Most major shops are downtown on the parallel Hay Street and Murray Street malls, and in the network of arcades running off them, such as the Plaza, City, Carillon, and Tudor-style London Court arcades. Off Murray Street Mall on Forrest Place is the Forrest Chase shopping complex, housing the Myer department store and boutiques on two levels. The other major department store, David Jones, opens on to both malls. Add to your collection of international designer brands on posh King Street, in the west end. Harbourtown, at the western edge of the city, is a large complex housing "factory outlets" of numerous retail chains.

If you want to avoid the chains, spend half a day in Subiaco or "Subi," where Hay Street and Rokeby Road are lined with smart boutiques, galleries, and cafes. The Colonnade shopping center at 388 Hay St. showcases some groovy Aussie fashion designers.

Fremantle's shopping is mostly limited to a good selection of crafts, markets, and Aboriginal souvenirs, with several galleries in High Street.

Most shops are open until 9pm weeknights in the city, Subi, and Fremantle.

Local Arts & Crafts

Two shops showcase contemporary ceramic, textile, glass, and jewelry products: Form, at 357 Murray St. just round the corner from King Street (tel. 08/9226 2161); and Aspects of Kings Park, behind the Visitor Centre in Kings Park (tel. 08/9480 3900).

Aboriginal Arts & Crafts

Creative Native, Shop 58, Forrest Chase, opposite the Visitor Centre (tel. 08/9221 5800; www.creativenative.com.au), stocks Perth's widest range of Aboriginal arts and crafts, and includes a gallery that sells original works by some renowned Aboriginal artists. Another branch is at 73 High St., Fremantle (tel. 08/9335 6995). Also in Fremantle, Japingka Gallery, 47 High St. (tel. 08/9335 8265; www.japingka.com.au), is dedicated to encouraging and exhibiting Aboriginal Australian art, a large stock of it certificated.

Indigenart (incorporating the Mossenson Gallery), 115 Hay St., Subiaco (tel. 08/9388 2899, www.indigenart.com.au), stocks works on canvas, paper, and bark, as well as artifacts, textiles, pottery, didgeridoos, boomerangs, and sculpture, by Aboriginal artists from all over Australia.

Jewelry

Western Australia is renowned for farming the world's best South Sea pearls off Broome, for Argyle diamonds mined in the Kimberley, and for being one of the world's biggest gold producers.

Kailis Jewellery, 29 King St. (tel. 08/9422 3888; www.kailisjewellery.com.au), sells elegant South Sea pearls and gold jewelry. Another branch is located at the corner of Marine Terrace and Collie Street, Fremantle (tel. 08/9239 9330).

Some of Perth's other leading jewelers, where you can buy Argyle diamonds, Broome pearls, and opals set within locally designed WA gold jewelry, are Linneys, 37 Rokeby Rd., Subiaco (tel. 08/9382 4077; www.linneys.com.au), and Costello's, Shop 5-6, London Court (tel. 08/9325 8588). Linneys also has locations at 39 King St. and Burswood Resort.

For opals to suit all budgets, head to the Perth outlet of Quilpie Opals, Shop 6, Piccadilly Arcade off Hay Street Mall (tel. 08/9321 8687).

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.