Recently relocated to Sydney or even visiting Sydney for the first time and would like to know of some great places for heavily marked down fashion and home ware stores? This article is designed to help you grab some fantastic bargains when you visit Sydney, Australia.
1. Direct Factory Outlets (DFO)
One of the favourite places for Sydney-siders to get bargains and fashion highs. It is located in Homebush (next to Sydney Olympic Park). Trading hours are from 10AM to 6PM daily. The best time to visit DFO is during the week when there is plenty of parking within the complex. It is a good idea to try to avoid shopping at DFO on the weekends as it gets very crowded and parking is quite difficult to source during those periods.
What you will find at DFO:
Lingerie (Bendon, Elle MacPherson and etc)
Sporting apparel (Converse, Puma and etc)
Fashion chain stores (French Connection, Witchery, Marcs and etc)
Home wares (Royal Doulton, Sheridan and etc)
Surf brands (Billabong, QuickSilver)
Kids
Shoes (Nine West, Windsor Smith, Wanted and etc)
2. Red Yard Entertainment Centre (100 Parramatta Road Auburn)
Auburn seems like miles away especially for those who live across the bridge or even those from the Eastern Suburbs. However, it is full of treasures and gems for those die-hard bargainistas. 100 Parramatta Road is a place to go to if you are after anything to do with Sports and the easiest way of getting there is by car via the M4 motorway and exit at Silverwater Road.
This part of Auburn has everything to offer - from apparel to footwear to casual wear and sporting equipment. There's plenty of parking and the following outlets are located within the complex:
Rebel Sports Discount Outlet
SportsCo
Kathmandu
Bendon, Berlei and Bonds Outlet
Pumpkin Patch
Freddy's Fishing World
The bargains do not just stop inside the Red Yard Entertainment Centre. If you are keen for more gems, some 100 steps will bring you to the following places:
Adidas Factory Outlet - directly across Parramatta Road
Nike Factory Outlet - 126 Parramatta Road, which is 2 minutes walk towards the West, from Adidas
These shops often have juicy reductions. For example, Nike often offers specials such as buy one pair of footwear and get the 2nd pair at 50% off.
3. Birkenhead Point
Beautiful Birkenhead Point
This has to be the most picturesque factory outlet ever! Located at the entrance of Iron Cove Bay and situated adjacent to Parramatta River, this is probably one of the few malls that you can get to via boat! Birkenhead Point is almost the same as DFO but a classier version. Designer labels such as Burberry and Allannah Hill have their outlet stores located within this shopping haven. It is worth setting aside a day to shop.
4. Peter's of Kensington
Peter's, Peter's, Peter's. The beauty of with Peter's of Kensington is that they are conveniently located online and at 57 Anzac Parade in Kensington, this store is the place to go to if you are after good quality pots, pans, home wares, bathroom accessories, cutlery, home ware and the list goes on. This is the place to go to for quality home wares such as Circulon and Scanpan.Products are often at least 50% cheaper than your major department stores. If you shop during Peter's sale period, you can find bargains up to 70% off!
5. Market City
Located in the hub of Sydney's Chinatown, Market City is a great place for finding bargains from stores such as Esprit, Mambo, Cue,Marcs and etc. The best days to visit Market City will be between Thursday to Sunday as Paddy's market trades during those days. The shops within the Market City building are all fixed price shops. However, some bargaining can happen at Paddy's (located in the basement of Market City). Most people come here for non-brand name Ugg boots, sheep skin and tonnes of other souvenirs. A fresh fruits and vegetables market is also conveniently located within Paddy's.