Melbourne Travel Forum

Hi there :)

I have had a wee search but there is a bit of a mixed response on where to go shopping in Melbourne. So can anyone please help me out with this? We are going to be based in the Melbourne CBD. We won't be travelling out of Melbourne itself & won't be doing any long bus trips etc due to having a young baby with us & still trying to stick to "some sort of routine". It's going to be a bit of a laid back & much needed break. We have chosen to stay during the week but also over the weekend so we can be part of both on our stay.

Will we be satisfied with sticking within the CBD & pretty much walking most places?.. We will have a stroller for bubs :) It does sounds like the public transport is pretty damn good, from what I have been told on this site :)

Thanks

Hi
You can shop till you drop right in the CBD, so you don't need to venture far. The city has a couple major department stores (Myer and David Jones) as well as countless boutique and other stores. There are some nice arcades to visit as well as shopping centres within the shopping precinct (Melbourne Central). You will have fun discovering all that's on offer.

If your into fashion (funky stuff) then a visit to Chapel street is worthwhile (tram ride). And if your into markets then the Victoria market (also in the city) is wonderful. Lots of restaurants and coffee shops, cinemas and theatres - all walking distance.

Don't spend too much!
John

There are heaps of places in the CBD for shopping. There's Melbourne Central which is a big shopping centre, Bourke St Mall which is a shopping strip, Swanston St, or another shopping centre called QV. If you go for a walk around bourke st and swanston st you will find heaps of stores. I hope that helps.

Melbourne is well serviced by shopping centres and direct factory outlets but there are plenty of options in the CBD as well.

The main city shopping grid consists of Flinders Street, Swanston Street Latrobe Street and Elizabeth Street with lots of arcades within this precinct and the Bourke Street Mall at its centre.

As previously mentioned Melbourne Central which has just undergone a massive re-vamp is located on the corner of Latrobe and Swanston Streets. This can also be accessed by walking through Myer from the Bourke Street Mall. They have late night shopping on Fridays until 9pm.

There are a number of other shopping areas and streets which are easily reached by tram. I suggest you avoid the morning and evening peak hours as the trams can be very crowded.

Melbourians like factory outlet shopping centres known by them as DFO's The closest centre to the CBD is attached to Spencer Street Station where the airport Skybus has their city terminal. Trams 86, 95 and 96 stop right in front on the intersection of Bourke and Spencer Streets. The free City Circle tram stops nearby as well.There is also a DFO at Essendon which can be reached by tram number 59 from Elizabeth Street. Get off at stop 47 in the Essendon shopping strip. You can walk to the DFO from here but a short taxi ride (around AUD6.00) would be easier with the stroller.

Bridge Road in Richmond has a number of factory outlets as well. Take tram 48 or 75 from Flinders Street. You will pass the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the way.

Smith Street in Collingwood for sports warehouses. Take tram 86 from Bourke Street.

There are some funky shops, great restaurants and luscious cake shops in St Kilda. Tram 96 from Bourke Street or tram 16 from Swanston Street will get you there in under 30 minutes.

You need a urologist

Agree with all of the above answer, however, whilst not in the CBD you could always try Chadstone Shopping Centre, the largest shopping centre in Melbourne. It is located not far from the City and could be a good option if weather not so great, check out their website for further information. www.cadstoneshopping.com.au.

We've got so many shops in Melb its about time we started to export them to NZ - LOL.

Now I know the girls like to shop till they drop, but can I suggest you might like to see some of the other features of our great city tather than hole youself up in more shops - OK I'm a male who hates shopping except for a few things like food and maybe computer shops - might like to add a couple of book shops too - LOL

HI!

Just an addendum to an earlier reply. I believe there is a shuttle bus from the city to Chadstone.

And I really do believe that the city has much more to offer.

Do note late night shopping are on Thurs and Fris.

I LOVE Chadstone Shopping Centre but its a city in itself. You need a whole day to see everything and its sheer size can be a bit daunting. Lots of upmarket designer stores but I just window shop at those. LOL

Thanks everyone, everyone is so helpful & nice!

If it's clothes you are after Bridge Road in Richmond is great. Just grab a tram straight from city there - it's close. (If you need baby change facilities cnr of Church and Bridge Road - Richmond Plaza). If you are down there round dinner time Silvios is a great family pizza/pasta restaurant. Also if you want to tram it a bit further, catch a tram from Church Street - this will turn into Chapel st, which is also fabulous for clothes. (The Jam Factory in Chapel St also has baby change facilities, as well as Borders books, cinemas and kid friendly eateries).