City Centre, Sydney, Australia

Offering everything from designer fashions and the obligatory Aussie surf gear, to trendy home wares and unusual souvenirs, tourists and locals are spoilt for choice by the huge number of shops, arcades and department stores lining the streets from Circular Quay up to Town Hall. Pitt Street Mall (halfway up Pitt Street) is pedestrianized, and boasts many shopping centers including the Strand Arcade, Mid-City Center and Sky Garden. The Queen Victoria Building on George Street is notable for both its history and its designer boutiques, whilst David Jones on Elizabeth Street is perhaps one of the most reputable department store names in Australia. Amongst the designer chic and well-known chain stores are several outlets stocking cheap souvenirs and “bargain” goods. There are also endless eateries and restaurants offering everything from fast food to modern Australian cuisine, and pubs, cinemas and theaters for night-time entertainment once the shops have closed. Loosely defined as the city center, the streets stretching from Circular Quay up to Town Hall, offer a plethora of shopping experiences. Encompassing the arcades of Pitt Street and the stately Queen Victoria Building, this is retail therapy at its best.