, Brisbane QLD 4171
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Hours vary per shop
Oxford Street in Bulimba is just a quick CityCat ride from the CBD and serves up a charming local village vibe that you’d definitely love to come back to again and again.
Another unique shopping destination within the River City, Oxford Street is perfect for those who’d like to find pieces that express their individuality and personal style. There are also lots of stores where you’ll find one-of-a-kind trinkets, homewares, and books.
For basics with a bit of flare, you can shop at Lunamay, if Bohemian is more your vibe, check out Fiera Boutique and House on Oxford. For stylish homewares, we recommend Indigo, Raw Hem, and Soho Bay.
There’s also a perfect place for book-sniffers and coffee-sippers! Just head to Riverbend Books, an independent Brisbane bookshop where you’ll find great reads and great coffee (perfect combination, TBH)!
Protip:
- It’s best to get to Oxford Street via bus or the CityCat ferry if you’re coming from the CBD. These are the cheapest ways to get to Bulimba and both routes will take approximately 25 minutes.
Brisbane Shopping Tips
Based on our guide above, you probably now have an idea about the most ideal shopping destination for you in Brisbane. Now, we’ll share a few tips when shopping in the Queensland capital:
- If you want to save on gas and parking fees, take public transport! It’ll be faster, cheaper, and more convenient since you won’t need to search for a parking slot.
- Wear comfortable shoes! Of course, shopping comes with a lot of walking so make sure to wear a comfy pair!
- If you’re going on a shopping spree, it’s best to just take a small bag with you with all your essentials.
- It’s also best to carry a reusable bag for small items so you won’t need to bring separate bags for several small items.
- It’s always good to have a budget when shopping so you can track your expenses. You don’t need to buy everything you see!
- Shopping is both exciting and energy-draining so it’s always good to fuel up after a tiring day! Good thing, a wide selection of cafes, restaurants, and bars are always just around the corner in Brisbane’s shopping precincts!
- Whether you shop ‘til you drop or just window shop, going on a retail jaunt in Brisbane is quite satisfying with its diverse selection of products that can cater to any taste and style!
