Books

You'll find a good selection of books on Sydney and Australia for sale at the Art Gallery of New South Wales; the Garden Shop, in the Royal Botanic Gardens; the Museum of Contemporary Art; the Museum of Sydney; the Australian Museum; and the State Library of New South Wales.

Department Stores

The two big names in Sydney shopping are David Jones and Myer. 

David Jones (tel. 02/9266 5544) is the city's largest department store, selling everything from fashion to designer furniture. You'll find the women's section on the corner of Elizabeth and Market streets, and the men's section on the corner of Castlereagh and Market streets. The food section offers expensive delicacies.

Myer (tel. 02/9238 9111), formally Grace Brothers, is similar to David Jones, but the building is newer and flashier. It's on the corner of George and Market streets.

Fashion

One of the best places to shop for fashion is the QVB. Fashion-statement stores featuring the best of Australian design at the QVB include Oroton, Country Road, and the fabulous woman's clothing designer Lisa Ho. In the Strand Arcade, off Pitt Street Mall, find Third Millennium, Allanah Hill, and Wayne Cooper.

Farther down toward Circular Quay is Chifley Plaza, home to a selection of the world's most famous and stylish international brands. For really trendy clothing, walk up Oxford Street to Paddington, and for alternative clothes, go to Newtown.

If you are looking for trendy surf- and swim-wear, the main drags at Bondi Beach and Manly Beach offer plenty of choices. Surry Hills is also becoming a fashion and design mecca, and the outlets are well worth looking around.

Women's Fashion -- Head to Oxford Street (particularly Paddington) for more avant-garde designers.

Food

The goodies you'll find downstairs in the food section of David Jones department store on Castlereagh Street (the men's section) are enough to tempt anyone. The store sells the best local and imported products to the rich and famous (and the rest of us).

Gifts & Souvenirs

The shops at Taronga Zoo, the Oceanarium in Manly, the Sydney Aquarium, and the Australian Museum are all good sources for gifts and souvenirs. Many shops around The Rocks are worth browsing, too.

Opals

There are plenty of opal shops around in Sydney, but don't expect to walk away with any bargains. Better just to choose one you like than to haggle.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.