Shopping

Whether you're a shop-to-live or live-to-shop sort of person, we're sure you'll enjoy a visit to the city of Perth. The city is easy to get into, with regular airconditioned trains servicing the outer suburbs and a comprehensive bus network. Once you're in town, you can actually travel free on any bus or train as long as you stay within the city boundaries...just ask the bus driver if you're not sure where you are. Train travellers do not pay for trips between Claisebrook, McIver, Perth and City West. There are also special free bus services, the CAT (Central Area Transport) buses, which run regularly. More information about CATs.

Murray and Hay Streets both have traffic-free malls, and the city centre is criss-crossed with arcades, many of them underground, where locals and tourists mingle as they shop. The malls and arcades are linked by walkways and overpasses that extend as far as the city train and bus stations. This keeps the pedestrians away from the traffic and vice versa, keeping everyone happy. View map of Perth's central city arcades and malls.

AUSTRALIAN CURRENCY

Australian currency is decimal, with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equal one dollar). Notes come in denominations of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5, while coins are $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations. Currency exchange facilities are available at the Perth International Airport and at city banks. The most commonly accepted credit cards in WA are Visa and Mastercard. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. Credit cards and EFTPOS can be used for a wide range of goods and services throughout Western Australia. Most banks are open from 9.30am to 4.00pm, and to 5.00pm on Fridays; some smaller banks and credit unions may be open on Saturday mornings. Perth and Fremantle contain numerous ATMs, most of which accept most cards.

What to buy whilst you're in Perth? Overseas visitors should not miss the opportunity to get their duty free goods. In WA you don't have to wait until you get to the airport to buy your duty frees. There are many shops in Perth and Fremantle, and even one in Mandurah (an hour south of Perth), all offering a full range of merchandise.

Sheep farming is big business in WA, so it's not surprising to find sheepskin and other woollen products at low prices. Although sheepskins are not heavy, they are most definitely bulky and difficult to store if you're travelling. However, most sheepskin outlets have special vacuum machines which reduce most items to a manageable size for transportation. If you don't want to carry it, they can arrange postage, too.

Jewellery is another popular purchase. Australian Argyle diamonds are readily available in the better jewellery stores, and bear such evocative names as champagne and cognac. But rarest and most precious are the pink diamonds and these, too, are available in Perth.

Good wines to take home can be purchased at many of the duty free shops, or there are many discount liquor stores around town, all offering excellent value for money. You will have no trouble finding wines from the major wine-growing districts of Australia, but if you'd like to try a truly local drop, look out for wines from the Swan Valley, Margaret River, Mount Barker and Denmark. Australian sparkling wine, no longer called champagne but most made using the traditional methode champenoise, also makes a great gift.

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

Perth is a shopping haven for the fashion conscious.

Harbour Town is Perth's only dedicated outlet shopping centre, where you will find over 100 brand outlet stores selling at brand direct prices. Enjoy a real shopping adventure with a huge variety of quality brands including Nike, Esprit, Sheridan, Billabong, Adidas, Royal Doulton, Cue (Veronika Maine), Simone Perele, Industrie and more. Visit the Harbour Town Tourism Lounge and receive a free Tourism Club Card for even more savings. Centrally located in West Perth, it's only a ten minute stroll from Perth city or take the Yellow CAT bus right to the door. Open 7 days a week. Old Markets Site, 840 Wellington St, West Perth Phone 9321 2282.

The Swim Shop is the factory outlet for Loo Taylor Australia swimwear and beachwear and one of the major outlets for the internationally renowned Sunseeker and Jantzen brands. We are able to offer you the best of Australian and International swimwear and beachwear at very affordable prices. The Swim Shop has recently moved to the cappuccino strip at 20 Angove St. North Perth WA 6006. You can browse quietly in air-conditioned comfort without the usual shopping mall bustle. Why not call in and pick up some of the best swimwear in the country. No fuss, no pressure and very small prices. Husbands waiting chair, plenty of chat and a street full of excellent cafes. Open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 2pm Saturday. Email: david@theswimshop.com.au

Keysole at 103 High St, Fremantle is an authorized retailer of UGG® AUSTRALIA, the world leader in luxury, comfortable and fashionable sheepskin products. They use the world’s finest Grade-A sheepskin, and offer the latest fashions and limited editions at competitive prices. Take home a pair of their UGG® funky boots as a souvenir of your visit. Phone +61 8 9433 3714

Cool in summer and warm in winter, you can't go past 100% sheepskin products for natural insulation. Eagle Wools are premium Australian sheepksin specialists, manufacturing slippers and ugg boots, car seat covers, coats and other sheepskin products onsite at their huge showroom. 3 Beach Street, Fremantle. Phone +61 8 9336 2155.

Two Feet & a Heartbeat provide a unique and insightful walking experience, immersing you in the culture and atmosphere of one of Australia's most appealing cities. Explore Perth's natural beauty and hidden treasures. Delve into its colourful history from its indigenous and colonial beginnings, to the modern boomtown, speckled with tales of crime and corruption. Find some bargains on a City Shopping Tour or discover the history of our port city on a Fremantle Walking Tour, phone 1800 459 388.

OPALS

About 95% of the world's opals come from Australia. There are four basic qualities to look for in opals including colour - the rarest and most valuable is red. Brilliance, pattern and clarity also determine the quality of opals. You can always get expert advice from the professionals.

Established in 1985, Fremantle Opals is an opal retailer with a wealth of knowledge and experience. They invite you to view an exclusive range of beautiful opal jewellery and unset opals. Specialists in black opal, they buy direct from the mines. Also visit their other shop, the Hat Shack at E Shed Markets, for the humble sun hat, the classic Australian Akubra and Australian-made leather hats and stock whips. Fremantle Opals is conveniently situated just a short walk from the Fremantle railway station, open seven days a week. 18 Market Street, Fremantle (just opposite the Post Office). Phone +61 8 9430 4334.

Quilpie Opals Shirley Hughes, along with her son Russell and their professional staff, invites you to visit their showrooms. With over 40 years' experience and an internationally renowned reputation for excellence, they carry a magnificent range of opals and opal jewellery, from budget-priced gifts to one-off pieces. Shop 6, Piccadilly Arcade (between Hay and Murray St Malls) Perth. Phone +61 8 9321 8687

LONDON COURT

Located between St Georges Terrace and the Hay Street Mall, London Court is an opportunity for the visitor to explore the historic and delightful ambience of Elizabethan England. The exquisitely carved woodwork of the windows and facades, the replicas of the clocks of the Palace of Westminster and La Grosse Horloge at Rouen, and the statues of Sir Walter Raleigh and Dick Whittington are just a few of the many fine features of Perth's only open air shopping arcade. Sample the exclusive goods available from the 37 speciality stores, or simply absorb the spirit of a time long past.

Mr Shaver is a master in his field with 30 years's experience of shaver technology. He sells a full range of leading shaver brands for men and women, plus grooming products and electrical appliances. In Italy his shops catered for over six million, and his expertise can now be found here in Perth, including the immediate repair and service of shavers of any category, brand and era while you wait. Also in stock is a full range of spare parts, travel accessories and plug adaptors. Italian and French spoken. Located at Shop 4 London Court, St Georges Tce end, or Shop 27 Piccadilly Arcade, Murray St Mall end.

Costello's Jewellers can help you discover the wonder of the unique gems of Australia. A jewellery retailer with experience spanning three generations, Costello's can help you choose from a stunning collection of Argyle Diamonds, including the rare Pink and popular Champagne diamonds, together with South Sea pearls and opals. Costello's is open 7 days a week. Shop 5-6 London Court. Phone +61 8 9325 8588.

MARKETS

For those seeking a different shopping experience, markets offer an alternative to city shopping. The suburbs in and around Perth and Fremantle have many interesting markets offering a broad range of goods. Some specialise in handicrafts, while others sell fresh produce or second hand clothing. There are Sunday markets, evening markets, weekend markets, all so different but with one thing in common: they offer the visitor excellent value.

Like anyone in the retailing trade these days, market managers know that consumers want to enjoy themselves as well as buy, so you'll find there's often free entertainment for children or a musical act during the day. Most markets have food outlets, and many feature a food hall offering a range of cheap, tasty dishes from around the world, as well as somewhere to rest tired feet and enjoy a welcome cup of coffee. Some markets are found in outer suburbs, but the excellent train and bus services from Perth and Fremantle will enable you to visit them with the minimum of time and fuss.

The E Shed Markets are located dockside in Fremantle and have more than 80 stalls. Until recently the E Shed was an empty warehouse situated nearby; it was disassembled, moved and rebuilt at the present site. The E Shed Markets offer unique gifts and souvenirs, local arts and crafts, an international food court and free entertainment in the fine setting of the historic warehouse. Open Friday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm, plus all public holidays. Victoria Quay, Fremantle Phone 9430 6393. At Gems Australia you can choose from opal brooches, rings, pendants and loose stones; there’s a piece to suit every taste and budget. Also on show is a stunning collection of South Sea pearls. Why not treat yourself to a lasting reminder of your trip down under? Phone +61 8 9335 3500 or visit them at E Shed Markets.

The Fremantle Markets on the South Terrace cappuccino strip date back to 1897 and are a great source of shopping and entertainment.

The Central Mall in Kalamunda will come alive each Sunday for the Kalamunda Farmers Market with fresh, local produce, cooking demonstrations and more. Learn about seasonal fruits and vegetables, enjoy the friendly rural atmosphere, taste the quality.

The Kalamunda Markets have more than 150 stalls offering arts, crafts, jewellery, ceramics, paintings, bric-a-brac, plants and produce – most of it locally made or grown. Held from 8am–2pm on the first Saturday of every month in the centre of town.

SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS

How can you resist taking home some souvenirs to help you remember your great holiday?

The Perth Mint is the official location of the world’s greatest collection of gold investment bars and visitors can purchase precious metal coins, natural nuggets, exquisite jewellery and quality souvenirs in an atmosphere of old-world charm. 310 Hay St East Perth. Phone +61 8 9421 7223.

Didgeridoo Breath Buying a didgeridoo? Didgeridoo Breath in Fremantle can show you what to look for when selecting your instrument. Authentic Australian didgeridoos are created from the finest native timbers, cut by registered permit holders, dried and treated to export quality and uniquely hand painted and finished. They are Australia's largest specialty didgeridoo store. Learn to play for free! Open 7 days a week. Also, visit the upstairs Aboriginal Art Gallery. Open 7 days a week 6 Market St Fremantle. Phone +61 8 9430 6009.

In Kings Park you'll find the showcase retail space for local contemporary craft and design - Aspects of Kings Park - offering the savvy consumer unparalleled choice and an opportunity to purchase a truly exclusive souvenir of any visit to the state. The pieces reflect a distinctly Western Australian experience, bridging art and design, ecology and conservation, and showcase the best of Australian jewellery, metal, ceramics, glass, textiles and wood. Another outlet for the best of Australian craft and design is the FORM Gallery, which maintains a dynamic exhibition program featuring the highest quality local, national and international work in three-dimensional media, while the retail outlet has become a hub for those with a discerning eye for original Australian design. Located at 357 Murray St, off King St in Perth city. Phone +61 8 9480 3900.

Established for 21 years, Creative Native specialises in authentic Aboriginal art and didgeridoos and stocks a range of unique, quality hand made souvenirs and gifts, including wall hangings, prints, artefacts, indigenous books, jewellery and music. Perfect for that unique Australian gift. Creative Native has a superb collection of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art by some of Australia’s finest Aboriginal painters. Friendly and informative staff offer free didgeridoo lessons in store and can assist you with packaging and worldwide delivery of your purchases. Located downstairs, opposite the Post Office in Forrest Chase, Creative Native are committed to fairness and equity and to raising the profile of Aboriginal artists. They guarantee that Aboriginal artists benefit directly from the sales of their products. Phone +61 8 9221 5800.

Fremantle Chocolate will certainly have something to satisfy any sweet tooth. An award-winning chocolate factory in the heart of South Fremantle, it is owned and run by the same family as the Fudge Factory in Margaret River. They are dedicated to selecting the finest ingredients to make over 300 delicious chocolate and fudge products to choose from. There's plenty of parking, a family friendly environment and free samples. Open 7 days. 312 South Terrace, Fremantle Ph: 9335 5529

KING STREET

The history behind King Street set the stage for its present architectural glory. Once lined with workmen's cottages and Chinese market gardens, it was not until the heady Gold Boom days of the 1890s that properties were developed as warehouses for manufacturers' agents, importers and produce merchants. Part of its unique attraction is the mixture of diverse architectural styles that have built up over the years. The National Trust has classified the precinct as being of historical significance and for some years Perth Council have put a lot of time, effort and money into breathing new life into the area. And like Cinderella, King Street has undergone an aesthetic transformation. What was once a lacklustre back alley of Perth, is now the address of fashionable boutiques, cafes and specialist shops collectively reputed for originality, exclusivity and style.

While the street is a mecca for those shopping with generous budgets, it is also a popular dining destination, home to European-inspired brasseries such as No 44 King Street which serves excellent food, wine, coffee and cake. As evening approaches, head to one of the pubs on Murray Street which host local bands most nights. Apart from cafe culture, you can also browse for souvenirs at indigenous and contemporary art galleries or shop for beautiful garments in trendy boutiques.

SPECIALTY SHOPPING

For all your English grocery needs and more, Europlace Kalamunda English Sweets and Treats stocks leading UK food brands and products, and offer the 'Best of British' products to shoppers who respect traditional quality. Open Mon-Fri 10-4, Sat 9.30-3, Sun 8.30-1.00. Shop 38, Centro Kalamunda Central Mall Kalamunda. Phone +61 8 9293 0927.

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables international visitors to claim a refund of tax paid on goods bought in Australia, whether used during the holiday or not. You cannot claim a refund for GST which has been paid on items such as transport, food and accommodation.

The refund applies only to goods taken as hand luggage when leaving Australia. Refunds can be paid on goods costing $300 or more, bought from the same store, no earlier than 30 days before leaving the country. The goods should be covered by the one tax invoice; ensure that you retain this invoice and that it contains the retailer’s Australian Business Number.

There is a TRS booth in the departure area of Perth International Airport. Various payment options are available. For further information ask your retailer or call Customs on 1300 363 263.