10 Best Places to Go Shopping in the Gold Coast

Enjoy a stroll along James Street to explore delightful boutiques selling vintage apparel, eclectic homeware, artworks and much more. You can breathe in the fresh sea air as you wander along the lively thoroughfare, pausing to browse in the stylish stores. Look out for upcycled fashions and unique gifts, or sample some of the gourmet treats on offer at one of the delis.

James Street is close to the seafront in Burleigh Heads, a Gold Coast suburb with beautiful beaches and a national park. If you need a rest from shopping, drop into one of the area’s charming cafes for a refreshing coffee, gelato or freshly squeezed juice, and recharge as you gaze at the ocean that shimmers on the horizon.

Surfers Paradise is popular for its stunning beach and vibrant beachfront markets. Held several evenings a week, the markets are a great place to hunt for unusual fashions, jewelry, artworks, gifts, and beauty products. Wander along the Surfers Paradise foreshore after dinner to soak up the vibrant atmosphere, with street entertainers, caricature artists, and live music adding to the family-friendly twilight fun.

At the heart of Surfers Paradise, you’ll also find Soul Boardwalk, a shopping mall that offers great beachwear and streetwear stores, as well as several eateries with ocean views. Check the Center Information at Soul Boardwalk for the latest news about special discounts on shopping and dining, and exciting events to feed your soul.

Pacific Fair is one of Australia’s largest shopping malls, with over 400 places to shop, eat, and enjoy. You’ll find a vast collection of Australian and international high-street and luxury brands, including Zara, H&M, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. If you’d like to linger after shopping, try one of the many great restaurants, or catch a movie on a gigantic 22-metre screen. There are fully equipped parents’ rooms with play neighborhoods available, as well as a spacious visitor lounge for your comfort.

Pacific Fair is in Broadbeach, a 30-minute drive from the Gold Coast Airport. There’s a free shopping shuttle bus available 7 days a week from various resorts, including Main Beach in the north and Burleigh Heads in the south.

Robina Town Center is a huge shopping mall that’s home to over 320 specialty stores selling apparel, sportswear, footwear, homewares, and more. Its well-known technology and toy brand stores aren’t available anywhere else on the Gold Coast. If you need a bite to eat in between shopping sprees, there’s a vast Food Atrium with 15 eateries, as well as 2 other dedicated food neighborhoods. There’s also a movie theater, an amazing interactive art gallery, and a bowling complex with Laser Tag.

Robina Town Center is located adjacent to the M1 Expressway, off Robina Parkway in the suburb of Robina, one of Australia’s first and largest master-planned residential communities. The mall offers guest services and amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and thousands of free parking spaces.

The Strand is the place to go shopping when you’re enjoying a fun day in sunny Coolangatta—or 'Cooly' to the locals. Within the walls of The Strand, you’ll find an energetic mix of stores that offer beachwear, sportswear, and homeware, as well as a range of small boutiques and independent gift shops selling handmade jewelry inspired by the Gold Coast’s striking beaches. If you’d like to shop for food, there are specialist food stores and a large Woolworths for stocking up on fresh Australian produce.

Directly in front of The Strand is the splendid Coolangatta Beach, where you can challenge your friends to a game of beach volleyball on the free courts. Coolangatta is at the southernmost end of the Gold Coast, about 2 miles from the Gold Coast Airport.

Take a short stroll from the gorgeous Surfers Paradise Beach to Circle on Cavill to find specialty retailers in health and wellbeing, as well as fashion, surfwear, and much more. If you’re looking for fresh, locally sourced food, there’s a Woolworths grocery store, and also a variety of eateries on offer. You might want to sample dumplings and noodles, Mexican delicacies, or a tasty snack of churros.

If you’re shopping with family and they’re getting restless, try a round of mini golf at Holey Moley, or visit the bowling arcade with its dedicated karaoke room. You’ll find Circle on Cavill Shopping Center between Surfers Paradise Boulevard and the Gold Coast Highway.

An oasis of calm at Main Beach, Marina Mirage’s intimate and peaceful interior is home to luxury fashions, accessories, homeware, and gourmet foods. Local boutiques and designers including Sonia Stradiotto Couture and the sustainable Australian clothing brand wYse sit alongside internationally renowned names like GANT. You’ll find shops with a difference at Marina Mirage, too, including stunning fine art by talented local artists, and a clothing alterations store where you can make an appointment for high-quality fittings.

Marina Mirage is part of an elegant waterfront complex opposite the 5-star Sheraton Grand Resort & Spa, and next to the Palazzo Versace hotel.

You’ll find a relaxing blend of boutique shopping and entertainment at the Chevron Renaissance Shopping Center, close to the beaches at Surfers Paradise. Shop for fashion accessories, jewelry, and homewares, or stop at one of the bars or restaurants to sample local and international foods.

If you’re enjoying the getaway that the shopping mall provides, consider the high-tech puzzles that are ready to thrill and entertain you. Or try the Infinity Attraction, and journey into a futuristic maze-like world. If you’d prefer a more calming retreat, pamper yourself with one of the many luxurious health and beauty services on offer.

Just 15 minutes north of Surfers Paradise in Biggera Waters, you’ll find the Harbor Town Premium Outlets, Australia’s first outlet shopping mall. Housing over 220 stores that stock internationally renowned brand names like Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Crocs and Nike, this is the place to go if you want to shop for amazing bargains on designer essentials.

The mall is arranged in the open air, so you can wander under the shade of leafy palm trees as you go from shop to shop in search of treasure. There’s a tourism lounge available if you need to relax and recharge, or simply pick up your free Tourist Discount Card and local V.I.P. Shopper Card to find savings, deals and benefits.

Shop like a local in the Gold Coast suburb of Ashmore, where there are fabulous bargains to be found if you’re looking for surfwear, swimwear, fashion, accessories and more. Shops include Billabong, Quiksilver, Unit, and Skate Connection. This is also the place to search for cut-price sunglasses, with a wide range of brand-name shades and polarised eyewear on offer. There’s a down-to-earth feel in this colorful open-air outlet mall, and the staff are friendly and helpful.

You’ll find the Ashmore Factory Outlets 14 miles from the Gold Coast Airport, and about a 15-minute drive from the beaches of Surfers Paradise.