Ladies from Sydney - help me out here!

[helpless!]

Hi Ladies from Sydney (Australia).

Could I please ask for your help. We will be in Sydney for a few days and I would love to go shopping. I am interested in mid range stuff for kids, women and men. Could you please recommend the best places to go shopping. I need the following:

Kids - boardies, accessories, shorts, cool sun hats and T shirts.
Men - smart casual clothes
Women - smart casual e.g. Country Road or similar and great swimwear!

Is there a Target in Sydney (found some great kids stuff there before) and a Country Road? Is there a main shopping centre as I do not want to go all over Sydney, I probably have one  afternoon.

[Eastern surburbs]

Try the centre of Sydney or shopping centres such as 1. Bondi Junction or 2. Crows Nest. BJ definitely has the shops you have mentioned.

Enjoy your shopping.....

[pitt street]

Try Myers and David Jones, especially if there are sales on. Both have good selections of mens, women   a childrens clothing. I really like a brand called Sportscraft which you can get at the above stores or they also have their own outlets.

Target and K Mart are good for kids clothes especially board shorts etc.  There are also all the usual shops such as Billabong, Ripcurl etc.

Just bear in mind that it is winter at the moment in Sydney so there might not be a good range of summer clothing.

[Sydney Frequent Visitor]

I shop Downtown, as previously mentioned, Mosman Hight Street, shopping centres in Chatswood in the 'burbs, but that's only 'cause I tend to stay in a hotel in the CBD, visit friends in Mosman and go to our office in Chatswood.

[where in sydney]

where in sydney will you be staying and we can recommend the best place to go to that isn't too far from where you will be....

[helpless!]

OK I am jumping the gun, we are going at Xmas. I'm just so excited

We are staying a few minutes from the Opera House.

[The Rocks?]

The Rocks? Or further into the CBD?

[sydne sider]

my recommendation to you is - westfields at bondi junction will be well worth the visit - fantastic range of shops for all budgets and not too far from the cbd....

[Caligirlnotloggedin]

I second the suggestion of Bondi Junction Westfields -- very easy bus ride from the CBD (or train or taxi).

You can also catch a bus from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach itself, where the selection of beach gear (especially women's suits and boardies) will be very impressive. Bonus: great views of the beach.

Happy shopping!

[Madison]

Westfield Bondi Junction for sure.  They have a Pumpkin Patch that caters for babes to early teens including swimmers/undies etc.  Also a large surf shop there and numerous stores for you and man of the house.

If you get the chance try to wander along Oxford Street Paddington try to do so before you reach BJ.  Some interesting Oz designer gear beside middle of the road stores.  A bit more expensive perhaps but not always.  A good shoe and bag shop just opposite the church which is reasonable.

The church also holds a market on Saturdays (I think) which is eclectic and if you get the chance to visit Bondi Beach try to do so on a Sunday as there is another market at the Public School (the North end).  Again good buys that you won't find elsewhere.  Of course more surf shops along Campbell Parade.  Along the middle of the beach (near the lifeguard post) you can hire boogie *** or organise for a surf lesson at a shop behind the beach north end.  There is a great cafe next to surf shop so you can latte up and watch the kids!

Am seriously missing the shopping and surf!

Enjoy your stay and hope you have a chance to watch the fireworks on NYE!

[Caligirl]

Am seriously missing the shopping and surf!

I am loving the life in Sydney, I must say!

Great suggestion by Madison to check out Paddington Markets on Saturday morning (every Saturday) and Bondi Markets on Sunday. You could combine either with a stop at Bondi Junction.

http://www.paddingtonmarkets.com.au/

http://www.bondimarkets.com.au/

http://westfield.com.au/bondijunction/

Getting to Paddington, Bondi Junction & Bondi are all very easy from where you will be staying. Your best bet is the 333 pre-pay express bus (limited stops, but does hit all three spots). You can buy a ticket at virtually any convenience store downtown.

Bondi is one of my favorite spots in Sydney -- not only is the shopping great, but the people watching and views are fantastic. The Bondi to Bronte (or Coogee) cliff walk is not to be missed.

Enjoy your time in Sydney!

[Hey Caligirl!]

Sorry off topic but if you like the Bondi Bronte walk keep an eye out for the "sculpture by the sea" exhibition which I think is held in summer, really adds to the walk and interesting sculptures.  Once saw a thai pagoda made out of tyres!  Also have you visited a little harbour beach called Camp Cove down in Watsons Bay.  Great for kids, no surf, small, cafe (that sells crap food but good for an ice cream!) then onto the Watsons Bay pub for lunch or early evening drinks/snacks.

Am now pining for Sydney am off to book flights home for Xmas.

Cheers
Madison

[Caligirl]

Back at ya, Madison -- I love "Sculpture By The Sea" and have gone the past two years. This past season, the weather was particularly amazing & the people watching/art viewing was great. Thanks for the tip about Camp Cove. I have a book that covers the 90 best beaches (ocean, harbour, coves) and pools in the Sydney Metro area, and I think I've hit about 60 of them -- that's what the kids & I do for fun during spring/summer/fall.

OP, hope you have a wonderful time in Sydney. Pack warmly, as we've been experiencing a relative "cold spell!"

[Birkenhead Point]

Try out Birkenhead Point Shopping Centre with huge discounts is great and also the DFO shops. Enjoy...........