Photo Credit: Norman Z.

With much of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) centered around Canberra, it is not surprising that the leading shopping sites in the state are found in Australia’s capital. Although not as profound as Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane, Canberra’s shopping culture is still quite notable. Several shopping centers can be visited, along with boutique shopping districts and bustling weekend markets. Tourists won’t really find products that are unique to the state; however, they will find a plethora of fashion labels, antique shops, book stores, and crafts. Within the markets, bargaining down prices is the norm, but avoid this practice in commercial shopping areas.

Canberra Antiques Centre

The best place to find antique items is the Canberra Antiques Centre, located along Townsville Street in the Fyshwick district. Clothing, toys, vinyl records, and furniture are all on display here. The site is open seven days a week, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and this is certainly the place to go for retro and funky items at a reasonable price.

Central Shopping in the Australian Capital Territory

Within Canberra’s busy Civic district, several major shopping malls provide an impressive list of modern retail stores, restaurants, cafés, and miscellaneous shops. City Walk is the most contemporary shopping experience in Australian Capital Territory, hosting a plethora of international and home-grown fashion labels for shoppers. This landmark is actually an outdoor mall, offering peaceful al fresco dining for patrons. The most expansive shopping center in Canberra is Canberra Center. Several large department stores are housed within this complex, not to mention dozens of specialty stores. Upmarket crowds frequently visit both areas of the city center.

The surrounding satellite suburbs of Canberra are also home to several important shopping spots in the Australian Capital Territory. The Woden Westfield is a fantastic place, as it beholds a David Jones store and more than 200 specialty shops. Visitors looking to buy non-brand clothing should head to Tuggeranong Hyperdome, where K-Mart and Target fill much of the shopping demand.

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