Shopping, Australia

For amazing entertainment, delicious waterside dining and incredible wildlife, Darling Harbour is the perfect destination in the heart of Sydney. Meet penguins and dugongs at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and get up close to koalas and a giant saltwater crocodile at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. You’ll find plenty more exciting things to do and see, from Sydney Harbour cruises and tall ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum to the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a tranquil haven. You can even walk the red carpet with your favourite star at Madame Tussauds, a wax museum. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour

With many things to do and see, a great way to see The Rocks is on foot. There are markets, museums, galleries and delicious food and wine experiences. Take a self-guided tour or join The Rocks Walking Tours. The I’m Free Tour starts at 6pm from outside Cadmans Cottage, built in 1816. Dave’s Pub Walks will take you to the colonial pubs in the area. The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour provides insights into indigenous culture. In a restored colonial sandstone warehouse is The Rocks Discovery Museum. You can also hire bicycles and pedal around the harbour foreshore. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/the-rocks

Heather has been teaching and working in the mosaic art field since 2003. Having created her business ‘Mosaics by the Bay’, Heather spends much of her time following her passion in the mosaic field from her seaside home on Phillip Island, where she also holds her workshops. https://www.visitphillipisland.com/listing/mosaics-by-the-bay/

Located on the Southern bank of the Yarra River, Crown is Melbourne's premier entertainment venue. Featuring one of the largest casinos in the Southern Hemisphere, Crown is also home to three world-class hotels each with their own vibrant and sophisticated setting. Crown Towers, the benchmark for luxury hotels in Australia, Crown Metropol, contemporary indulgence and Crown Promenade, stylish, award winning and thoroughly modern. http://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/Melbourne/Things-to-do/Entertainment/Crown-Melbourne.aspx

Each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night, treasure hunters, bargain spotters and after-dinner walkers make their way to the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets to wander along the coastal stretch of more than 120 market stalls, while live entertainers set a casual mood in their performance. One of the largest of the Gold Coast Night Markets, the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets feature a variety of premium products, including fashion, jewellery, accessories, artworks, photographs, beauty products and home wares. http://www.surfersparadise.com/beachfront-markets

Pacific Fair is the Gold Coast's unmissable shopping and dining destination, offering an expansive collection of luxury, iconic global brands and leading Australian retailers. With around 400 stores, Pacific Fair offers a captivating blend of the world’s best brands, all set amongst tropical landscapes and a unique outdoor ambience. Shop one of Australia’s largest collections of luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Tiffany and Co., and global mega brands like H&M, Sephora, UNIQLO and Zara. Dine 'til late at upmarket restaurants in The Resort, The Patio and The Boulevard. The Food Court offers an array of fast food options. A first–class Visitor Lounge offers coach set down and parking, free WiFi and a prayer room. Luggage storage lockers and shower amenities are available for a small fee. The complimentary Visitor Privileges Pass provides exclusive retailer offers and is available for collection from the Visitor Lounge. https://www.destinationgoldcoast.com/places-to-see/broadbeach/attractions/pacific-fair-shopping-centre

Amid the breezy dry season air on Thursday and Sunday evenings, Mindil Beach Sunset Market hosts street performers, musicians, craft stalls and a large collection of international food stalls on the stretch of parkland behind Mindil Beach. Arrive early (about 6pm) to beat the crowds. Immerse your tastebuds in Darwin's Asian food culture with a Malaysian laksa, a savoury Japanese pancake or a Thai green papaya salad. For dessert, visit Petra's Raw Cakes and munch on a raw brownie ball, or a slice of lime and macadamia cheesecake. https://www.mindil.com.au/

Since the gold rush of the late 1880s, Australia's gold has been refined by The Perth Mint and made into legal tender coins, tradeable bars and exquisite jewellery. Housed in one of the country’s most elegant 19th Century buildings, The Perth Mint is the nation’s oldest operating mint. See a live gold pouring performance in the original Melting House and marvel at the world’s largest gold coin, valued at over $50million. http://www.perthmint.com/visit_the_mint_visit_the_perth_mint.aspx

An Art Deco style shopping arcade connecting Hay Street to Murray Street in the heart of the city, Piccadilly Arcade was designed by architect William T. Leighton for mining magnate Claude de Bernales. The theatre and arcade opened in 1938 and in 1984 both the theatre and the arcade underwent a significant refurbishment and won an architectural award from the Royal Australian Institute of Architecture (WA Chapter) in 1986. The theatre and arcade are both classified by the National Trust of Australia and are included on the State Heritage Register. Although the cinema closed for business in 2013, the arcade remains alive with a vibrant mix of speciality shops. https://www.visitperth.com.au/shopping/shopping-destinations/Venues/piccadilly-arcade

Trove Canberra is a collective of artists, designers and makers local to the Canberra region with a hidden shopfront in the heart of Canberra's city centre. All products are made in Australia. Trove members work in a diverse range of mediums and create a wide selection of products which make fabulous gifts, lovely additions to your home, or something special just for you. https://visitcanberra.com.au/attractions/58a18f0c0f46d472216b972b/trove-canberra

The 'World's Biggest Merino' is a three storey structure of concrete and steel measuring 15.2 metres high and 18 metres long. This monument was built in 1985 as a celebration to Goulburn and surrounding district's fine wool industry is an impressive life-like model of 'Rambo', a stud ram from a the local property 'Bullamallita'. This unique 'big' attraction is located just off Goulburn's southern exit and stands proud as a symbol of Goulburn - 'the Fine Wool Capital of the World'. The Big Merino houses an exhibition on the 200 year history of wool in Australia. The gift shop displays an extensive range of light weight wool garments as well as a great selection of pure merino and luxurious possum merino knitwear, knitting yarn and Australian made sheepskins. They also stock cosmetics, lanolin products and souvenirs. The Big Merino gift shop is now considered to have one of the best selection of wool products in Australia. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/goulburn-area/goulburn/attractions/big-merino

Soak up the atmosphere in Salamanca Place, where Hobart’s historic, creative and cultural heartbeats. Once the stomping ground for sailors, whalers and workmen, Salamanca Place in Hobart is now home to a vibrant cultural scene. Pop into warehouse art galleries, theatres, cafés and bars, and pick up boutique jewellery and one-off fashion pieces. Visit on a Saturday and mingle with locals and tourists at the bustling Salamanca Market, or pull up a seat in one of the stylish cafés – the perfect post from which to people-watch. Pick up a pair of glass-bead earrings, a canvas satchel or a quirky print from Spacebar Gallery in Salamanca Arts Centre. Established out of a desire to support independent designers and artists, the centre is housed in a large 1800s sandstone warehouse alongside art galleries, a metal-work co-op and a theatre. https://www.australia.com/en/places/hobart-and-surrounds/guide-to-salamanca-place.html

Located in a lovely historical building, Taree Craft Cottage displays and sells a diverse range of quality items handcrafted by their talented members. This is the ideal place to shop for that perfect gift for any occasion. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/forster-and-taree-area/taree/attractions/taree-craft-centre