Shopping 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 Arcades and Malls of Perth. 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. City banks will exchange currencies and are open from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and to 5pm on Friday. International class hotels will arrange exchange of major currencies for guests, however for the best exchange rate, we recommend the independent currency exchange operators Flight Centre Travel Money (formerly Nationwide Foreign Exchange), who offer no fees or commissions on foreign cash transactions. Also, look for Escape Travel Money when visiting Rockingham. The two city stores are open seven days a week, late trading on Fridays. Stores on the Hay Street Mall between London Court and St Martin's Arcade or on the Murray Street Mall near Carillon Arcade, both in the centre of the City. Phone 9221 1261. More information about banks etc. 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 Outlet shopping at its best - Harbour Town in West Perth offers an amazing outlet shopping experience, with more than 70 quality brand direct outlets offering up to 60% less every day. This unique brand direct shopping centre will stock exciting international and national brands through outlets such as Aspect with Polo Ralph Lauren, Morrissey, Marcs and Oroton, and The Designer Room with international labels such as DKNY, Dolce & Gabanna and French Connection. Harbour Town is centrally located just 10 minutes from Perth city. Old Markets Site, 840 Wellington St, West Perth Phone 9321 2282. The Swim Shop is the factory outlet for David Herring Australia swimwear and beachwear and one of the major outlets for the Sunseeker, Jantzen and Loo Taylor brands, offering the best of Australian and international swimwear and beachwear at very affordable prices. The shop has moved to new premises at 323 Hay Street East Perth (corner Hill Street). Browse quietly in air-conditioned comfort without the usual shopping mall bustle – no fuss, no pressure and very small prices. Husbands’ waiting chair with TV tuned to sport and the kettle is always on. Open 9am–5pm Mon–Fri and 9am–2pm Sat. Phone 9221 9684. 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 9430 4334 Email... 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 9321 8687 Fax 9321 4538. 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 9325 8588. London Court Sports is your one-stop shop for a complete range of quality authentic rugby jerseys and merchandise including the Australian Wallabies, New Zealand All Blacks, National Rugby League and Super 14s teams, plus Perth Glory and the Australian Socceros. Come in and try one on - purchase souvenirs and buy gifts for your friend. Shop 25-26 London Court Phone 9325 1268 Email... Markets 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. The Fremantle Markets on the South Terrace cappuccino strip date back to 1897 and are a great source of shopping and entertainment. More information... Souvenirs and gifts How can you resist taking home some souvenirs to help you remember your great holiday? 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 9430 6009. Goods & Services Tax 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. 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. The easiest way to find King Street is by its landmarks - the Belgian Beer Cafe and Carnegies, on opposite corners of Murray Street, and His Majesty's Theatre, a beautiful old building on the corner of Hay Street. If you're exploring on foot, King Street is a few minutes' walk from Perth's major malls. Those travelling by car will find that parking in King Street itself is not easy. Instead, use one of the multi-storey car parks close by. The Red CAT bus system runs east down Murray Street and west up Hay Street which is convenient to access King Street (view map of city). © 2008 COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS Disclaimer: The information on this website, which is believed to be accurate and current at the time of publishing, has been prepared in good faith and is given as a guide only. The publisher accepts no responsibility for loss, injury, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of using this information. Customs, travel, safety and health issues should all be confirmed with the relevant authorities before you travel. |