10 must visit shopping precincts and markets in Canberra
Updated 2 Dec 2024
Canberra’s shopping scene is bursting with the best in boutique, local creations as well as homewares, big department stores, malls and fashion labels. Follow this guide to the best shopping experiences in Canberra.
Find something unique at a boutique
If you’re after something a little more hand-picked and unique, Canberra’s shopping scene is bursting with the best in boutique.
Stock up on current season trends, or invest in wardrobe essentials such as quality basics, denim and leather. Things of Desire, located in both Manuka and Lonsdale Street, offers a unique variety of European labels that are not only exclusive to Canberra but some even exclusive to Australia. Also located in Manuka is Momento Dezigns.
Not after clothing? There are plenty of other boutiques on offer such as home and gift boutique, Hive, which is a favourite of design lovers or Timber & Tailor for ceramics, jewellery and more.
Wander a weekend market
The monthly Hall Markets (first Sunday of each month) have returned to the Hall Showgrounds, providing a mix of produce, arts and craft, homewares and more. Shop the curated stalls at the Handmade Market which boasts products from a range of categories such as conscious living, gourmet pantry and textiles, all from the comfort of your accommodation.
For fresh produce markets in the inner city, the Haig Park Village Markets in Braddon on a Sunday is a must before a wander along the Lonsdale Street café and restaurant strip.
The iconic Old Bus Depot Markets, held each Sunday, showcase the best local produce, artisan baked goods, and beautiful handmade items. Grab breakfast or lunch at the market before heading next door to the Canberra Glassworks.
Shop up a storm at one of our malls
Each of Canberra’s larger suburban town centres is home to a shopping mall. The city’s largest shopping centre, Canberra Centre is a one-stop shopping destination. Find Zara, H&M, Peter Alexander, COS, David Jones, Nike, Muji, Myer and more. If you need a mid-shopping pick-me-up, try East Row Speciality Coffee a few minutes’ walk away. If the kids are dragging their feet, treat them to a ride on the historic carousel in Petrie Plaza.
It doesn’t matter where you are staying in Canberra, there is a mall in sight with Westfield Woden, Westfield Belconnen and Southpoint in Tuggeranong.
Take art from a Canberra gallery home with you
Art lovers rejoice - Canberra has a thriving local art scene of creative minds. Offering a unique momento of the nation’s capital is Scott Leggo Gallery, owned by Scott himself, a local photographer renowned for his landscape work. Pick up a jigsaw puzzle (or two) of one of Scott’s landscape shots of Canberra icons like the Australian War Memorial.
Tucked away on Wade Street in Watson you will discover the teeny tiny Gallery of Small Things which has a little shop to match.
Taste the best of Canberra’s local produce
Take home some superb local produce from the passionate producers themselves. Chocolate-lovers are sure to be impressed by Jasper + Myrtle located in the Dairy Road Precinct.
Poachers Pantry is nestled in the hills just 30 minutes from the city on the road to Murrumbateman. Stock up on their regional preserves, smoked meats, oils and sauces. The smoked chicken breast with tarragon & lemon, is a must-try and a little taste of Canberra goodness.
Our local produce pairs perfectly with our handcrafted brews. The flavours and aromas of Canberra craft beers and ciders have helped to establish a thriving and award-winning micro-industry of brewers with a passion for a locally derived pint. Lovers of craft beer are flocking to Canberra’s BentSpoke Brewing Co. in Braddon. Don’t forget to check out Capital Brewing Co. in Fyshwick which is run by a group of mates who enjoy craft beer, surfing and good vibes. You’ll find an outstanding range of Canberra wine, beer and spirits at award-winning Plonk, located in Fyshwick Markets.
Hunt for vintage and collectables
Search for collectables, vintage and preloved items on a self-guided Fyshwick vintage trail. The arrival of Dirty Janes Canberra has put this once industrial suburb firmly on the must-do Canberra shopping map. Get lost exploring this huge warehouse of individual stallholders, grab a bite to eat at the café and watch a blacksmith in action.
To find your next great read from 1.2km worth of bookshelves, drop by Canty’s Bookshop. Afterwards, head to the Designer Op Shop Emporium and other antique and second-hand stores located in Fyshwick.
If you don’t get to Fyshwick, Landspeed Records in the city has a fabulous mix of vintage and new clothing and accessories and a range of records at the back of the store.
Shop local and support local creatives
In the heart of the city is Craft + Design Canberra featuring exhibitions by both local and international makers. From pottery vessels to embroidery, jewellery and more, the gift shop is filled with beautiful, handcrafted pieces to take home.
Dotted along popular Lonsdale Street in Braddon, you'll find POP Canberra .
With a hidden shopfront in Dickson is Trove Canberra – a cooperative of artists, designers and makers local to the Canberra region.
Stock up on goodness at a fresh food market
Canberra’s flourishing fresh food markets offer fresh local produce, as well as culinary delicacies and Canberra's cool-climate district wines. From bakeries and cafes to delicatessens, Fyshwick Markets, Canberra’s oldest market, is the place to be on Thursday to Sunday.
You can’t go past Canberra’s biggest produce market, the Capital Region Farmers Market, which boasts a hive of activity at EPIC each Saturday morning — grab brunch and chat to the producers. The Southside Farmers Market at Canberra College in Phillip offers a Sunday morning market option.
Shop for homewares
Whether it’s a craving for Swedish meatball accompanied by a side of flatpack furniture or a supersized pack of something, the suburb of Majura is the place to go. The home of IKEA, Costco, Bunnings and one of the largest Woolworths stores in Australia, this is your go-to location for stocking up on virtually anything, especially homewares.
A 10-minute drive away, the Canberra Outlet Centre is brimming with stores that have crafted an inspiring collection of homewares and furniture. There’s even more excuse to go shopping for yourself with discounts of up to 70 per cent off favourite brands including Nike, Bonds, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein.
Find the perfect item at your favourite attractions’ shop
Buy something with a story to tell. You can take a piece of your favourite gallery or museum home with you from one of the many national treasures and cultural attractions. The National Portrait Gallery, National Arboretum Canberra, National Gallery of Australia and National Museum of Australia are among many attractions whose shops are worthy of a visit in their own right.
Located in the former Kingston Powerhouse — a historical site in itself — the Canberra Glassworks is the only one of its kind in Australia. This professional artspace is dedicated entirely to contemporary glass art, with glass gifts galore at the retail shop.
At the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, you can chat with a friendly local and browse the range of Canberra region wine and produce.