Top 10 Best Shopping Malls In Australia 2024/2025

Australia has long been a country where shopping is common. Shopping in Australia offers one of the numerous chances to purchase items for one's home country, ranging from necessities to recreational pursuits.a

While shopping centers, also known as shopping malls, are typically characterized as modest, single-story, roadside malls that are older and would be considered small strip malls in the US, malls in Australia are typically regarded as enormous, multi-story buildings that are frequently rather recent. Nonetheless, Chadstone Shopping Centre, the biggest mall in Australia, is referred to as a mall in everyday speech even though it has the word "shopping centre" in its name.

Opening hours of Australian shopping malls

Compared to American shopping centers, the majority of Australian malls and stores operate substantially shorter hours. Shops typically open from 8 to 9 p.m., however some may open earlier. They mostly close from 6 to 7 p.m., though some close later at 8, with the exception of supermarkets and food stores, which may close at 11 p.m. or even midnight. The majority of stores close between 9 and 10 PM on Thursdays, when there is only one exception. The largest exception is from late November to December 26. During this time, retailers stay open until 9 or 10 PM in honor of Black Friday and Christmas sales, which frequently result in extremely packed malls.

Only Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 4 PM, are Australian banks open. On Fridays, they often close at 5 PM. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) often have cash available 24 hours a day, however this is beginning to change, and currency exchange locations have longer hours and are open on weekends.

Top 10 Best Shopping Malls In Australia 2024/2025

What are there in a shopping mall in Australia?

A mall's interior features are largely comparable to those in the US and typically include the standard retail businesses, a food court, a few pop-up shops, specialty stores, and occasionally fruit stands, however not all malls have fruit stands.

Retail establishments

While Australia has a wide variety of retail stores, the following are some that tourists may find particularly interesting:

The two primary retail locations for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities are Anaconda and Kathmandu. Although it is not as widely available as the other two, BCF, which stands for Boating, Camping, and Fishing, is another option.

Two sizable apparel retailers that come in handy if you need last-minute gifts are Myer and David Jones.

The major pharmacies, often known as drug stores or chemists, include Priceline, PharmaSave, Amcal, Guardian, Chemist King, and Discount Drug Stores.

The typical traveler won't be interested in most of the other retail establishments, but the most of them are conveniently located in shopping malls in most large cities.

Food courts are primarily located in large shopping malls; they are not typically seen in parks or smaller retail establishments. A mall would typically just have one, although many of them have two.

A Maccas (McDonalds), KFC, or Oporto is usually a given in a food court; the availability of a Hungry Jacks (Burger King), a Subway, and other fast food restaurants changes based on the location. Some food courts might have a fish-and-chip store, but the rest mostly depend on how well-liked the area is. In Sydney and Perth, where other cuisines are practically nonexistent, you are far more likely to find Asian cuisine; in Melbourne, on the other hand, you are far more likely to come across South Asian cuisine.

Pop-up shops

Pop-up shops are widespread, albeit they are mostly concentrated in rural areas and outdoor malls. There may be some in indoor malls, but they're not quite as large as those outside.

Depending on the area, pop-up stores provide wildly different things.

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Top 10 Best Shopping Malls In Australia 2024/2025

1. Chadstone Shopping Centre

Address: 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone

The Australian city of Melbourne is home to the Chadstone Shopping Center. It is the nation's largest shopping center, spanning two million square feet. It was the biggest shopping center in the Southern Hemisphere until 2009. When the Chadstone debuted in October 1960, it was also Australia's first regional shopping mall and it changed the country's buying habits by luring customers away from traditional city center shopping. In the 1970s and 1980s, a bowling alley, theater, and fiberglass roof were opened. 510 stores, including Target, H&M, Aldi, and Gap, are housed there now. Its moving annual turnover (MAT) was $1.4 billion in 2013.

2. Westfield Fountain Gate

Address: 25-55 Overland Dr, Narre Warren

Melbourne, Australia is the location of the Westfield Fountain Gate. With 1,913,340 square feet of space, this shopping mall is the second largest in the nation. It debuted in November 1970 and saw renovation in the 1980s, which coincided with the arrival of international retailers Coles and Kmart. This shopping complex saw major store expansions between 2011 and 2012, including the addition of a 129,166-square-foot Myers and a 45,208-square-foot Coles. There are 6,493 parking spots and 464 stores within.

3. Pacific Fair

Address: 2/32 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach Waters

The Pacific Fair shopping center is situated in Queensland's Gold Coast. With 1,670,000 square feet of space, it is Australia's fourth-largest shopping center. This shopping mall has just 98 stores when it was opened in 1977. The Pacific Fair is not just a shopping complex but also a hub for public transportation, such as the G-link light rail and the bus route. This site has had numerous additions and renovations over the years. The most recent of these started with a $670 million investment in January 2014. It has a VMax theater, three Gold Class theaters, a casual dining patio, and an outdoor entertainment area. There are currently over 6,500 parking spaces and little over 400 stores in this shopping mall.

4. The Queen Victoria Building

Address: 455 George St, Sydney

In Sydney, the Queen Victoria Building is among the most enchanting structures. It was built in the late 19th century and is undoubtedly a stunning shopping center with a hint of traditional "European" architecture that is uncommon in Sydney. Crossing the divide, one could say it's similar to Sydney's Harrods. It appears that the city planned to hire as many local artisans who were unemployed at the time for the building, even though it started during a period of economic downturn. As a result, they designed a structure devoid of decorative elements. In actuality, you'll swiftly tour the mall and learn about all of its intricate aspects.

5. Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre

Address: 147-189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters, Gold Coast, Queensland

This mall is ideal if you want to shop and have everything close by. It's outside and crammed with hip stores and restaurants. Please be aware that, like the great majority of establishments in the city, it shuts at 17:30. You can take the free tourist bus that the city provides or the tram to get there.

6. Melbourne Central

Address: Cnr LaTrobe and Swanston Streets, Melbourne

Discover Melbourne Central, a bustling hub with more than 300 merchants spread across five floors that is home to flagship brands including Adidas Originals, Nike, and General Pants. Explore Level 3's entertainment options after business hours, including Asian Beer Café, B. Lucky & Sons, Strike Bowling, The Pancake Parlor, and Hoyts Cinema. Explore distinctive architectural treasures, like the well-known Marionette Watch at Shot Tower Square, the site of the imposing historic Coops Shot Tower. Melbourne's skyline is brightened up by a futuristic addition designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, called the Glass Cone.

7. Westfield Sydney

Address: Cnr Pitt St Mall and, Market St, Sydney

Situated in Sydney, New South Wales, is the Westfield Sydney. With 1,807,380 square feet of space, it is Australia's third-largest shopping center. There were just 52 stores when it first debuted in 1972. When this shopping mall was known as the Centrepoint Shopping Centre, it had extensive renovations in 1984, 1996, and 2000. The Westfield Group bought the land in 2003 and gave it the new moniker Westfield Centrepoint. The Westfield Group renovated four nearby shopping centers—Westfield Centrepoint, Sydney Central Plaza, Imperial Arcade, and Skygarden—for over $930 million between 2010 and 2012. Creating Westfield Sydney involved combining these four centers as part of the renovation works. 361 stores are located in this retail mall nowadays.

8. Pitt Street Mall

Address: 182 Pitt St, Sydney

Those who enjoy shopping outside will find entertainment in Sydney's well-known Pitt Street Mall. In the center of Sydney's Business District, next to the famous Sydney Tower Eye, is a bustling pedestrianized strip that features live music performances by street performers in addition to a wide variety of outdoor dining and drinking alternatives.

Enjoying a visit here is mainly about people watching, but serious shoppers will still find much to interest them, with independent boutiques, electronics stores, and family-run restaurants coexisting with major retailers like Zara, Sephora, and Tiffany & Co.

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9. The Galeries

Address: 500 George Street, Sydney

A well-liked choice among Sydney's hipster community, The Galeries is a tasteful 4-story mall in the Central Business District that houses independent retailers, boutiques, cafe-bars, and pop-up art exhibitions.

The stylish mall, which is located two minutes' walk from the Queen Victoria Building, is home to high-street and indie cosmetics companies in addition to Carhartt and Vans. One of Sydney's most renowned hair and beauty salons, Shinka, has a branch on the top level if you want to improve your style.

10. Regent Place Shopping Centre

Address: 501 George St., Sydney, Australia 2000

Regent Place Shopping Centre, located near Sydney Town Hall and a 10-minute walk from Chinatown, is a popular destination for foodies and fashionistas. For Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine, head to this tiny commercial center. You can find everything from dim sum restaurants and sushi bars to Korean barbecue and matcha tea.

Conclusion

Australia boasts an abundance of contemporary shopping centers. There are numerous international brands available in every sector of every shopping center. The top shopping centers in Australia are listed in this article. Examine the inventory and have fun purchasing!

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