Beach scene (Explored 3 March 2012) by Indigo Skies Photography via Flickr Creative Commons

There are a number of cities in Queensland that boast bountiful shopping opportunities. However, Brisbane takes the cake. From flea markets to fascinating malls, Queensland is home to some of the most expensive areas in Australia so be sure to pack your plastic.

When it comes to Queensland’s best shopping sites, downtown Brisbane has several different districts and shopping attractions. Queen Street Mall is the largest pedestrian mall in the state, and contains a plethora of stores. Brand name retail, souvenirs and jewelry can all be found here. Edward Street is another area containing excellent shopping centers and malls, including the Wintergarden and Queens Plaza. The Southbank Markets are open every Sunday, and dotting the city of Brisbane are numerous Westfield Shopping Centers, with the largest found at Chermside and Indooroopilly.

The Gold Coast, a famous tourist trap, is home to fantastic shopping, touristy or not. Souvenirs are found around Cavill Mall in Surfers Paradise, but this district also has a number of stores and centers for local goods. Centro Shopping Plaza and Chevron Renaissance are two of the best retail areas.

One of the most high-end areas in Queensland is Noosa’s Hastings Street, which 20 years ago, was nothing more than a small coastal resort area. Nowadays, some of the state’s most high end boutiques can be found here.

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