Shopping in Western Australia

Article by: Elizabeth
Last updated: Tuesday, 11-Jul-2006 00:00:00 CEST

Shopping hours in the cities of Perth and Fremantle are normally 8.30 to 5.30 and 12 to 6 on Sundays. Late night shopping varies from city to city. Suburban shopping areas generally have more restricted trading hours, but might be worth exploring to pick up a bargain.

Major shopping Areas Catering for Tourists

Perth - Hay and Murray Street shopping malls and the many arcades between them and St George's Terrace provide all the opportunities needed by the most devoted shopper.

Specialities include aboriginal artefacts, clothes, leather goods, duty-free goods, souvenirs, opals, gold jewellery and pink Argyle diamonds. Late night shopping on Friday. Fremantle - The centre of Fremantle has many speciality stores including bookshops, souvenirs, clothing, leather, pottery and works of art. The port city is also famous for its lively cosmopolitan atmosphere, its al fresco eating and the famous Cappuccino Strip (South Terrace).

Subiaco - A close-city suburb that retains much of its old world charm. Specialising in smart clothes, antiques, souvenirs and art are the main items of interest to tourists. But take time to admire the original Federation architecture of Subiaco houses or to stroll through inner-city bush-land in nearby King's Park and enjoy the view of Perth from Mt Eliza. Late night shopping Thursday.

Rockingham - Some 40 km south of Perth, Rockingham shopping centre stays open 7-days a week. The ideal place for the shop-a-holic to pass Sunday.

Claremont - No visit to Perth would be complete with a trip to Claremont for some tremendous shopping. It's easy to reach by bus, train or car and there is plenty of handy free parking. Look for Australian and European fashion labels, fine crystal, china, jewellery, unique art galleries and couture fabrics.

Gift Ideas. Rich, red jarrah wood, is used for everything from ornaments to furniture. Other decorative timbers include banksia, blackbutt and other eucalypts. Dried wildflowers and gum nuts make a unique and long lived gift. Most of the world's opals are mined in Australia. Look for bright colour, brilliance, attractive patterns and clarity.

Most opal specialists will be willing to help you choose a great value stone. Western Australia produces some of the world's best cultured pearls in farms close to the northern coast. Opal Strike is a family owned store located in Plaza Arcade in the heart of Perth City. They are renowned for their first class friendly service. Opal Strike offer a complete opal information service. They mine their own opal in Coober Pedy and are opal cutters, providing loose stones to the opal industry. So you can feel confident that you will receive professional advice and will feel at ease when making a decision on what opal is right for you. You are welcome at Opal Strike the family opal store.

Look for a range of colours or matching sets for bracelets and necklaces. Diamonds are mined in the Kimberleys. Apart from the usual clear diamonds look for the rare cognac, champagne and the rarest, pink diamonds.

Australian wine enjoys a well-deserved reputation for quality at a reasonable price. Shipping home can be easily arranged. When making your purchase, whatever product, be sure it is a genuine one by choosing from reputable outlets.

Where to shop Whether you're looking for designer fashion, souvenirs, Aboriginal Art, antiques or local fresh produce, you can find a wide variety of shopping options in and around Perth and Fremantle.

City shopping Perth's central shopping area is a designated tourist precinct which means, most city stores are open seven days a week.

There are two major department stores in the city precinct, Myer, bounded by Forrest Chase and the Murray Street Mall, and David Jones, between the Murray and Hay Street Malls. Each specialises in brand cosmetics and fashions.

For gemstone and souvenir shopping with a quaint old English flavour, London Court is a favourite. The Murray and Hay Street Malls, Forrest Chase and Perth's many arcades are also lined with souvenir, fine jewellery and fashion shops. At the west end of the city in historic King Street, Louis Vuitton meets Aboriginal art in a stylish amalgam of art galleries, cafes and boutiques set in a charmingly restored streetscape.

For those seeking designer goods at discount prices, head to Harbour Town on Wellington Street for a great assortment of goods from fashion, to homewares, shoes and sporting gear.

City shopping hours Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm Friday 9am to 9pm Saturday 9am to 5pm Sunday 12noon to 6pm

Fremantle For colour, style, atmosphere and funky fashion, head to the port city of Fremantle. Like Perth, Fremantle is a designated tourist precinct, with many shops open 7 days a week.

Fremantle has a fascinating range of speciality shops. Tucked away in the character-filled streets and arcades, you'll find art and craft galleries, bookshops, music shops, duty free and Aboriginal art and artefact galleries. While shopping, allow time for a coffee at one of Freo's many vibrant cafes. On weekends, join the colourful crowds who descend on the famous Fremantle Markets and E Shed Markets.

Fremantle shopping hours Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm Thursday 8am to 9pm Saturday 8am to 5pm Sunday 12noon to 6pm

Suburban shopping Some of Perth's best shopping precincts can be found in the suburbs surrounding the city. Bay View Terrace in Claremont, Napoleon Street in Cottesloe, as well as Rokeby Road and Hay Street in Subiaco are fashionable street and arcade shopping precincts with heritage charm and lashings of designer label style.

Shopping Centres For all-under-one-roof convenience and air conditioned comfort, visit one of Perth's big suburban shopping centres. Most include big department stores, an extensive array of fashion and specialty shops as well as food halls with meals at affordable prices. The following is a list of some of Perth's major Shopping Centres:

Belmont Forum Abernethy Road Cloverdale Garden City Riseley Street Booragoon Lakeside Joondalup Joondalup Drive Joondalup

Karrinyup Shopping Centre Karrinyup Road Karrinyup Westfield Carousel Albany Highway Cannington

Westfield Galleria Collier Road Morley Whitfords City Whitfords Avenue Hillary

Monday to Wednesday 9am to 5.30pm Thursday 9am to 9pm Friday 9am to 6pm Saturday 9am to 5pm Opening Hours City shopping hours Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm Friday 9am to 9pm Saturday 9am to 5pm Sunday 12noon to 6pm Fremantle shopping hours Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm Thursday 8am to 9pm Saturday 8am to 5pm Sunday 12noon to 6pm Belmont Forum Abernethy Road Cloverdale Garden City Riseley Street Booragoon Lakeside Joondalup Joondalup Drive Joondalup Karrinyup Shopping Centre Karrinyup Road Karrinyup Westfield Carousel Albany Highway Cannington Westfield Galleria Collier Road Morley Whitfords City Whitfords Avenue Hillary Monday to Wednesday 9am to 5.30pm Thursday 9am to 9pm Friday 9am to 6pm Saturday 9am to 5pm

Markets There are markets at Fremantle Fremantle Markets is not just a collection of exciting shops and stalls and entertainment. With everything from fresh and interesting foods, to fantastic crafts, gifts and the fun of buskers and artists, it's a cultural experience rich in history and tradition. No tourist visit to Fremantle would be complete without checking out this important part of WA heritage. Sir John Forest laid the foundation stone on Saturday 6 November 1897. Since this time, the Fremantle Markets have developed a unique and vibrant identity. With a wide ethnic base built over many years of immigration, the markets not only play an important role in perpetuating WA's heritage and tradition, but offer a fantastic atmosphere and dazzling display of cultural richness. Over 150 stalls are housed in a grand old Victorian building of such remarkable character that it was listed by the National Trust and Heritage Council in 1980. The precinct, which includes the Sail & Anchor Hotel, the Norfolk Hotel, the Warders Cottages and Scots Church, is also listed on the Commonwealth Government's Heritage Commission Registrar of the National Estate. Fremantle Markets is easy to get to, no matter what form of transport you use. It is located in the heart of Fremantle on the 'Cappuccino Strip' - South Terrace By Train Catch an electric train from Perth Central Station to Fremantle. The trip takes less than half an hour. The Fremantle Markets are only a short stroll from the Fremantle Railway Station. By Bus Transperth buses will take you to Fremantle leaving from various stands in St Georges Terrace via Stirling Highway or the Bus Port via Canning Highway. By Ferry Catch a ferry from the Barrack Street Jetty in Perth and enjoy the sights on the Swan River as you cruise to Fremantle, arriving at the East Street Jetty. Normal Opening Times: Friday 9am-9pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 10am-5pm Monday Public Holidays: 10am-5pm. Address: Corner of Henderson Street and South Terrace, Fremantle, Western Australia Phone: (08) 9335 2515 Fax: (08) 9336 1704 Email: info@fremantlemarkets.com.au

Malaga Markets Malaga Markets in WA have exceptionally cheap produce Our Mission - To be Fresh, Fun and Number One! To provide YOU the consumer, an easy, spacious environment which is suitable for families or individuals of any age, by having a large range of 100 + traders. Also to be able to sell quality fresh market consumables for a discounted price of up to 25% r.r.p off typical supermarket prices. We also aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible. All our waste is recycled with organic waste matter going to nearby worm farms where it is broken down to make organic fertilizers for plants. We recycle all our plastic waste, glass and paper products as well. Contact Information Telephone Office : 92499970 FAX Fax : 92499971 Postal address Cnr Beach Road and Alexander Drive, Malaga http://www.malagamarkets.com.au/

Subiaco Markets Subiaco offers indoor and outdoor markets, located either side of the railway line. There are a variety of crafts, antiques, homewares and souvenirs for sale. The Subiaco Station Markets are open weekends and public holidays. The Subiaco Pavilion Markets are open Thursday to Sunday and public holidays.