Most stores are open seven days; many stay open late on Fridays to 9pm. As a general rule trading hours for the City shops are; Saturday to Wednesday: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm. Thursday: 10:00 am to 07:00 pm. Friday: 10:00 am to 09.00 pm.

Whether you are working with a student budget or in search of the latest in any designer line, all are catered for. From Armani to Dior to Banana Republic all the way through to Zegna, name it, you will find in Melbourne. Not to name the biggest range of specialty shops found in the middle of the city. Any kind of shopping you may be seeking to do, you will be able to accomplish that in Melbourne. Even for groceries, you are lost for choice. The biggest food mall of all is at the Queen Victoria Market where the freshest fish is still swimming in the sea. It doesn’t get better than this. Does it?

Here are some of the major shopping venues in Melbourne

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKETS

This is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. This historic landmark was officially opened in 1878. It has over 1,000 stalls selling just about everything. The market buildings sell meat products and everything else is sold in the open from vegetables, fruits, clothing, shoes, baggage, toys, pets, jewelry, and souvenirs all at bargain prices. Operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 06:00 am to 02:00 pm, Fridays from 06:00 am to 06:00 pm, Saturday from 06:00 am to 03:00 pm and Sunday from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm. It is located 513 Elizabeth Street, Corner of Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street, Melbourne.

FEDERATION SQUARE

This is the meeting place for Victoria’s finest; fine art, fine hospitality, fine flora, fine design, great events. It is a unifying landmark for the different cultures. Its very well marries the exquisite gardens, innovative architecture and engineering. Neighboring it is the Ian Potter Centre incorporating the National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Museum, SBS, Melbourne Visitor Centre, cafes and restaurants.

SUNDAY’S MARKET at the ARTS CENTRE

This market parades over 150 stalls of Victoria’s finest artisan’s work. The sellers are selected after passing strident examination for the quality and diversity of their work. It is situated at the Corner St Kilda and Southgate Roads, Southbank. This is where artists of every genre from painters to sculptors to visual artists to musicians to thespians all converge.

CROWN CASINO & CROWN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX

This is a genuine ‘Las Vegas’ in the gambling sense. It is one of the largest gaming facilities in Southern Hemisphere. It parades 350 gaming tables and 2,500 slot machines. There are also restaurants, up-market boutiques, nightclubs, two hotel towers, a cinema complex, and floorshows. Open 24 hours except Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day when it is closed from 04:00 am to noon.

ROYAL ARCADE

This is the oldest shopping mall in the city. It was built in 1869. Though it has been altered a few times it still retains a graceful elegance and authenticity lacking in many modern malls. Inside there are great features such as the statues of Gog and Magog, the mythical monsters that toll the hour on either side of Gaunt’s Clock.

THE BLOCK ARCADE

This is Melbourne’s main shopping arcade. It was built in 1891. Has huge ceiling murals and intricate mosaic floors. The Block is famous for its arcades. It is built based on models in Paris, London and Milan.

CHINATOWN

Here you will get Chinese medicine, music, restaurants, gold and jewelry, unique and exotic gifts, cinema, events and festivals, the museum and karaoke.

BOURKE STREET MALL

Melbourne’s main department stores are located here along with street performers and buskers performing throughout the mall area.

DOCKLANDS

This is a new shopping mall with a great variety to choose from as well.

SOUTHGATE PLAZA

These are three level shops, cafes bars and restaurants that may be reached from the CBD by an arched footbridge located behind the Flinders Street Station.

SOUTHGATE LEISURE PRECINCT

Whether you are an overseas visitor, a city worker or day-trippers, this is a place where you will find everything you need. It’s a major spot for scenic walking being especially vibrant with throngs of people including many street theatre performers.

All year round Melbourne hosts international tourists who flock to catch up with major sporting events as well as exploring this wonderful city.

This second largest city in Australia boasts of a multicultural population comprising of Greeks, Vietnamese, Italian, Jewish and others

Melbourne is full of tourist attractions and is indeed one of remaining few cities in the world which still have trams running right through the roads. While you take a ride through the city streets, you may spot the remaining Victorian-era building among the modern high-rises. Melbourne has one of the world’s largest casinos, named the Crown Casino and there’s Albert Park which is home to Melbourne’s F1 Grand Prix circuit and you surely won’t want to miss that.

There are several tourist attraction sites in Melbourne. Some of the best places to visit in Melbourne Australia would be:

• Melbourne Central: this is a home to more than 200 shops restaurants and small quaint cafes. This is one place that will give you a shopping experience of a lifetime. This is an ideal place to pick up souvenir, or even do some personal shopping, and is certainly the premier shopping center in Melbourne and one of the top Melbourne tourist attractions.

• St Kilda: this offers you great bayside playgrounds. There are great shops and cafes here as well.

• Richmond: this is a suburb that is known for its multicultural state. There are very diverse cultures living here.

• Williamstown: Williamstown displays the picturesque waterfront. Also offers great shops and cafes, trendy bars and outstanding restaurants and lovely boutiques. Brunswick and South Yarra. Brunswick and South Yarra are suburbs which just like Williamstown offer great shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The experience here is awesome

• Melbourne’s Bays and Peninsulas are also a superb place to visit and relax.

• The Melbourne Observation Deck – Rialto Towers offers you the unforgettable view of a lifetime as you watch Melbourne atop this 253meter- high Rialto Towers.

• Federation Square is not to be ignored on any visit. This area is combined of an entire city block and offers fabulous shops, restaurants and cultural desires.

• The Royal Botanic Gardens are also a must see, you get to see over 12,000 species of plants, as well as wildlife.

• The Melbourne Zoo: this was Australia’s first zoo. About a million visitors flock this zoo every year. It was opened in 1862

• Sovereign Hill, Ballarat is a theatrically recreates Australia’s historic gold rush days.

We cannot leave out the Melbourne International Film Festival, held each year between July and August. This is usually the Australian winter. It is said to be one of the most well set out international film festivals in the world. It brings in a diverse group of international films each year. Passes to the film festival can be purchased for a single day, or a week of movie viewing.

Another must see in Melbourne is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, home to cricket matches and Australian Rules Football. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is a great place to see your favorite sports live, or possibly experience Australian Rules Football for the first time. The Melbourne Cricket Ground also holds the world record for the world’s tallest light towers.

There are a variety of museums and galleries as well. The beaches are a great place to relax. There are breathtaking Bays and Peninsulas which offer great golf courses, playgrounds wildlife and national parks.

In Melbourne there is something for everyone, a visit to Melbourne can never be a waste. You will take with you memories that will last a lifetime.