If you love shopping then you'll never want to leave the Gold Coast but your bank manager might want you too!

Without doubt the Gold Coast is one of Australia's most popular shopping meccas, offering every variety of resortwear and accessories imaginable, locally-made and inported fashions, unique distinctive jewellery and artworks, antiques, curios, crafts reflecting the coast's lifestyle.

Glittering department stores, eye-popping arcades and boutiques are concentrated in major centres.

Restaurants and coffee shops abound to add a special treat to your shopping spree.

Here are a few of our favourites:

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
Located just South of Surfers Paradise, Pacific Fair is home to many of Australia's best retailers. There are 7 major stores including Myer Department Store and the new international Daimaru Department Store as well as over 275 specialty retailers and a vast array of bars, restaurants, cafes and the Food Court. Pacific Fair would have to be the hightlight of the retail shopping on offer. Its theme is in keeping with the Holiday Fun that is the signature of the Gold Coast experience all wrapped up in a relaxed friendly environment. Click here for their website.

Harbour Town
Harbour Town is lined with stylish, beautifully appointed stores selling quality merchandise, including store label stock made specifically for brand direct sale and first quality end of season lines. Harbour Town boasts Australia's first purpose-built outlet shopping precinct in a major regional shopping centre. Harbour Town is also home to the Gold Coast's largest cinema complex showing the latest movies on 14 screens. Click here for their website.

The Oasis Shopping Centre
Over 100 specialty stores offering choices in gifts, homewares, fashion plus the added convenience of a Woolworths supermarket. There are a range of cosmopolitan restaurants or cafes everyday or night of the week. The Oasis Shopping Centre also offers a host of handy services including Australia Post, The Bank of QLD, a Dry Cleaner plus several Hair, Health and Beauty Salons. Click here for their website.

Centro Surfers Paradise
Discover a world of shopping, dining, fun & entertainment right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Located opposite Australia's most popular tourist beach, the Paradise Centre has over 110 specialty stores offering a relaxed holiday shopping experience, conveniently located to all central holiday accommodation, apartments and hotels. Click here for their website.

Australia Fair
Situated in the heart of Queensland’s Gold Coast 2 km north of Surfers Paradise, directly opposite the Southport Broadwater. Over 220 specialty stores with majors including Coles, Woolworths, Kmart, Best & Less as well as Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas and a range of services such as Australia Post, Medicare and RACQ. Click here for their website.

Marina Mirage
Located 5 minutes drive from the heart of Surfers Paradise. Shop & Dine in relaxed style, spectacular waterfront location overlooking the Broadwater, award-winning restaurants, designer boutiques, top fashion labels, art galleries. Click here for their website.

Robina Town Centre
With a unique combination of over 220 fashion, homewares, food and leisure retailers and the Gold Coast's only David Jones store, Robina Town Centre has become the first choice shopping destination for Gold Coast's locals and is a must see for visitors to Queensland's Gold Coast. Don't forget to visit the Customer Service Centre located near Town Square to receive your Visitor Privilege Card which offers fantastic specials.

Other shopping

Markets are held mostly on weekends. You can buy quality handcrafted goods, mouth watering home-made pickles and jams and be entertained by buskers, face-painters and other colourful characters. Our favourites are the night markets and the Carrara Markets, explore weekend market stalls, listen to buskers and other entertainers.

Pottery of unique design from local clay and glases, paintings, wooden creations and other items can be found if you venture away from the major centres to historic villages and towns nestled in the Gold Coast's hinterland of magnificent mountains and valleys.

A great day out for the whole family is Sanctuary Cove village. A good idea is to take a Cruise there along the wonderful waterways and sail past its glorious marina into the Village ... just delightful.

Duty-free shopping is at its best on the Gold Coast, offering a range of Australian-made souvenirs, clothing and accessories plus internationally recognised labels of watches, jewelery, perfumes, leather goods, electronics and so much more.