10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Adelaide

Attracting 22 million visitors annually, Rundle Mall is technically a car-free shopping street, home to over 700 retail stores, 15 arcades and centres and 300 services. The sheer variety of stores spans everything from hats and button bars to vintage photography and watch repairs, via the usual global fashion, beauty and homeware brands you would expect to be based in a city of Adelaide’s scale.

Rundle Plaza and Adelaide Arcade are 2 of the self-contained malls within the mall, with the former having undergone a recent refurbishment, modernising the 1960s building to create an elevated dining experience, “The Terrace at Rundle Mall Plaza”, overlooking the busy pedestrianised strip.

One of South Australia’s most visited tourist attractions, food fans flock to Adelaide Central Market for a variety of artisan and multicultural produce underneath the roof of a splendid redbrick building. Conceived in 1869, today the market comprises over 70 stalls and is still a traditional fresh produce market selling vegetables, fruit, seafood and meat in addition to health foods and smallgoods.

The influence of Adelaide’s Chinatown, which blends with the Western side of the market, can be seen in the restaurants and cafes surrounding it. With Victoria Square to the right, a handy tram stops right outside on King William Street. Or make use of one of the 1,000 undercover car park spaces.

Despite those hipsters in the know calling the area “Queen Street”, the shopping and cafes are actually to be found on the next block along, on Elizabeth Street. Featuring an eclectic mix of independent boutiques, vintage shops selling fashion and furniture and trendy cafes, the local creative folk have also decorated the area with colourful street art.

For those who are serious about brunch – and let’s face it, who doesn’t love an Eggs Florentine? – Queen Street has the meal between breakfast and lunch covered. Head to the inner west suburb for a morning’s amble amongst the shops, stopping for a coffee at one of the independent roasters serving up liquid gold – don’t forget to get some beans to go.

Harbour Town Premium Outlets offers bargain hunters the chance to bag a designer discount in one of over 120 global stores at its open-air complex next to the airport. Well-known international brands offering discounts of up to 70% include Nike, North Face and Australian favourite undergarment shop, Bonds.

As you would expect from the Harbour Town brand, all the stores are well designed, spacious and air-conditioned and there’s an inviting selection of food outlets available from fast food takeaways to sit-in restaurants. Providing ample free parking for visitors arriving by car, the outlet is only 15 minutes’ drive west from Adelaide city centre and only 5 minutes’ drive from the airport.

Stylish, inclusive and supportive of small business is how the East End of Adelaide markets itself, and the fashionable traders and foodie emporiums based in this area reflect the cool yet welcoming cafe-culture vibe. For followers of fashion, there are over 30 boutiques selling both Adelaide labels and premium international brands as well as vintage and second-hand shops for perusal.

When it comes to getting your caffeine fix, over twenty coffee shops jostle for attention, all serving top-notch, barista-made, bean-to-cup beverages. Alternatively, for a special occasion, head to the former Adelaide Fruit and Produce Exchange, which now houses fine dining and upmarket restaurants. The East End is to be found in the streets around Rundle Street, east of Rundle Mall.

For some suburban shopping, head to The Parade in Norwood, a tree-lined stretch home to over 250 shops and cafes and a lively restaurant scene. Spanning from Fullarton Road in the west to Portrush Road in the east, a promenade down the parade would take roughly 20 minutes but you’ll need all day if you want to spend time browsing the many eclectic shops on offer.

Travelling with kids? The Parade contains several family-friendly activities including a park, a large cinema and lots of gelato stores for keeping them sweet. For feeding or changing little ones in privacy, there is a parents’ room available at Norwood Place, 1 of the 5 shopping malls along the parade where you can also find accessible public toilets.

Opened in 1885, Adelaide Arcade has retained its elegant façade and its resplendent interior, enticing many of Australia’s most luxe independent brands to locate here. With the entrance to be found opposite the fountain on Rundle Mall, the arcade is home to high-end jewellery and fashion designers, as well as tailors and tattoo artists.

Feeling inspired by the building’s architectural grandeur? A self-guided tour is available with a brochure, or you can follow the audio-visual tour on your smartphone. The free Adelaide Arcade Museum also hosts a fascinating collection of historical artefacts, vintage clothing displays and newspaper clippings.

With the majority of stalls focusing on sustainability, Gillies Street Market is an innovative concept. Branding themselves “the people’s market,” the organisers bring together artists, up-cyclers, restorers and thrift seekers to the Old Brick Dairy, a large indoor space at the historic Adelaide Showgrounds.

In addition to the pre-loved and vintage sellers, Gillies Street Market has always championed emerging designers, so you might just buy a piece from a future fashion icon. Foodies are catered for with a range of local food vendors and the kids will be entertained by live music. The market aims to run once a month at the weekend, but the dates are variable so check social media for exact details.

The Myer Centre Adelaide is the largest of the shopping centres on Rundle Mall, the super-sized shopping strip in the heart of Adelaide’s central business district. Set over 6 levels and at over 645,000 square feet, browse top international brands and encounter Australian retail giant – Myer, which has a large department store in the centre which takes its name.

Feeling famished? “Food Underground”, the subterranean food court under the Myer Centre, will spoil you for choice with takeaway treats, international cuisine and cafes. Fully accessible, the mall has wheelchairs for loan free of charge and a parents’ room for feeding and changing little ones.

Two natural-light-filled atriums create an airy and relaxing shopping experience at Burnside Village. Located in the leafy suburb of Glenside, the mall is home to premium Australian and international brands and a village market selling everything from sushi and flowers to fresh fruit and vegetables. In need of a glow-up? You’ll find luxury spas and beauticians offering rest and relaxation.

Dotted around the centre to enhance the shopping experience are 12 unique artworks including a beautiful dollhouse and several bronze sculptures of figures. Less than a 10-minute drive from the central business district, there’s ample free parking available and many bus routes serve the mall.