Integral to the tourism in Australia, is the shopping in Australia. If shopping is in your blood, you will find that shopping in Australia is tempting; given the many shopping complexes, speciality stores, markets, aboriginal art and the veritable shopping feast that Sydney is.

One of Australia’s largest retail complexes is Melbourne Central with 200 shops selling boutique fashions, jewellery, beauty products, giftware and homewares. The Queen Victoria Building in Sydney is an architectural wonder in its own right, with the best mainstream labels, designer clothes, jewellery and antiques. The Queen Street Mall in Melbourne has department stores, clothing and shoe stores. One can also expect to find great bargains in the local markets located in each city.

When one goes shopping in Australia, one inevitably comes across the famous Australian designer names such as Collette Dinnigan, Peter Morrissey, Robert Burton, Lisa Ho and Carla Zampattiand.

Bark / dot paintings, boomerangs and didgeridoos, weaves, are some good Aboriginal souvenirs. The didgeridoo is a musical wind instrument. These are not the only examples of aboriginal art. There are many more. There is also Bush tucker, the collective name for the fruits, nuts, seeds, etc., once the staple diet of Australia's Aboriginal people.. While shopping in Australia, do also stop for Australian wool, the world's best wool. Also given Australia's pristine natural climes, shop in plenty for the finest cosmetics. For the wine connoisseur, Australian wines are rare heavenly treasures.

While shopping in Australia, local markets are a great places to visit. There are many local markets that are off the beaten tracks. Here is a mention of only two which give you some ideas of shopping in Australia. Rainforest market at Kuranda: Close to the rainforests, this Queensland village of Kuranda has a flourishing market for arts / crafts, fashions, and a range of exotic rainforest products. Salamanca Market on the waterfront at Hobart: There are very good displays of craftwork by the finest craftsmen.

A distinctive feature of shopping in Australia is that the visitor has an ample choice of modern and traditional shopping experiences. And at the end of a tiring day's shopping, there is the nightlife to relax with. In every place, especially Sydney.