Darwin Shopping

The Parap Markets are held Saturdays at Parap Shopping Village. One of Darwins older markets it runs year round and it a market of very good quality. Lots to choose from and a really cool atmosphere. It operates between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm. I highly recommend it for a wander one Saturday and pick up a snack for brunch.

What to buy: It has the usual market paraphenalia.

What to pay: Depends on what you buy, it ranges.

The skin from crocodiles has long been recognised internationally as a highly durable leather of great individual beauty as a finished product (supple, yet durable and the skin's small, even belly scales).

All is good for use in the crocodile, as in the pig!

What to buy:
- Crocodile flesh
- Crocodile skin Handbags
- Crocodile skin Accessories and Gifts
- Crocodile skin Wallets & Purses
- Crocodile skin Belts
- Crocodile souvenirs
- Crocodile teeth, heads and skulls
- Crocodile books
- Crocodile clothing
- ...

What to pay:
$$$

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The VT Survivor group hired our off-road trailer here, also many camping bags, inflatible mattresses, tents, cooking and eating gear – in short, most of the items needed for a camping trip. The gear was good, the service friendly and the price entirely reasonable. Should you wish also to “Go Bush”, I’m sure from our experience we’d all be happy to endorse this firm.

Now to a little story. Mal, the proprietor (that’s him in the photo) looks every bit a hardened Territorian who would make a great assistant to those stereotyped ‘tough Aussie bush blokes’ you see in the movies. So what’s that in his hand in the photo and what’s he telling us?

Well, it rather seems that a small bird called a Dusky Honeyeater made a nest in a bush outside the shop’s door. Mal watched the birds nesting and in due course the chicks emerged. One day he arrived in the morning to find that, overnight, a wandering drunk had broken the branch with the nest and the chicks were on the ground. He took the nest inside, found some hessian and twine with which to repair it, then tied the branch back to the bush and returned the chicks. It all worked, the birds came back, and a week later the chicks were able to fly. He has kept the repaired nest and proudly showed us that and the dried branch. So despite the “buffalo catcher” appearance, he’s just a “sensitive new-age guy”! And a nice bloke to do business with.

What to pay: That will depend entirely on what you need! We thought it all good value though.

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Mitchell Street is the heart of Darwin's CBD area with plenty of opportunity to flash your cash for some well earned retail therapy.

There is the large Mitchell Centre Shopping Centre and also plenty of other specialty shops to tempt your plastic fantastic.

And after lugging around all your new found possessions there are many cafes where you can take a load of your feet and refresh yourself.

Take a walk, take your time and take your wallet!

Every major city in Australia has one street devoted to the art of shopping.

In Darwin, it's Smith Street.

Here, you will find your departmental stores, boutiques, cafes, restuarants, post offices, airline offices, shoe shops, pharmacies, music shops, bookstores, discount shops and shops selling aboriginal artefacts/art.

Essentially, the main shopping artery of Darwin.

What to buy: Practically everything..as long as you have money.

Located both in the Smith Street mall and the Mitchell Centre in Darwin City Pzazz is the place to go if you are looking for something to wear on a really nice evening out. They have some of the most stunning dresses, and I had lots of fun searching for mine. That perfect dress to wear on what was supposed to be a perfect evening for my birthday. It is like being a little girl and playing dress ups all over again! If you want to feel like a princess and add a little pzazz to your wardrobe I highly recommend it.

What to buy: Dresses and evening wear.

What to pay: Depends, but not necessarily cheap. But as you say, you get the quality and the class you pay for.

Moon Chi, which has a shop at the Rapid Creek Markets, and also stalls at Mindil Sunset Markets when it is on, is a great little shop. It houses star lantern lights, hand painted and made which are pretty cool to string up and light up your world. Along with other gifts and jewellery. It is pretty neat. And I found it great for just something different to give as gifts for people.

Rapid Creek Markets are held Friday nights and Sunday mornings and there are quite a few other little trinket stores and also food to choose from. Rapid Creek is Darwins oldest Markets and operates all year round.

What to buy: Star Lanterns from Moon Chi.

What to pay: Depends on how many you buy, the more you buy the cheaper the lanterns get. 3 for $55 bucks. But they sell other stuff too.

The Smith Street mall consists of several shops which sell everything from clothing to cameras and tourist wears plus more. It has cafe's, fountains and most famously the artist who paints pictures using spray cans. An eclectic mix of inner city shopping.

What to buy: Of all the shops in the mall, my favourites would have to be the outlet store for mark downs for Pzazz dresses. And if you are looking for a different gift, I would definately recommend the spray paint paintings. Very cool.

What to pay: Depends on what you are after....