Shopping in Cairns
While Cairns and Tropical North Queensland is known for its relaxed and laid back vibe, the people here are no slouches in the fashion stakes. Locals pride themselves on keeping up to date with the latest and hippest fashion trends, and retailers never fail to deliver. From high end designers, department stores although smaller in size than southern stores, a few trendy boutiques, and novelty stores, Cairns just about has it all to suit every taste, style, and budget for our casual lifestyle.
For tourists looking for little gifts to take home there are endless little shops selling fury kangaroos and koalas, macadamia nuts and Tim Tams. Printed T-Shirts, flags, Aboriginal paintings, boomerangs and didgeridoos. Handcrafted wooden toys, postcards and lots more. Just make sure you check your goods for Made in China labels before delivering to your friends as this detracts from the excitement
The shopping options in Cairns are varied making it possible for everyone to find something they like. Cairns boasts a small strip where you will find all the high-end designers such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Coach. Whether you opt for a bit of window shopping along this expensive street or want to indulge yourself with some designer jeans the choice is all yours.
However, for those with a bargain in mind Cairns is now home to a Direct Factory Outlets (DFO) where you will find over 100 brand name stores offering their goods at discounted prices. Just make sure you compare the normal retail rates first to ensure you get a bargain.
Cairns Central
When locals go shopping, they go to the air conditioned Cairns Central. Not only is Cairns Central is home to a small Myer store, one of Australia's biggest department store chains, it is jam packed with almost every type of store you could possibly think of. From men's and women's fashion, lap tops, DVD players, lingerie, fancy footwear, books, sporting goods, jewelry, eyewear, cosmetics, florists, and much more, you will find what you are after at Cairns Central.
Boasting over 180 stores, Cairns Central has been open since 1997 and is the largest shopping center in Cairns Far North Queensland. Not only does the center serve as a shopping Mecca for the Cairns region, it also offers plenty of convenient fast food dining options as well as a six screen Birch Carroll and Coyle Movie Theatre.
The Cairns Central Food Court offers all your favorite fast food selections including McDonalds, KFC, and Subway as well as international flavors including Indian, Asian, and Japanese. If you are in the mood for something a bit more formal Cairns Central is home to Tosca's Italian Restaurant and Sushi Train as well as a few coffee shops.
Cairns Central is open daily from 9.00am - 5.30pm Monday - Saturday, with a late night shopping until 9.00pm on Thursday, and from 10.30am - 4.00pm on Sunday.
The Pier, Cairns
Visit The Pier Cairns Shopping Centre today for a wide variety of specialty stores, award winning waterfront restaurants, cafes and bars. Purchase international retail brands or souvenirs from local artists. Book a tour at the Visitor Information Centre or simply relax in air-conditioned comfort. Located next to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, on the Marina.
For more information visit our website: www.thepiercairns.com.au
Orchid Plaza
During the working week Orchid Plaza bustles with workers heading out of nearby offices to grab lunch or browse the shops. On the lower floor you will find some of Cairns premier souvenir and gift shops alongside unique women's and men's fashion boutiques such as RM Williams. The lower level of Orchid Plaza also features a stunning jewelry store selling pearls and exquisite Australian Opals. On the upper level of Orchid Plaza you will find a vast food court featuring one of the locals favorite Corea Corea, sandwich outlets, Chinese and the delectable Sushi Express.
Orchid Plaza is located between Abbott and Lake Street on the corner of Shields Street. The shopping center is open seven days a week
DFS Galleria
DFS Galleria offers the ultimate in high-end luxury shopping. Located in the heart of Cairns CBD, DFS Galleria consists of two floors of mini boutiques offering duty free shopping for international guests. The luxury retailers apparently offer up to a 30 percent discount on goods as compared to market prices in Japan, Korea, and China. Stocking goods including men's and women's watches, fragrance, sunglasses, leather goods, and accessories by Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Cartier, Coach, and Anna Sui the DFS Galleria is the place where you will find the perfect gift for the person who has everything. While at the DFS Galleria you will feel like you are a princess with all the attentive shop keepers presenting their wares so beautifully.
For those that are not international travelers, you can still shop at DFS. However, you will be required to pay tax on the item and are not permitted to purchase cosmetics, tobacco, and alcohol. DFS Galleria is open from daily from 12:00noon to 8:00pm.
DFO
Direct Factory Outlets (DFO) is a popular shopping center where local fashionistas hunt for the perfectly priced outfit. Located just a five minute drive down Mulgrave Road from Cairns CBD, the shopping center boasts over 100 Australian and International brands offering all sorts of discounts on their top quality end of season items, samples or returns.
At DFO you will find fashion stores including Polo, Oroton, Tony Bianco, Guess, Pepe Jeans, Quicksilver, and much more. Not only is DFO a great place to revitalize the wardrobe, the center also has plenty of home ware, sporting goods, and furniture stores too.
After working up an appetite with all that shopping, you can grab a lunch or snack in the DFO food court. Offering Hungry Jacks, Origin Kebabs, Eatz Express, Donut King, The Good Wok, Subway, and various coffee shops throughout the facility, you will not go hungry at DFO.
DFO is open daily from 9.00am - 5.00pm
Stocklands
If you keep your eye out on the left hand side for a ten meter long, four tonne, giant Marlin, you will not miss Stocklands Shopping Center. Just a ten minute drive from the center of Cairns, the giant Marlin is positioned right out the front of the shopping center. Stocklands is home to over 125 specialty retailers and a six screen Birch Carroll and Coyle Movie Theatre. From men's and women's fashions, footwear, accessories, electrical and communications, health and beauty, and sporting goods stores, Stocklands has everything you need and want. The center has a vast food court with plenty of varieties of flavors to choose from. Whether you stop in at Sushi Train, Muffin Break, Planet Café, Golden Wok, Curry D' Lite, or Ali Babba's Kebabs, you are in for a delightful meal.
Stocklands Shopping center is open Monday - Wednesday from 9.00am - 5.30pm, Thursday from 9.00am - 9.00pm, Friday from 9.00 - 5.30pm, Saturday from 9.00am - 5.00pm, and Sunday from 10.30 - 4.00pm.