When you think about what to do on the Gold Coast, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the beach, nightclubs, or schoolies weekend. However, something else that puts the Gold Coast on the map is the shopping scene — the region is bursting with some of the best shopping centres, retail-friendly streets, markets and specialist retail experiences.
Shopping centres on the Gold Coast are where you’ll find fantastic restaurants, some of the Gold Coast’s best specialty coffee, designer clothing, luxe homewares, fresh produce and much more. To help you get your bearings and plan a satisfying day of retail therapy, we’ve put this list together of the best Gold Coast shopping centres and retail experiences.
Best Shopping Destinations on the Gold Coast
- Robina Town Centre, Robina
- Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
- Harbour Town, Biggera Waters
- Carrara Markets, Carrara
1. Robina Town Centre, Robina
Address: Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina QLD 4230
Instagram: @robinatowncentre
Perfect for: Retail therapy, groceries, gift-buying, extensive dining, and entertainment.
If you’re looking for a shopping centre on the Gold Coast where you can find anything you might need, Robina Town Centre is a must-visit. With over 350 stores to browse, Robina offers a wide variety of Australian and international brands, and it is the only shopping venue with an Apple store and Lego Certified shops on the Gold Coast!
Stroll through hundreds of fashion and accessories stores, including H&M, General Pants Co and Universal Store, for the ultimate wardrobe refresh. Find the best homeware at Cookware Brands or Adairs; or treat yourself to some hair and nail treatments at any of the Health and Beauty facilities. Need to restock your pantry? Between Woolworths, Coles, Earth Markets, Just Healthy and more, there are plenty of options to pick up fresh pantry items.
At Robina, you’ll find three dining precincts, with options for different tastes, budgets and times of the day. Visit the Food Atrium for a quick lunch or snack — it’s an air-conditioned 900-seat area with an amazing line-up of restaurants.
Head over to The Kitchens to try foods from around the world with an Australian twist, from handmade dumplings, burgers, sushi, gelato and more. They’re also host to a rare American food chain, Cinnabon — so you can try something you may have heard of in Hollywood movies before but never had.
If you’re looking for places to eat on the Gold Coast with family or friends, visit The Promenades — a relaxed lakeside dining area with many restaurants and sporting bars to choose from. Even if you aren’t with kids, a few drinks at TGI Fridays, dinner at Yum Cha Robina, then waffles and hot choccy at Max Brenner sounds unreal.
When it comes to entertainment, Robina also has a lot to offer. The shopping centre is home to Events Cinema Robina, Australia’s first fully-digital cinema, and ArtVo, Queensland’s immersive ‘trick art’ gallery with eight mind-bending zones to explore. Those up for a friendly competition can visit Zone Bowling or the Timezone arcade.
2. Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
Address: Isle Of Capri, 15-21 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Instagram: @caprionviaroma
Perfect for: Sophisticated retail, cafes and restaurant dining on the water, with an Italian flair.
Located in the surroundings of Surfers Paradise, Capri on Via Roma is a slice of Italy on the Isle of Capri. It features espresso bars, restaurants, specialty retailers in fashion, homewares, floristry, beauty and fitness for one of the most luxurious and unique shopping experiences on the Gold Coast.
Pick up your groceries from high-end grocer, Harris Farm, get your bread from Bisou Bakery, fine meats and cheeses from Manolas Bros Delicatessen, and fill up your bar at Capri Wine and Beer.
Capri on Via Roma also offers exclusive Italian clothes and accessories for women at La Kore, or you can shop at Mia Style — a boutique offering a range of Australian-label garments, as well as beauty products and botanical wax candles. If you’re shopping for jewellery, make sure to stop at 5th Avenue Jewellers, a family business with more than 40 years of service. Here you can choose among the finest ranges of Australian and European jewellery, with the assistance of two senior gemmologists and a master jeweller.
If it’s quality restaurant dining you’re after, enjoy a quintessentially Australian meal at The Fish Emporium’s Retail Fresh Seafood & Takeaway, or opt for a soft Bao bun packed with all the freshest ingredients at Bao Burgers. For a meal with a view, head to Edgewater Dining & Lounge Bar, a waterfront dining venue with a seasonal menu of modern Australian dishes and a curated list of wines and cocktails.
The shopping centre is also home to a fully-equipped gym, so you can maintain your workout routine even while travelling, and a massage parlour for nurturing the body and soul after a big day of shopping. Once you’re feeling nourished, energised and ready for the rest of your day, pop into That Pretty Market florist for a beautiful floral arrangement.
To get to Capri on Via Roma, you can drive in from the neighbouring Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach or Bundall, or take the bus or tram from Surfers Paradise. If you really want to get fancy and make a day of it, why not take things to the next level by hiring a nice European car for the day.
3. Harbour Town, Biggera Waters
Address: 147-189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters QLD 4216
Instagram: @harbourtowngc
Perfect for: Finding the best brands at the lowest prices, in an outdoor setting.
Harbour Town is the largest outlet shopping centre in Australia, where you’ll find more than 240 stores offering the most unbelievable discounts (we’re talking up to 70% off the original price). It’s open every day, including for Thursday late-night shopping, and has some of the biggest brands on offer.
Something uniquely ‘Gold Coast’ about Harbour Town is its design and layout. It is laid out in an open design, with blocks of stores arranged into a moderately sized, open-air pedestrian streetscape. This inside-outside arrangement makes Harbour Town feel distinctly different from a normal indoor shopping centre — if you feel like some fresh air, you can just pop straight outside whatever shop you’re in. Oh, and it means that dogs are welcome in much of the outdoor areas too (just politely ask staff in individual stores if it’s okay to bring your four-legged friend inside).
Grab all your fashion essentials at Cotton:on, Just Jeans, Lacoste or Dickies; shop dazzling Swarovski jewellery; and up your sneaker game at Converse, Havaianas or Platypus. If you’re shopping for homewares, pop into Bed Bath N’ Table or Sheridan and, of course, visit JB Hi-Fi for all your electronics and small appliances.
While at Harbour Town, get your grocery shopping done at Woolworths, swing by Exotic Asian Grocery for delicious imported goods and check Harbour Town Discount Fruit Barn, a Gold Coast family business with 12 years of experience in the farming and produce industry, selling fruit, vegetables and more at the best price.
Get tickets to that movie you’ve been dying to watch at Reading Cinemas, and if you’re with the kids, don’t leave without spending some time at iPlay, located right next to the cinemas. Offering a variety of games and redemption machines, this arcade will keep the whole family entertained for hours.
When you start getting hungry, head to the dining area and choose between fresh sushi at Sushi Break, a cosy pasta dish at Nonna’s or a family fav at Maccas. Indulge in traditional chinese delicacies at Yum Cha Cuisine, or get a nutritious juice or smoothie at Boost Juice for a quick pick-me-up.
4. Carrara Markets, Carrara
Address: Cnr Manchester Rd &, Gooding Dr, Carrara QLD 4211
Instagram: @carrara_markets
Perfect for: An eclectic outdoor market experience with the kids
Kids aren’t always the biggest fans of a shopping day, but once they step foot on Carrara Markets, they won’t want to leave. Hosting over 400 food, variety stalls and attractions, this is the largest permanent marketplace in Australia and is right in the middle of the Gold Coast.
Browse through more than 100 fashion outlets and find clothes for women, men and children, as well as shoes and accessories. Whether you’re looking for unique vintage gems, formal workwear or chic designer gear, the range of items you’ll find is massive. Swing by the jewellery stalls to shop antique pieces, piercings and wedding jewellery, or score the trendiest sunglasses at the best prices.
Keep exploring the market and you’ll find a lot more: from radio-controlled toys for the kids to second-hand books, home fragrances, Aussie souvenirs, homeware and more. There’s almost nothing you can’t find at Carrara Markets, so have fun exploring!
And what’s a market without fresh, local produce? Grab all your favourite fruit and veg at the food stalls, and don’t forget to check out the continental delis and European specialty stands.
The kids will also have a day full of activities: observing the most beautiful butterflies up close at the Butterfly House, transforming into a unicorn, tiger or superhero at the face painting stand, taking a swing at the mini-golf venue and more.
Once all your shopping is done, grab a coffee (and a well-deserved scoop of ice cream for the little ones) at one of the 15 cafes. While you’re there, why not finish the day with a refreshing dip in Broadbeach, only 15 minutes away by car? It is the Gold Coast after all, so no day is done without a dip in the water.
Shopping on the Gold Coast is an absolute must-do. The great thing about shopping centres on the Gold Coast is the huge variety of stores, layouts and specialty stores. We’ve shown you a few of our favourites today, but there are so many to discover.
If you’re a local to the Gold Coast and you’ve just found these, enjoy! If you’re from out of town, find flights to the Gold Coast with Webjet and treat yourself to some of the best shopping centres and retail destinations in Australia!
Hero image credit: Photo by Joshua Brown on Unsplash
