The Ultimate Melbourne Shopping Guide

The Melbourne shopping scene is unbeatable.

From all over Australia, fashion-lovers flock to Melbourne to snag a bargain or find something they’ve never seen before.

Though as any experienced shopper knows, you have to visit the right shopping destinations. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to Melbourne’s best shopping spots to help you out.

Walking into the Chadstone Shopping Centre, you’ll be blown away by the enormity of the place. Chadstone is the largest shopping centre in Australia, and is also the biggest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere. 

Known as Chaddy to the locals, Chadstone Shopping Centre contains hundreds of different stores, from luxury fashion boutiques to the everyday essentials. Little ones (and little ones at heart) won’t be able to resist visiting the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre with its LEGO 4D cinema, LEGO play area, and 2 million LEGO bricks.

Even an afternoon of window shopping is an adventure, though it’s common for fashionmongers to stay in the Hotel Chadstone Melbourne – MGallery by Sofitel so that you’re never far from the retail heart of Melbourne and you can pop by day after day.

The Hotel Chadstone is a sanctuary of style, a luxury escape within the city. Unique design and unparalleled comfort help you feel at home during your stay.

And for anyone who wants to learn more about fashion and design, pop into the Fashion Library to read up on the history of fashion and design. Finally, cool off in the indoor pool that’s surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Melbourne.

There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Melbourne beyond the awe-inspiring Chadstone.

After exploring the city and ticking off all the best things to do in Melbourne, discover the best shopping located right in the CBD.

You can find several independent retail hubs that all offer a selection of retail opportunities as well as cafés to keep you caffeinated as you walk from store to store.

The Bourke Street Mall is in the heart of the city and is only open to pedestrians and Melbourne’s iconic trams.

The open mall is home to Myer’s flagship store, which towers nine stories overhead, as well as the General Post Office, a historic post office that has been lovingly refurbished and converted into a contemporary retail space.

The Melbourne GPO is one of the city’s most iconic shopping destinations, thanks to not only the stores you’ll find within, but also the transformative aesthetic of the building itself.

The Block Arcade is a historic shopping arcade that was first constructed in the early 1890s and the impressive interior showcases this history proudly. Glass ceilings, decorative store fronts, and polished floors all make the arcade simply sing.

And the shopping isn’t bad either. Boutique stores have made The Block their home. From Haigh’s Chocolates to sophisticated fashion and jewellery to even a small gallery dedicated to the art of Seuss.

Though the most well-known attraction is The Tea Rooms 1892 where you can enjoy high tea with a slice of freshly made cake.

One of the most convenient shopping hubs in the city, Melbourne Central is easy to get in and out of with your shopping, thanks to the generous parking as well as Melbourne Central Station, located right underneath the shopping centre.

Inside, you’ll be able to wander the five levels of shopping before stopping for a bite to eat at one of the cafés or restaurants within. You can even head up to the top floor to have a game of ten pin bowling for some added fun.

The Novotel Melbourne Central located next to Hardware Lane is the ideal accommodation option for shopping enthusiasts who are looking to stay right in the thick of it.

The hotel is just a short walk away from some of the best shopping in the city, and for any foodie, Hardware Lane is the place to be.

Restaurants, cafés, and bars sprawl onto the laneway, inviting you in for a drink after you’ve spent your day shopping.

The Queen Victoria Village, or QV Melbourne as it’s often known, is an urban village of several different businesses. Over 100 different stores make up the QV, as well as cinemas and several restaurants.

Most notable, the heart of QV Melbourne is the open courtyard, the QV Square. Here you’ll find picnic tables as well as plenty of restaurants surrounding the square for you to choose from. The green turf underfoot helps transform the space into a bridge between retail and nature.

In contrast to the historic buildings that make up many of Melbourne’s shopping centres, Emporium Melbourne is contemporary in every regard.

Clean lines, glass walls, and industrial-inspired styling greet you inside Emporium. As do many luxury stores that make Emporium stand out as a luxury shopping centre.

When Melbournians are looking to buy that special something with a little more glamour, they often head to Emporium.

The Chapel Street Precinct is more than just shopping, it’s a living part of the Melbourne culture.

Chapel Street is home to unique boutiques as well as cafés and bars. Vintage stores with one-of-a-kind wares, homeware stores with that extra something to bring your living room alive, and beloved national brands all claim their spot along Chapel Street.

Chapel Street Precinct is south of the CBD, in the heart of South Yarra. With that in mind, consider staying closer to the precinct’s shopping in The Como Melbourne so you’re only moments away from this unique shopping district.

This boutique hotel sits on the corner of Chapel Street and Toorak Road, the ultimate convenient location for dropping off your shopping from the morning, freshening up, and heading back out for lunch and the afternoon’s shopping session.

On the south-west edge of the Melbourne CBD is the South Wharf DFO, the ultimate outlet shopping destination in Melbourne. Fashion, accessories, footwear, electronics, luggage, and homewares are all on display in the DFO.

The massive range of different products helps the DFO stand out from other shopping centres, though most people come and stay for the unmissable outlet prices on some of their favourite brands.

Shop all day and retire to your South Wharf accommodation for rest and relaxation before another day of Melbourne shopping.

In the suburb of Prahran is the Pran Central Shopping Centre, another heritage listed building with Edwardian baroque styling to make any shopping trip feel glamourous.

You might not find as many stores in Pran Central as you will in other shopping centres, but you will find elegant stores and fantastic dining within. 

Pran Central is conveniently located quite close to Prahran Market, so if you’re still itching to shop, you can just walk down the street. The market vendors sell fresh produce, flowers, specialty foods and beverages, and (of course) coffee. 

If you’re in the mood to go shopping but you’re less interested in the bustling excitement of one of Melbourne’s large shopping centres, Pran Central and Prahan Markets are a good way to spend the day. 

Previously known as Harbour Town, the District Docklands is a sprawling shopping centre in inner-west Melbourne.

The Docklands flow down a pedestrian-only street, ending at the Melbourne Star Ferris Wheel. Along the way, the open space often plays home to several pop up shops as well as installations to keep the District Docklands one of the most exciting and family-friendly shopping centres in Melbourne.

You’ll find fashion, electronics, shoes, sporting goods, and more for sale in the Docklands, as well as beauticians, tailors, and barbers to keep your look on-point.

You’ll be able to grab lunch from one of the many dining options, or even just get yourself something sweet from San Churro Chocolateria. Finally, try a round of minigolf before leaving the Docklands for the day.

Make the trip home quick and convenient by staying in a hotel right near Docklands Melbourne.

There are many, many markets to discover in Melbourne, and there’s no way to cover them all during a short holiday or staycation. So instead, we recommend visiting a few of the best Melbourne markets you’ll find. 

South Melbourne Market

The South Melbourne Market has been a staple of inner-city Melbourne life since 1867. The range of vendors spans from skincare to leather goods to terrariums to watches and clocks.

And of course, you can always pick up some fresh produce and maybe a French pastry baked right before your eyes. You’ll have plenty of options for lunch (and coffee) as you spend your day in this south Melbourne shopping haven.

St Kilda Esplanade Market

Breathe in the fresh sea air as you walk through the beachside St Kilda Esplanade Market.

Born in the 70s, the St Kilda Esplanade Market features over a hundred unique stalls. Within these stalls, you’ll find hand-crafted artwork, woodwork, jewellery, accessories, children’s toys, original designed clothing, artisan food products and much more.

The St Kilda Esplanade Market is a great shopping adventure and it’s a fun way to find an unexpected gift for a loved one (or for yourself).

Rose Street Market

The Rose Street Market stands out from most other markets—it’s an Artists’ Market. The market was inspired by and roughly based on the artists’ markets of London, Berlin, and New York, but each stall has a distinct Melbourne vibe.

Hand-crafted homewares, accessories, jewellery, clothing, artwork, and more bring the markets to life each weekend, and there’s always something new to discover each time you visit.

Get yourself a keepsake or memento to remember a trip to Melbourne, or find something to give to a loved one to show them how much you care.

Queen Victoria Market

Locally known as Vic Market, the Queen Victoria Market is an important shopping hub in the north of the CBD. Not only is the building itself heritage listed, the vendors within have a long history with the market and locals regularly stop by for their weekly essentials.

Fresh produce can always be found, but so can a scoop of ice cream—perfect on a hot day—and indulgent sweet treats. The Vic Markets aren’t just food though.

Specialty shopping vendors like local artists and designers regularly sell their wares at the markets. From fine merino wool knitwear to hand-carved bamboo crafts to stunning Australian opals.

It can be easy to lose hours if not days to the markets as you wander from stall to stall.