Mountain Gate Op Shop is home to the sweetest people around. Run by volunteers it is a place people…read moredrop by just to have a chat and say hello, let alone for the shopping. The tiny shop is packed full of donations with everything from old leather jackets, children's toys, accessories, shoes, bags and socks to 50 cent books. The prices here are fantastic and I've picked up fantastic pieces here for less than a dollar or two. Despite the very low prices they often have sales. If you can afford to, try to leave a donation each time you shop there, the people who run it will really appreciate it. The shop itself is a little bit smelly, as most donation-fuelled Op Shops tend to be. Otherwise it is clean enough. I would recommend washing anything you buy at home before wearing it - just to make it smell nice again, but the clothes on offer here are great. They are open Monday - Friday from 10-3 and on Weekends from 10-1. Pay them a visit today.

This shop is always worth a visit when dropping in at Mountain Gate. Run by volunteers, it's one of…read morethe cheapest charity stores around. Other opportunity shops out some ridiculous prices on their donated items. It's small and a little cluttered but that's the nature of op shops. It's run by lovely people too.

This mothercare is a families dream come true. An entire…read morestore dedicated to pregnancy and early childhood. This store sells everything from maternity wear, to baby/kids wear, toys, prams, car seats, bottles, nursing pads, monitors, the list goes on. Conveniently located in chadstone shopping center, this mothercare isn't a huge store- but everything that should be there, is. The staff are very polite and friendly, and usually know exactly what you're after. There are also sales that seem to be constantly on, so the prices there are pretty good considering the quality of the products. My favorite items here are the children's toys, they sell a wide variety that you wouldn't find in an ordinary toy shop such as 'toy r us'. Mothercare is generally my one stop shop for all things baby. I hardly ever go in and leave empty handed. Definitely suggest visiting if you haven't before- good quality products at affordable prices. They also have a loyalty card system.

Melbournalia is a souvenir shop that sells stuff people will actually like. This news is the good…read morekind of shocking. I'm a fan of gift giving, but souvenir shopping is such a chore. It takes forever and there's a good chance that the recipient will be polite but never use it, or you'll buy something that's more gag-gift than keepsake. What bugs me even more is when you see the same damn souvenirs relabelled in every country you go to. The wares at Melbournalia are different. They sell well thought out items from local Melbourne designers, with just the right hint of local charm (trams, postcode designs, aussie animals). You wouldn't have to have a foreigner in mind to buy something here either. They sell the kind of stuff you could have in your own house without it being embarrassingly ironic. Cute+

Bourke Hill based Melbournalia carries all manner of Melbourne-themed (and Melbourne-made!) goods…read more From local rooftop honey and tea towels to tram t-shirts and kids books, this small shop pretty much corners the market on local gifts. A wise stop if you want something to remember your trip to Melbourne, or want to send a gift to a homesick Melburnian living abroad.

I spent way too much time here today, but the deals were just too good!…read more A few things.... - It's charity. The money you spend goes out to those in need. I can help others by shopping? Sure! Why not?!?! - Good deals! Seriously. This week they a few things going on. It's buy 2 items, get the third item (of equal or lesser value) free. This is for any items! Jewelry, clothes, bags, dinnerware, etc. And, a bag of books are only $10. - Friendly service. They have the nicest and friendliest employees here! Wait, can I call them employees? I'm sure they're all volunteer workers. Either way, they have been the most helpful people I have ever encountered whilst shopping. To note... - The clothes are arranged by color and not sizes. - Make sure you get a loyalty card. For every $10 you spend, you get a sticker. After so many, you get a discount off a purchase. - If the clothes in the front aren't cheap enough for you, they have a clearance rack at the back with $5 items. Are you still reading this? What are you waiting for??? Gooooooooooooooooooo! :)

Friendly staff, huge store, packed rails but not so packed that you can't actually see any of the…read moreclothes. Prices are reasonable and the selection of books is massive. Definite potential for the best Op Shop in Melbourne.

The Discount Clearance Centre on Mahoneys road just opposite Forest Hill Chase is huge. They have a…read morelarge range of privately sourced stock that is on sale for generously discounted prices. While I was there I saw almost twenty couches, beds, bicylces, a few coffee tables and a variety of home decor items. It seems to be a family run business and they are so new to the area that they are yet to set up a phone line. The people I spoke to there were absolutely lovely and were super helpful when it came to answering my questions. Whilst they are still setting up, I can hedge a bet that this store is going to be quite good. Stock changes regularly and they have a sale board out the front where they write up a bargain of the day. Keep your eyes peeled on this one.

I live in a "little old lady" style house with bright green tiles, wispy white curtains and a…read moredoorbell loud enough to make your hair curly. I love the retro look and feel and so naturally a great proportion of my furniture could be filed under the "little old lady" category. Hence my frequent visits to the Lost and Found Market. Here you will find everything from 1950s mirrors to big, boofy prom dresses to Ken Done place mats and coasters. The Lost and Found Market has everything. I go at least once a month to see what is new (they have rotating stalls) even when I am not looking for anything specific. While I admire their furniture the most (think stunning 70s Danish furniture) it is not something I believe I will ever be able to afford *sobs* but damn is it nice to look at. While they do have an extensive clothing section, I personally believe the Lost and Found Market excels more in the bric-a-brac and glassware areas. If you're looking to pimp your home bar, this is the place to be. They are only open on Saturdays and Sundays but the huge warehouse style means there's always something to find. You could honestly spend a good hour in here.

I like to think that this gigantic vintage store was named after the Elliott Smith song of - almost…read more- the same name. But without the subtext of misery and unrequited love. There is nothing miserable about this bona fide Brunswick vintage Mecca. For Lost & Found Market is one of the most lovable vintage stores in Melbourne, stocking an incredible range of vintage clothes, shoes, accessories, furniture, lighting and art from a characterful shop on Brunswick East's Lygon Street. I've only just discovered Lost & Found Market but it is already my favourite Melbourne vintage shop. And with good reason. Firstly, prices. I don't want to say this for fear of tempting fate - or price increases - but Lost & Found is literally bargainous. Secondly, selection. I've noticed a worrying trend for Melbourne's vintage shops to only really stock clothes from the disco and power suit eras to the detriment of the wardrobes of us Art Deco, fifties and sixties loving gals. Not Lost & Found. I walked away from Lost & Found Market with a ditty little sixties lace cocktail dress for a mere $55 and will no doubt return soon to look for more treasure. In the words of Elliott Smith 'I'm in love'.

This eclectic home ware and gift store in Doncaster Westfield is a charity shop specializing in…read morefair trade products. For home wares, toys, music and accessories from around the world the Oxfam shop has a great range. This store supports developing counties and family run businesses which is why I like to support them. I shop here for Fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and oil as well as unique cooking and serving home wares. And then there is the interesting range of bags, scarves and accessories. However they also have interesting children's toys, world music Cd's and gift and cards. Oxfam Shop is a great source of unusual gifts or just something different, the staff are friendly and are happy to chat to you about their products. If your looking for an alternative to the usual Christmas present options I would suggest a visit to Oxfam.

At the end of my long trip Down Under I had to stop in for the obligatory souvenir stop for my…read morenieces and nephews. A lot of these stores can be kitschy and not great but I have to say Ozland was pretty awesome. Helped me figure out what would work well, gave me some great prices, and managed to wait on me despite having quite a few other customers in the store.