Shopping in Perth

Shopping in Perth, Perth shopping, shopping hours Perth, Perth shops

Perth shopping can be a great activity to do after you are done with all the sightseeing. Not only does Perth have fancy malls, but also a variety of authentic shops that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Whether you are looking for premium-class shops or hunting for Aboriginal art pieces, you will have a blast while shopping in Perth.

Best areas for shopping in Perth

The life of Perth shopping is concentrated in a few main areas. In the Perth City itself, the most popular spots are definitely Murray and Hay Street Malls. These areas are zoned for pedestrians only, so you can relax and take long strolls in the atmosphere of fashion and style. In this part of Perth, you will find one of the famous attractions, London Court, a small bustling street that is a piece of Britain in the heart of the city.

The upmarket area in Perth, where you can look for designer clothing, shoes, handbags and jewellery is called West End. Here you will find various fashion houses and unique boutiques. And close by, on Wellington Street, is located Watertown Brand Outlet Centre, for those who are looking for good discounts and the best value for brand clothing.

For some unusual and creative finds, check out the districts of Northbridge (William Street) and Subiaco (Hay Street and Rokeby Road). After a fun day of Perth shopping, these spots are great for mingling around with locals and tourists, and experiencing the most unique bars in Perth.

Shopping centres in Perth

While shopping in Perth, it is important to understand what you are looking for. There is a large number of malls in the city where you can find popular brands. Here are some of the malls: Westfield Whitfords City (Whitfords Ave, Hillarys), Claremont Quarter (Bay View Terrace, Claremont), Garden City (Riseley St, Booragoon), Westfield Carousel (Albany Hwy, Cannington), Karrinyup Shopping Centre (Karrinyup Rd, Karrinyup), Centro Galleria (Collier Rd, Morley).

If you are looking for something special and unique, check out this article about where to find the best souvenirs in Perth like Aboriginal art, antiques and beachwear.

Perth Shopping Hours

Shopping hours in Perth are from 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, since the recent introduction of extended shopping hours. However, in many shopping centres, only a small selection of stores will be open for extended shopping beyond 5.30pm. Shopping hours on Saturday are from 8am to 5.30pm and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.

Smaller operators carrying essential items such as some pharmacies and delis (corner shops) and mini-supermarkets will also be open beyond the normal trading hours and many of these smaller shops are open until 9pm daily and open 6-7 days a week.

On public holidays most shops will be closed, however in some areas of Perth City and Fremantle, stores will normally be open, and many small operators in the metropolitan area will also be open for business. Most businesses and shops will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Currency and Paying for Goods

For shopping in Perth and the rest of Australia, Australian Dollars ($AUD) are used. Australian notes come in the following denominations: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and coins in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2. Since 1c and 2c coins were discontinued some time ago, totals when paying for goods are rounded up or down to the nearest 5c. All goods and services in Australia have a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applied.

Credit Cards: Standard credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout retail outlets in Perth. Other cards such as Amex and Diners Club can also be used for shopping in Perth outlets, however, not quite as widely as Mastercard and Visa.

Currency Exchange: Foreign currencies and travellers cheques can easily be exchanged at the major banks in Perth city, and the Perth International Airport also has foreign exchange ATMs located on the ground and first floors of the airport. Currency can also be exchanged through private exchange companies.

What to Buy While Shopping in Perth

Visitors will find an interesting array of shopping in Perth and Fremantle available. Perth offers a wide range of stores for travellers selling an assortment of souvenirs from koala bears to unique lacquered clocks made from local wood. Local sheepskin products including warm and comfortable “Ugg Boots” are readily available at very affordable prices, as well as an assortment of other products such as sheepskin jackets and slippers, in fact, you will be surprised at the range of sheepskin products produced by local companies.

Perth shopping can be amazing if you are looking for jewellery. Western Australian mining offers unique opportunities to purchase jewellery items made from gold nuggets, Argyle diamonds, Australian opals and Broome pearls.

Other locally produced arts and crafts are also widely available in Perth and Fremantle. From stores to markets, the range of unique and often hand produced goods will provide something special for every traveller to take home with them and remind them for years to come of their holiday in sunny Perth.

Duty Free and Tax Free Shopping

Duty Free and Tax Free shopping for international visitors is widely available in Perth and Fremantle, offering a range of items from jewellery, cosmetics, souvenirs, cameras, watches, clothing, sunglasses and more. To take advantage of duty free shopping in Perth, you will need to have a valid plane ticket to a destination outside Australia when you visit any of the outlets offering Duty Free and Tax Free sales.

You can also use the Tourist Refund Scheme to purchase goods tax free if you wish to use them before your departure, ask at the duty free or tax free store when you buy to make sure you meet the conditions. The best places to find a range of goods at Duty Free and Tax Free prices are in the Perth City and Fremantle shopping precincts.

Getting around

Perth City and Fremantle are accessible by regular train and bus services, or you can park the car in one of the many car parks when you arrive. Of course, once you get there, the free Central Area Transit System makes getting around within these shopping precincts a breeze. See “Busses and Ferry” and “Perth Trains” sections for more information on bus, ferry, train and Central Area Transit services available in the central Perth and Fremantle districts.

Shopping in Perth can become a memorable activity for shopping enthusiasts. The variety of goods and services will satisfy any demanding customer. Whether you are looking for well-known brands or unique souvenirs – Perth shopping spots have it all!