Shopping in Adelaide
With its pedestrianised malls, arcades, food courts and markets, Adelaide offers a smorgasbord for the retail therapy-seeker to gorge on while exploring what Adelaide has to offer.
South Australia produces 80% of the world’s opal, with authentic Coober Pedy, Mintabie and Andamooka opal being of supreme quality. At the family-run Opal Diamond Factory on 32-34 King William Street, you can watch opal be cut, polished and designed into custom-made jewellery.
Key areas
Recently redeveloped Rundle Mall has been sewn with rows of Chinese elms, new seating and contemporary paving, and features over 1,000 retailers which includes the 4-storey high addition of H&M. Norwood Parade and Burnside are districts where Adelaide’s ‘well-heeled’ shoppers clip around. They offer international labels and bespoke giftware, as well as gourmet foods stores. Hunt through the outlet stores at Harbor Town for cut-price designer labels.
Markets
The multicultural lanes at Adelaide Central Market overflow with South Australian produce and international delicacies. Take a guided walk before filling your bags with fresh fruits, gourmet cheeses, freshly-ground coffees, olives, pickles, smallgoods (small meat products), charcuterie meats and fish.
The Sunday morning Adelaide Farmers’ Market at Adelaide Showground features gourmet produce often plucked from the ground that very morning. Look out for quandong preserves and purple cauliflowers. You can also watch live cooking demonstrations from acclaimed Adelaide hotel chefs.
Shopping centres
Adelaide’s main department stores are Myer, David Jones and Harris Scarfe. Adelaide Arcade and the Regent Arcade in Rundle Mall are ornate gallery-style thoroughfares offering unique Australian designs in specialised boutiques. Find Akubra hats and vintage rag dolls and teddy bears here.
Opening hours
Central Adelaide's usual shopping hours are Monday to Thursday 0900-1700, though some retailers open until 1900. Friday is late-night shopping until 2100. Saturday opening hours are 0900-1700 and Sunday 1100-1700. Late night shopping at other suburbs (such as at Westfield West Lakes) is on Thursday until 2100. Hours are likely to vary on public holidays like Anzac Day (25 April) and Australia Day (26 January).
Souvenirs
For fluffy Australian animals, T-shirts, tea towels and coasters, visit Fancy That Gift in the Myer Centre at Rundle Mall. Alternatively, find hand-crafted gifts at Urban Cow Studio on Vaughan Place, or unique, one-off designs in glass, ceramic and wood at Jam Factory on Morphett Street.
Tax information
There is a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST).
