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Trade Secret - Gold Coast
Trade Secret
by grantravel
Go shopping in Gold Coast with recommendations, reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and locals.
Local Time 2:56 pm Thursday, October 16, 2008
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• Gold Coast Hotels
Popular Shopping (1) | Other Shopping Tips (20) | All Tips (33)
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Shop with the Locals
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  • Pacific Fair Shopping Centre - Gold Coast
    Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
    by goldcoaster
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    It is easy to just stay in the one general area of the Gold Coast. There is a lot to do in Surfers Paradise. But when it comes time to shop, follow the locals. Even the very few who live in Surfers don't shop there.

    There are three main shopping centres on the Coast. Pacific Fair is at Broadbeach but caters for both tourists and locals. Robina Town Centre is at Robina, about a 10 minute drive from Pacific fair and is a mostly locals centre. Harbour Town is the big outlet shopping mall about 15-20 minutes north of Surfers.

    But hunt down other places as well. In Southport there is another lesser known outlet area called the Brickworks. It is worth visiting especially if you are in the market for clothes as there is a great shop called Trade Secret selling out end of line name brand stuff. Further out at Ashmore there is another great outlet mall called Central Park Plaza and this is where Billabong, Timberland, Quiksilver etc have their outlet shops. There are sunglass clearance places as well as shoes.

    Ask a local cabbie and they will be able to tell you where these places are or just get them to take you. You can get buses but as the system is a bit confusing, taxis are better.

    As the Gold Coast is the home of Billabong surfwear, there are a couple of places but the cheapest is the outlet at Central Park Plaza. They have board shorts for $10, Bikinis from $15. There is also the major outlet at West Burleigh but it is full price.

    Also there are some other local surf brands, Byrning Spears and Mt Woodgee, which are cheap and groovy.

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    Pacific Fair / Harbour Town.: The Gold Coast's premier shopping centre
  • Tip Rating:
  • Pacific Fair is Australia's largest shopping mall with 3 major department stores, a supermarket and some 300 specialty stores which include anything that is fashionable or franchised.

    There are also some banks, medical services, a post office, cafes, bars and restaurants. For kids there is a themed play park and parking is easy with over 5000 free carparks.

    In short it's an open air and undercover retail lover's therapy paradise.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach
  • Phone: +6107 5581 5100
  • Directions: Opposite Jupiter's Casino at Broadbeach it's only 5 min drive from Surfers Paradise. Surfside Buslines run regular services from the bus interchange located at the end of California Avenue. Taxis and tourist coaches also service Pacific Fair.
  • Website: http://www.pacificfair.com.au/
  • Other Contact: Email: pacificfair@ampcapital.co
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    Carrara Markets: Relaxed market atmosphere
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  • The Carrar Markets have become a bargain hunters paradise with a huge variety of products from 500 stalls.

    Plants, fruit & vegies, clothing, shoes, arts & crafts, watches, jewellery, tools, leathergoods, butchers, bakery & fish chips are all available at bargain prices.

    Carrara Markets are the largest permanent markets to be found in Queensland and they are open every Saturday & Sunday from 7am to 4pm.

    A market bus service can pick you up from selected points (including Pacific Fair for a AU$1 fare) or you can drive yourself and enjoy free parking and admission.

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  • Address: Nerang-Broadbeach Road
  • Directions: Close to Broadbeach and Pacific Fair.
  • Website: http://www.carraramarkets.com.au/index.htm
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    Surfer's Paradise: Cavill Mall
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  • Surfers Paradise is a 7 day late night shopping district on the Gold Coast with
    13 shopping centres and arcades so be sure to fill your wallet and shop 'til you drop.

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  • Address: Cavill Mall
  • Directions: CBD
  • Website: http://www.surfersparadise.com/shopping_dining_nightlife/shoppers_paradise/
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    Harbourtown - Cheap Authentic Stuff
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  • Nike, Esprit, Mambo, Fila, Calvin Klein, Levis, etc..

    Get cheap beach wear here!! Actually get cheap branded stuff here!!

    What NOT to buy : Souveniers. It's very expensive to buy souveniers here. Get them at Pacific Fair or Goldcoast shopping centres.

    hhmm... it depends.... I spent abt A$200 here... Got a great deal at Nike boutique... Bought a pair of running shoes at A$50 only (costs more than S$100 in Singapore)....

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  • Theme: Discount Store
  • Address: Cnr Gold Coast Highway & Oxley Drive , Biggera Wat
  • Phone: (07) 5529 1734
  • Directions: Travelling north from Surfers Paradise follow Highway No. 2 Gold Coast Highway (Brisbane Road to locals) to Biggera Waters. Travelling south from Brisbane on the Pacific Motorway take Exit 62 then travel for approximately 7kms (7 sets of traffic lights).
  • Website: http://www.harbourtown.com.au
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    Pacific Fair / Harbour Town.: Where to get designer gear!
  • Tip Rating:
  • I love shopping here!

    Its located in Helensvale just before you hit the Gold Coast from Brisbane. Its a massive shopping complex with discount designer or brand name gear.
    You can get your surf clothing here (billabong, ripcurl etc); homewares; books; electronics; shoes; kids wear; mens suit; right up to brands like Gucci and Prada. Definately something for everyone!

    Definately get your Gucci togs from here! And this is also where you get purchase great Australian designer clothing like Lisa Ho!!!
    Guys and Girls will love the cheap surf gear.

    There is a MASSIVE price range here!!! You can seriously get tops/ shirts/ skirts from like $5 (sometimes less) or buy into the thousands for designer dresses, but still much less than standard retail price.

  • Theme: Discount Store
  • Directions: CAR Travelling north from Surfers Paradise follow Highway No. 2 Gold Coast Highway (Brisbane Road to locals) to Biggera Waters. Travelling south from Brisbane on the Pacific Motorway take Exit 62 then travel for 7 sets of traffic lights
  • Website: http://www.harbourtown.com.au/goldcoast/retail_directory.htm
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    Central Park Plaza
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  • Central Park Plaza has the second's and outlet stores for top surf name brands like Billabong, Quicksilver, Element, Roxy, Kuta Lines, Voodoo Dolls and other not so well known brands in mens and womans swimwear and clothing. There is also a discount sunglasses shop, with old lines of top brand sunglasses at discounted prices.

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  • Theme: Discount Store
  • Directions: Central Park Plaza, on Nerang-Southport Road is located just out of Ashmore on the way to Nerang.
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    Pacific Fair / Harbour Town.: Brand Name Bargain Outlets - Harbour Town
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  • Harbour Town Shopping Centre, located on the northern end of the Gold Coast is just one big bargain bin for shopping addicts like myself. Comprising of mostly brand name outlets, this place is a shoppers paradise. It is a policy of Harbour Town that all stores *must* have a certain percentage of their stock on sale otherwise they can kiss goodbye their lease!

    Best time to go is first thing in the morning (especially if visiting on the weekend) to grab yourself the best bargains, a good car park and beat the mad rush of tourists.

    If you in to save a penny or to splurge away your holiday spending money, then coming here is a must. Harbour Town has shopping for everyone ranging from Nike and Adidas outlets to Pumpkin Patch, Esprit, Tommy Hilfinger, Diesel, Sheriden, Oroton and Ralph Lauren (my favourite).

    There are shops that sell clothing, shoes, jewellery, handbags, sunglasses *takes a breath* kitchen wear, framing, pet supplies, art supplies, manchester etc etc etc!

    If you cannot find yourself a bargain here, then you haven't got your eyes open!

    Obviously prices vary between store to store but for example, you can expect to pay approximately $50AUD for a Ralph Lauren polo shirt. Explains why my cupboard is stocked with them :)

    If you are tourist to the Gold Coast make sure you pop into Habour Town's VIP Tourism Lounge to obtain your free Tourism Club Card which entitles you to further discounts to particular stores and restaurants. A lot of tourists are unaware of this service but make sure you do it because it can entitle to you up to another 50% off store prices!

  • Theme: Discount Store
  • Address: Cnr Brisbane Road & Oxley Drive, Biggera Waters
  • Phone: (07) 55 291 734
  • Directions: Trading hours are as follows: Mon - Wed: 9am - 5pm Thurs: 9am - 7pm Fri - Sat: 9am - 5:30pm Sun: 10am - 5pm
  • Website: www.harbourtown.com.au
  • Other Contact: Fax (07) 55292 459
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    Surfers Paradise: Shoppers Paradise!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Billabong Store in Surfers Paradise - Gold Coast
    Billabong Store in
    Surfers Paradise
    by MissBianca,
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    Surfers Paradise has approximately 14 shopping centres and arcades within its vicinity. The best way to see all of these is by donning on a pair of comfy shoes and exploring the Surfers streets yourself.

    The shopping in Surfers Paradise offers both retail and duty free with an extensive range of designer boutiques including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Coach, Dior, Bettina Liano and the like.

    Most of the stores unlike the rest of the Gold Coast are open for late night shopping 7 days a week. So if you aren't used to the usual 5pm shutting time Australia has, then head to Surfers Paradise to continue on!

    As mentioned above, expect to discover designer boutiques, duty free stores, clothing including desiger surf and street wear and the like.

    Surfers Paradise stores a full retail or duty free so expect to pay full price unless you can supply the duty free stores with a passport and boarding pass.

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Surfers Paradise
  • Phone: (07) 55 843 700
  • Directions: Its just a case of walking around and discovering those hidden little wonders!
  • Website: www.surfersparadise.com
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    Carrara Markets: The Good Ol' Fashioned Flea Markets!
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  • Carrara Markets has been on the Gold Coast as long as I can remember. The markets have a great relaxed atmosphere and its so easy to gobble up time just strolling around looking at everything.

    The Markets have fixed buildings and temporary stalls which change from week to week. So you if you find a stall you particularly like, its guaranteed the same stall will be there next week.

    Open on Saturday and Sunday from 6:00am until approximately 4:00pm, this place is always pumping! Never once have I been there when it has been quiet.

    I often go to these markets to buy shoes as they usually have the same shoes as the retail stores but at the fraction of the price. They also have a fantastic range of fruit and vege amongst other things.

    Also they have some great food stalls that serve breaky from about 6:30am. Also serving a greasy aussie breaky, great for the ill fated hangover!

    The best way to describe the goods on sale at Carrara Markets? They sell EVERYTHING! With approximately 500 stalls, you will be entertained or lost for hours, which ever one comes first.

    One should note that haggling is rarely used in Australia, fixed pricing has always been the way. The only real time you may question a price is when you purchase one or more of the item. Feel feel to try and bargain with the merchants, however you may not always get your desired outcome.

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  • Address: Cnr Gooding Dr & Manchester Rd, Carrara
  • Phone: Int: +61-7-5579 9388
  • Directions: 4km West of Pacific Fair or exit 77 off the M1. Have a look on the website for $1 pick up and return shuttle bus to your hotel.
  • Website: www.carraramarkets.com.au
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