Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Australia, on the eastern edge of the continent, is a popular destination for surfers, hikers, theme park-lovers, and shoppers. The Gold Coast welcomes over four million tourists every year due to its favorable weather, scenic location, and eclectic mix of things to do. The Gold Coast makes a perfect travel stop if you're already visiting nearby Brisbane, just an hour north of the metropolitan region.
Many visitors come to Gold Coast for a dose of sunshine and sand, but the city is so much more than its famous beaches. There are nearby National Parks to explore, a thriving food scene, and countless fabulous fashion finds to be had. From local designer boutiques to luxury brands to big box stores, Gold Coast has a shopping experience to suit everyone.
This is your Gold Coast shopping guide to help you navigate the abundant options for retail therapy in the area. If you like large-scale malls, they have it. Prefer something smaller? They have that too. If the thought of a conventional mall puts you off Gold Coast shopping, don't worry; there are plenty of open-air markets and night markets selling unique arts and crafts that can make the perfect souvenir of your trip. When it comes to shopping, Gold Coast really has it all.
Before you head out sightseeing or shopping, make sure your bags are safe. Head to a Bounce luggage storage in Gold Coast to keep your arms free all the while knowing your luggage is secure. Now that the bags are taken care of, you can read on to find the best shopping Gold Coast has to offer:
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
Located in the Gold Coast's central hub of Broadbeach near the Broadbeach South light rail station, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre can be your one-stop shop for top and mid-range clothing brands. The shopping centre boasts over 400 stores from Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton to Zara, H&M, and Skechers. You can also shop for Australian designer fashion. If you're traveling by car, the mall is easily accessible off the Gold Coast Highway, and they offer a free shuttle from various public transportation points. The Pacific Fair Shopping Centre is anchored by K-Mart, Woolworths, Myer, Coles, and David Jones, which offer some extensive variety while staying in a more affordable price zone.
Aside from a shopping paradise, the mall has tons of dining and personal care storefronts as well. Grab a bite at Jamie Oliver's Pizzeria or get your nails done at Eve Nail Lounge. Whatever your ideal retail therapy experience demands, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre has it.
For families traveling with kids, the mall offers parent rooms equipped with entertainment for children, changing stations, and microwaves. There are concierges at your disposal and a lounge area for anyone in your group who needs a break. The centre spans over 1.6 million square feet, so it's good to pace yourself.
Robina Town Centre
Although Pacific Fair is the largest shopping center in Gold Coast, the Robina Town Centre is a sizeable competitor with a footprint of 1.4 million square feet. You'll find this bustling shopping centre in the suburb of Robina on Robina Town Centre Dr. Also with over 400 retail outlets, it might be difficult to choose between these two huge malls, but the answer is that you should probably make room in your itinerary for both.
Robina Town Centre features seven anchor stores. They are the same as Pacific Fair with the addition of Target and Big W. Overall, this mall is better suited to budget-conscious travelers as it has an abundance of mid-range stores. It's widely considered the Gold Coast's premier retail location and must be included in any Gold Coast shopping guide.
For kids, the movie theatre offers parent-free movie nights, an arcade, and a bowling alley. There is even a cooking school, and the whole family will enjoy a meal at one of the many fast-food restaurants throughout the space.
Harbour Town Premium Outlets
With a cinema and several casual eateries, the Harbour Town Premium Outlets are a destination in and of themselves and are Australia's first outlet retail experience in a major regional shopping centre. Harbour Town is an open-air mall that provides access to some of the most well-known designer brands at severely discounted prices. You'll find a new purse at Coach, a watch at Fossil, and a new outfit at Lacoste. You might also want to swing by Addidas, Nike, or New Balance for some sensible walking shoes. You'll want to keep going all day at Harbour Town!
Located in Biggera Waters on Brisbane Road just off State Route 4, Harbour Town is a wonderful place to stroll when the weather is nice, even if you're just window shopping. Grab a bite at one of the many restaurants and cafes when you get hungry. You can hit up a sports bar, juice bar, or coffee bar without leaving the premises. This is Gold Coast shopping at its finest.
Southport Park Shopping Centre
If the Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre are a little intimidating due to their size, head to the Southport Park Shopping Centre instead. Southport Park has a perfectly manageable 53 stores with Target, Woolworths, and Aldi as the large storefronts. This is the ideal shopping centre when you just need a few things and don't want to spend all day combing through the treasures.
You can also pick up everything you need for a day at the beach or a quick trip to nearby Macintosh Island. The mall has a butcher shop, supermarket, bakery, and big box stores to pick up towels and sunscreen.
Australia Fair Shopping Centre
Also in Southport, the Australia Fair Shopping Centre offers a little something for everyone with over 200 stores and services. This is the ideal mid-size mall with 640,000 square feet of shopping centre space. Although the mall contains some international stores like Foot Locker and K-Mart, it also has an enviable selection of Australian stores that you likely won't find outside the country.
The Australia Fair aims to be more of an event destination than one of the typical shopping centres you might be used to. Seasonal events at Christmas, Easter, Halloween, and in the summer draw large crowds. They offer paint nights, a book swap, a kid's play area and so much more. The Australia Fair shopping Centre manages to cram a lot of fun into a relatively small space compared to some of the larger shopping centres in Gold Coast.
The Oasis Shopping Centre
Another shopping center destination in Broadbeach is The Oasis. Featuring designer fashion stores aplenty coupled with lower-end brands, this shopping centre won't disappoint. The variety of goods sold here is truly amazing. You can get everything you need for a day on the water at beachwear shops, a unique piece of jewelry to commemorate your trip, a sought-after antique, or even an area rug all in one location.
The Oasis Shopping Centre is an attractive retail option due to its central location. It's adjacent to the spectacular Kurrawa Beach and not far at all from the Broadbeach North light rail stop.
Paradise Centre
Featuring large retailers like Woolworths, pop-up shops, and countless family-friendly events, Paradise Centre is a great place to spend the day in Gold Coast. You can get a tattoo, something to eat, and a massage all in one place and the shopping isn't bad either. The shopping centre is located right in the main tourist district very close to Surfers Paradise Beach. For a little fun between purchases, visit the Timezone entertainment arcade onsite. It's actually the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. To top it off, there's also a bowling alley and Holoverse Dinosaur World full of holographic dinosaurs and other creatures.
The stores at Paradise Centre tend to favor Australian brands and this gives the area a local feel. It's a great spot to shop for souvenirs and some stores sell funky fashion pieces for that perfect outfit that you won't be able to find back home. It's located bang opposite the iconic Surfers Paradise Beach and best of all, this shopping centre is open late.
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
The open-air Surfers paradise beachfront markets are a fantastic way to spend an evening outside while shopping for unique creations. It's a night market with tons of stalls selling everything from paintings to clothing to jewelry. As you wander the beachfront markets, you'll be treated to live music and stunning ocean views from the Paradise Beach Esplanade. Open every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 4 pm to 9 pm, you'll also find some of the best local wares here. They have seasonal produce and other gourmet food products, as well as craft beer and wine. This is definitely the place to go if you like to shop local.
You simply can't beat the location of these markets right on the beach. If you've enjoyed a relaxing day on the sand, the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets are the ideal way to wind up your day. If you're hungry from a day of sightseeing, this area has some of the best street food stalls in Gold Coast. The stalls change every so often so this place is a must-visit every time you're in Gold Coast.
Carrara Markets
If you prefer a more unique shopping experience, consider a trip to the Carrara Markets. Hopefully, your trip covers the weekend, though, because most of the stores are closed during the week. On the weekend, the place comes alive and most Gold Coast locals head here at some point. For lovers of craft markets, the Carrara Markets are sure to have just the thing you've been looking for.
In terms of the goods on offer here, they have pottery, plants, clothing, and so much more. The selection varies, but some rare finds in the antique market are bound to pop up. Make sure that you don't eat before you head to the Carrara Markets because the food is certainly part of the experience. You can enjoy a Japanese crepe, exotic candy, churros, and Thai food as you wander the stalls. In all, there are over 350 of them.
Miami Marketta
A little south of Gold Coast in the Miami district, the Miami Marketta is worthy of a mention on a Gold Coast shopping guide. It's a casual night market that features both indoor and outdoor shops and restaurants. The venue is lit up with neon and twinkle lights and is popular with Gold Coast locals and it's open every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm. The market operates out of a laneway and has a focus on street food mixed with art and live music. The shopping is fun here, but the atmosphere is what keeps people here all evening.
Conclusion
Gold Coast shopping can involve everything from malls to open-air markets selling all the best fashion, food, handmade goods, and art. In short, your Gold Coast shopping experience can be anything you want it to be and this guide highlights all the best spots to include on your itinerary.
Shopping is a passion for some, and for others, it can be a great way to spend a day in air conditioning out of the scorching sun. It's also ideal to escape the rain. No matter what your reasons are for visiting Gold Coast, come for the beaches and stay for the shopping!