ACT is the new shopping capital, home to many unique boutiques and bustling markets. Here are the essential shops to spend a weekend and fill up on style.
1. Moxom and Whitney
Moxom and Whitney is a florist with an edge, producing enthusiastic organic arrangements, as well as his whimsical terrariums made on the spot, filled with all kinds of lush greenery, as well as tiny people and animals. Reserve a spot in their terrarium school to learn how to create your own little world in a glass.
2. Bisonhome
Led by creative director Brian Tunks, Bisonhome sells its ceramics and glasses in its light and airy flagship store in the conurbations of Pialligo. Rendered in a palette of rainbow colors, Bison’s beautifully crafted ceramics are tactile and organic in shape, with everything from plates to bowls to mix with serving trays, including iconic vases and tea bowls. here. It is difficult to fight against the temptation to bring one in each color.
3. Muse
An equal café, wine bar and bookstore, Muse is the latest addition to the Hip East Hotel in the trendy Kingston area. Inspired by a similar concept discovered by co-owner Paul Eldon when he lived and worked in Beijing, the bookstore, with its oak shelves and vintage Afghan kilims, has 2,000 new and used titles to browse. This can be done by having breakfast from 6.30am, lunch during the day, brunch at weekends or just a relaxing glass of red in the afternoon.
4. The Curatoreum
After you’ve finished walking among nature, admiring bonsai or watching the kids play in the totally fabulous Pod Playground, you have to visit The Curatoreum before leaving The National Arboretum. This brilliantly careful book and gift shop is filled with books, toys, homewares and jewellery, much of which I had never seen anywhere else before. A personal favorite is the lovely selection of stationery, including delightfully quirky offerings such as the Beautiful Chickens Notecards (no, seriously).
5. Old Bus Depot Markets
Held every Sunday in the old bus depot situated on the Kingston foreshore, which is getting a thoughtful makeover at the moment with lots of new apartments, restaurants, these markets have been around for over 20 years.
You’ll find fashion, jewellery, homewares, art, collectibles and food all under cover, so the show goes on no matter what the weather.
6. The Shop at the National Gallery
One of the best art gallery shops you are likely to visit, the range of The Shop at the National Gallery is vast and well organized, especially its books, which cover everything from art to fashion, going through interiors and architecture, and much more.
Popular Visas
This clear and bright space should not be relegated to a quick overview when you leave the gallery; you will want to spend a serious moment here to discover all that it has to offer (arts, crafts, diaries, newspapers, stationery, printed matter, posters, toys, games, jewelry … should we continue?).
7. Lonsdale Street
Once you’ve finished your coffee at Lonsdale Street Roasters, stroll around the neighborhood to browse fashion, books, vintage design stores, and more.
8. Canberra Centre
Large and daring and crammed with all the labels and outlets needed to be considered a true shopping destination. Canberrans flocks to the center of Canberra on weekends and spends a lot. There is a pleasant atmosphere in this location, however, with many restaurants located in and around the center and pedestrianized side streets emerging from it.
