Shop Smarter in Melbourne

Melbourne has long been known as a top destination for shopping - from high brands, independent boutiques, and enormous shopping centres where you completely lose track of time.

But if you are working to a budget, or if you just enjoy the thrill of finding a bargain, then there is a growing number of great value direct factory outlets where you can top brands at discount prices.

Sometimes outlet centres can be a bit tricky to find, especially if you are just visiting Melbourne and may not be familiar with some of the surrounding suburbs. A popular way to find some hidden bargains is to join a discount shopping tour - jump on a bus with a group of key shoppers and you can be whisked from factory outlet to factoryoutlet, maximising your bargain shopping opportunities.

If you only have limited time, one option is to shop somewhere like the Spencer Outlet Centre in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct. Melbourne’s Docklands is an area that has been completely regenerated - cafe’s, restaurants, and shopping. Popular brands such as Industrie, Cotton On Kids, and Sportscraft are just a few of the brands that you can find here. Getting to Spencer Outlet Centre is relatively straightforward -there is undercover parking available, there is direct tram access, and it’s just a short walk from Southern Cross Station.

Another popular area for bargain shopping is Richmond. Another inner-city suburb with easy access by public transport, Richmond takes a bit more effort to find the factory outlets that you are looking for as they are often located in streets a bit off the main thoroughfares. But it is worth persevering as you can track down brands such Jay Jays, Glassons, and Strandbags.

If you want to head a bit further out of town there is a massive shopping centre at Doncaster. You will need a car to get here (there is heaps of onsite parking), but this is the kind of place where you could really spend the day. There are cafes to keep you fuelled up with coffee, places where the kids can play, and every sort of shop you can imagine. Brands that you can find here include Trade Secret, Jacqui, and E 2XU. Although Doncaster has a lot to offer, you may not find as many bargains here as a lot of the outlets will be charging full retail price unless there is a sale or a special offer.

There is a world of shopping waiting for you in Melbourne!