Sydney Shopping

Jewellery

Given the fact Australia produces over 90% of the world’s opals it is not surprising to find a wealth of specialist dealers. To ensure authenticity and good workmanship only purchase opals from retailers who are members of the Australian Opal and Gem Industry Association Ltd (AOGIA) or the Jewellers Association of Australia. Some of the best retailers include: Flame Opals, 119 George St, T9247 3446, www.flameopals .com.au, Mon-Fri 0900-1845, Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1130-1700; Opal Minded, 36-64 George St, T9247 9885, 1000-1800; and Australian Opal Cutters, Suite 10, 3rd floor, 295 Pitt St, T9261 2442. Pearls from the great Australian Pinctada maxima oyster, from gold to snow white, are also big business in Sydney and for some of the best and biggest look no further than Bunda, Shop 42, ground floor, QVB, George St, T9261 2210.

Shopping

Sydney can offer a superb, world-class shopping experience. The most popular shopping venues are to be found in the city centre, but many of the suburban high streets also support a wide range of interesting outlets and some colourful weekend markets.

In the city most of the large department stores, arcades, malls and specialist boutiques are to be found along George St and in the area around Pitt St Mall, Castlereagh St and King St. The suburbs of Newtown (King St) and Glebe (Glebe Point Rd) have some fascinating shops selling everything from cod pieces to second-hand surfboards. Double Bay, Mosman and Paddington (Oxford St) are renowned for their stylish boutique clothes shops and The Rocks is definitely the place to go for a didgeridoo or cuddly koala.

Clothes

You will find all the major labels in the major central city shopping streets, arcades and department stores . Oxford St in Paddington and also the suburbs of Double Bay and to a lesser extent Chatswood, are renowned for their boutique clothes stores and Australian designer labels. Names and labels to look for include Helen Kaminski, Collette Dinnigan, Morrissey, Bare, Isogawa and Bettina Liano. For designer bargains try the Market City above Paddy’s Markets in Haymarket. Finally, if you are looking for something different then head for King St in Newtown.

Markets

There are plenty of weekend markets held in the inner city that offer a range of new and second-hand clothes, arts, crafts and foods....read more