10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Melbourne

Bourke Street Mall is widely recognised as pne of Melbourne’s most iconic shopping destinations. Located in the city centre, this pedestrian-only retail and dining hub is lined with leading department stores, high-end boutiques and independent designers. Plus, talented buskers provide a soundtrack echoing off the surrounding buildings.

Some of most famous shopping stops along the Bourke Street Mall are Myer and David Jones. These department stores present several floors of fashion, homewares, electronics and more. Meanwhile, Melbourne's GPO – set in a striking refurbished post office – is packed with innovative fashion boutiques and quirky cafes.

The Chadstone Shopping Centre is a great destination for those looking to shop for almost everything in 1 place. Set about 18 km from Melbourne's CBD in the southeastern suburb of Malvern East, this immense landmark first opened to customers in the 1960s. It now hosts more than 500 stores and services catering to every niche imaginable.

Nicknamed ‘The Fashion Capital’, the Chadstone Shopping Centre is where style-focused shoppers can browse a myriad of luxury and high-street brands. Standouts include Dior, Chanel, Tiffany & Co and H&M. Alongside multi-level department stores like Myer and David Jones, the complex has a cinema, expansive food courts, and even a Legoland Discovery Centre.

Collins Street is a must-visit for fashionistas looking to check out beloved international brands and ultra-chic local designers in Melbourne. In particular, the so-called ‘Paris End’ of Collins Street at the eastern tip presents a series of lavish boutiques and heritage-listed buildings that recall the glamour of the French capital.

Here, you’ll encounter a great selection of luxury European designers, including Dior, Burberry, Chanel and Giorgio Armani. Nearby, the fashionable 80 Collins precinct has 20 stylish retail stores and a variety of first-class dining experiences, while The Block Arcade provides a fascinating glimpse into the city's affluent legacy.

Chapel Street is best known for 2 activities: nightlife and shopping. Spanning 4 km through upbeat neighbourhoods like South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor and St Kilda, this vibrant thoroughfare offers a vast selection of retail experiences that capture Melbourne’s fashionable side.

The South Yarra end of Chapel Street is where you’ll find many lavish stores, including the White Luxe Boutique, Jolie & Deen and Gorman. For something a little more offbeat, delve into the Chapel Street Bazaar tp spend hours browsing vintage toys, furniture, homewares, and more.

Melbourne Central is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city, This sprawling shopping centre and transport hub is crowned by an enormous glass cone rising to 20 storeys. Inside this vast space, visitors will come across a superb variety of retail and dining options, including flagship stores from many of the world’s biggest brands.

Stock up on the latest athletic wear at Nike, Adidas and New Balance, or shop upmarket fashion from brands such as Gorman, Levi’s and Carhartt. As you move through this cavernous multi-level complex, you’ll also discover a large food court, alongside a cinema and a selection of welcoming bars and pubs.

Flinders Lane is arguable the best-known of Melbourne’s trendy thoroughfares. This narrow shopping and dining strip runs east to west through the CBD cityscape. Historically, it was home to the city’s 19th-century textile industry, with many of the same buildings now housing big names in fashion and design, like Alpha60 and Aesop.

This bustling laneway is also beloved for its award-winning restaurants, cafes and bars. Head to Supernormal to experience the best of modern Australian cuisine, or Kisumé for sophisticated Japanese dining. If you’re looking for creative inspiration, the Flinders Lane Gallery offers a look into the local contemporary art scene.

South Melbourne Market has been providing locals with freshly grown fruit and vegetables for over 150 years, making it one of the longest continuously running markets in the city. Situated just a short tram ride from the CBD, this lively marketplace is also great for loading up on meat, baked goods, and groceries.

South Melbourne Market also hosts an array of traders specialising in local fashion, jewellery, toys, and homewares. Plus, it wouldn’t be a Melbourne market without a top-notch selection of speciality coffee shops – we highly recommend Padre Coffee and Canteen.

Queen Victoria Market (QVM) has been operating on the edge of Melbourne's CBD since 1878, making it a staple of the city's shopping scene. There are over 600 stalls to explore in this enormous semi-covered space. You can browse an unmatched variety of goods, from fresh produce and coffee to clothing and souvenirs.

To accompany this exceptional shopping experience, a wealth of food trucks, stalls and carts serve global fare, including Lebanese street food, traditional Filipino BBQ, handmade French macaroons, and Asian-style bao.