Melbourne has long been recognized as Australia’s shopping and fashion capital. If it’s fashion you’re seeking then Melbourne has it covered .The city is also a great place for buying fresh food. Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere

The city’s most famous tree-lined shopping street is Collins Street, home to high end jewellery , fashion , shoes  and luxury goods (think Ralph Lauren, Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Bally, Salvatore Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton).
You’ll also find multi-level shopping centres Collins Place, Collins Two3Four and Australia on Collins, all packed with fashion, homewares and gift stores. A must see on Collins Street is the exquisite 19th century Block Arcade with its selection of beautiful shops including Melbourne-based Douglas & Hope (fashion and homewares) and the perennially popular Haigh’s Chocolates.

Little Collins Street has a well founded reputation as the place for the discerning to shop. The fabulous Hero Building includes Anna Thomas, a fashion fave of smart Melbourne women, plus Kenzo, Sarti, Mecca (for divine cosmetics) and Chiodo. Keeping company in the street is a diverse range of shops selling highly regarded designer men’s and women’s fashion. Store names to take note of are Verve (also a café), Leona Edmiston, Roy and AG. Little

Collins Street and neighbouring Howey Place are home to some of Melbourne’s most famous designers i. It’s also a great spot for shoes . Little Collins Street is also home to Canturi, jeweller to the stars.

Flinders Lane, once the centre of the city’s rag trade, is an unmissable shopping destination for the hip and happening.

Melbourne boutiques like Christine, Zambesi, e.g etal, Flinders Way, plus Alice Euphemia, Route 66 and Genki in nearby Cathedral Arcade and sell fashion and accessories from the eccentric to the sublime. Tiny Centre Place, running off Flinders Lane, shouldn’t be overlooked. In the thick of the atmospheric cafes and bars you’ll find fabulous shops like Kinki Gerlinki, with its fun fashion imports, Fokus with its cool range of sunglasses and watches, and Body, selling fluid and beautifully designed women’s clothing. Degraves Street plays host to the gorgeous Il Papiro (think writing implements and accessories) and Smitten Kitten (for underwear).

Bourke Street Mall is recognised as Melbourne’s shopping heart and is always pulsating with shoppers, buskers and city workers. Here you’ll find Melbourne’s two big department stores – David Jones and Myer, plus the old world Royal Arcade with its delightful mix of small shops selling everything from Russian dolls to lollipops.
Bourke Street is also home to the iconic Kosminsky, Melbourne’s most famous jewellery store. Affordable shopping chain store Target is just east of the mall in Bourke Street proper, while running off the mall are The Causeway Lane, The Walk and Centre point arcades, revealing more shopping delights.

Melbourne’s spine is Swanston Street. It is home to everything from discount souvenir shops and cheerful teenage fashion to high end jewellery stores. At QV you will also find homemaker heaven

at Harvey Norman and Domayne, along with everyday quality Merchandise at Big W.

At Southern Cross Station, you will find a new retail shopping plaza including DFO Spencer Street, home to more than 120 discount fashion, food and homewares retailers, including Country Road, Sheridan, Simone Perele and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Situated next door to Myer on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets is the new and divinely sublime GPO. This historic postal building was built in 1864, in the neo-Renaissance style fashionable during the lavish days of Victoria’s gold boom. GPO provides a highly sophisticated and contemporary retail experience and showcases the absolute best in fashion, luxury goods and dining.

QV – state of the art

On the corner of Swanston and Lonsdale Streets is QV, one of Melbourne’s latest and most exciting retail developments, which boasts an innovative mix of fashion, homewares and furniture.

For slaves to fashion, Albert Coates Lane at QV is home to a dynamic mix of high-end fashion and lifestyle retailers, many of which call QV their first Melbourne home.

Also on Swanston Street, the redeveloped Melbourne Central is now blossoming as an urban inner-city precinct presenting a style laden destination for shopping, eating and entertainment. There are over 300 stores to explore in a unique and modern architectural space, reflecting the diversity and evolution of the Melbourne CBD shopping centre. Melbourne Central is a multi-storey shopping mecca housing clothing .

Central is also home to Freedom Furniture and Borders Books.

Everyone ends up at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market at some stage. With its huge range of souvenirs and great priced clothing, it’s a veritable visitor magnet. While you’re there picking up some bargains, don’t miss the fabulous produce section with hundreds of stall holders selling everything edible! The market is open daily Tuesday – Sunday (except Wednesdays).

The Sunday Market at the Victorian Arts Centre brings together over 150 stalls of the finest arts and crafts from around Victoria.
The Sunday Market is the place to find one-of-a-kind gifts ranging from handcrafted Australian timber products and Aboriginal artefacts, to organic teas and homemade preserves. The Sunday Market at the Arts Centre is every Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

South of the Yarra River loom more shopping possibilities.

The Southgate complex features three levels of shops with over 80 unique retailers including Ken Duncan Gallery, selling mesmerising images of Australian landscapes. Follow the river west and indulge your passion for shopping at Crown Entertainment Complex with the world’s leading designers including Prada, Versace, Bvlgari, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and LK Jewellery. Urban favourites are also well represented with FCUK, Guess and Beach Culture.

Docklands – emerging retail

Docklands offers a cosmopolitan experience, just metres away from the water. Planet Surf offers big brand surf and skate clothing, while The Wine & Cheese Providores is a destination for lovers of fine wine and artisan cheeses. While you’re at Docklands, pamper yourself at Aqua

Hair Design or Papillon Day Spa and take time to browse through the quality art galleries including Victoria, Ngapa and Zephyr Galleries.