Sydney is a big city shopping experience. When you look around at what’s on offer you’ll know why Sydney is known as one of the world’s best cities to shop. There’s everything from gorgeous boutiques and funky one-off shops, to sleek new shopping malls and colourful neighbourhood markets.

Explore the city centre with stylish department stores, specialty boutiques and historic arcades. Venture down bustling Oxford Street in Paddington, also known as the city’s “style mile." Get a feel for local street fashion at one-off designer shops in Darlinghurst or combine your shopping with a dash of history when browsing through the art galleries and jewellery stores of The Rocks.

Head to Bondi, the beachwear mecca, to find the latest surf brand styles, and at the weekend, make your way to the suburbs close to the city that come alive with their markets. Pick up a unique piece created by one of the fashion designers of tomorrow at Paddington, while Balmain, Bondi and Kirribilli offer a great mix of art, jewellery, flash trash and tasty goodies.

The nexus of Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and Paddington around Oxford Street is the city’s high-end and hip shopping collective. Crown Street, Surry Hills is cool-central, home to great eating, homeware shops and vintage clothing while one of Paddington’s lesser-known shopping highlights is the William Street row of boutiques off Oxford. Nearby Queen Street in Woollahra houses the city’s top antiques stores and more.

Apart from the international labels and Aussie souvenirs found at The Rocks and the trove of fashion finds at The Strand Arcade, the top shopping spots in the city are the Queen Victoria Building (QVB), the Strand Arcade, David Jones and Myer - as popular with locals as they are with tourists.

For the likes of Paul & Joe, Commes des Garcons and other ultra-expensive, ultra-chic European labels, Double Bay, and stores such as Christensen Copenhagen and Belinda are the places to be.

For mall-rats, the new, super-deluxe Westfield Bondi Junction represents a new high-water mark for all-in-one shopping centres.

For all things indie, it’s got to be Newtown (and Enmore), whether it’s hair extensions, retro furniture, up-and-coming designers, wholefoods or independent films and music, King Street is King.

For all your toys, magazines or other accessories, head on down to the many sex shops conveniently located in Oxford Street, Darlinghurst or King Street Newtown.

For hot surf fashion check out Bondi’s Bikini Island for Zimmerman, Jets, Seafolly and Tigerlily.

For luxury brands such as Chanel, Gucci and Cartier head for Castlereagh Street in the city.