Shopping at Sydney CBD

The Sydney experience is never complete without a visit to its many delightful shopping areas. Specialty Arcades and department stores line the streets of Sydney, and are located around most of the major Hotels.The Queen Victoria Building Shopping Center, (QVB) which can be found on George Street, near the Town Hall serves as a commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It was built in the late 1800s, was poorly maintained and neglected, post 1950 but was eventually restored during the 1980s. At present, the shopping center, with its magnificent Victorian architecture, holds 190 specialty stores, designer labels, restaurants and cafes.

The Strand Arcade, found running between Pitt Street and George Street, is another built in the late 1800s. It was opened in the 1890s, and now houses top designer brands, quaint boutiques, and jewelry stores.

The new Westfield’s dominated by the Sydney Tower (both restaurants and viewing platform) forms the core shopping area between Pitt Street and Castlereagh Street

Myers, located on the corner of George and Market Streets, is made up of seven floors of various stores, with attractive mezzanine floors to add to its flair. Most people come here for its showcase of cosmetics, the largest collection in all of Australia.

Of course, one should not forget the David Jones, located in Castlereagh and Market Streets. This is Sydney’s oldest department store; It offers top line clothing, cosmetics and a full department store range.

At the Southern end of Sydney city from the Town Hall to the Central railway is the China Town area featuring many Asian style shops, restaurants and cafes. Sydney has a large population of immigrants from many countries in Asia and this lively district opens later than the more traditional shops to their North.

At the northern end of the City close to the harbour is The Rocks district. The original settlement of Sydney took place here over 200 years ago. The redeveloped Warehouses, sailors homes and pubs provide a mixture of boutique stores, galleries, cafes and tourist souvenir shops.

Most shopping centers in Sydney are open during the weekdays, from 9 am until 5 pm, later on Thursday evenings. Both Chinatown and The Rocks have more Tourist friendly hours closing later most days of the week.