You don't always need to head into Melbourne's CBD to discover a great selection of interesting shopping precincts. Many of Melbourne's established inner suburbs have large shopping strips along historic thoroughfares with some shopfronts preserving the architecture of yesteryear.
Bridge Road is a cosmopolitan shopping and dining strip which includes heritage pubs, restaurants, boutique stores, and factory outlets for some of Australia's best loved brands.
Location: Richmond
www.bridgerd.com.auChapel Street is famous for its fashion. Spanning two kilometres through South Yarra, Prahran and Windsor, this vibrant and cosmopolitan shopping and entertainment precinct boasts over 1,000 shops as well as bars, pubs and clubs. It is a shopaholic's heaven.
Location: South Yarra
www.chapelstreet.com.auHigh Street in Armadale is a favourite shopping precinct for Melburnians. With a long established history, it has some of Australia's best art and antique galleries and leading Australian and international fashion labels.
www.highstreetarmadale.com.auSydney Road is a major thoroughfare and tram route that is lined by over 2 kilometres of shops. More than 600 businesses front Sydney Road, including restaurants, cafes, pubs, fresh food, fashion stores, home furnishings and speciality retailers. There are strong multicultural influences from the Mediterranean, Middle East and south-east Asia, allowing visitors to sample food from all over the world.
Location: Brunswick
www.sydneyroad.com.auA sophisticated shopping strip of more than 300 speciality retailers. The boutiques offer both Australian and international designers and feature many one-offs and original designs in fashion, shoes and accessories. There is also a selection of restaurants and bars.
Location: South Yarra
www.toorakroadsouthyarra.com.au