'Ello chaps! Queen…read moreStreet Mall is a marquee tourist and shopping area of downtown Brisbane. It extends from George Street to Edward Street with more than 700 retailers. Many of them include the kitschy tourist shops. NOTE: Don't assume all of the stores are the same. Some may have the very same products, but even at different prices. It's worth the while to browse around first and then actually make your purchases. Other stores include shoe stores, clothing, jewelry, and odds and ends. It does seem as though Queen Street Mall may have seen better days, although it is buzzing. It's better than a typical American shopping mall, although it is not a five star high end shopping plaza, making it very affordable for most shoppers. Reportedly there were 26 million visitors to Queen Street Mall last year. Overall I give Queen Street Mall four stars out of five.

I probably go to the Queen Street Mall too often. At some level, I feel lame for not exploring…read moreother options or areas. However, it's just too easy. It's well located and has just about everything one could want. There's food, drinks, movies, food, drinks, clothes, mobile phones, banks, etc, etc, etc. The current construction is a bit annoying, but it's hard to knock improvements being made. The result is a bit of a bottleneck with the huge crowds walking around on weekends. This is a problem when you walk faster than basically any other human in existence and are incredibly impatient. So, it's probably more of a problem just for people like me, which thankfully, I don't believe can be found in abundance. I like that there is often music and the people watching is tremendous.

The most ridiculous shopping centre layout I've been in , it was slightly better before the…read morerenovations

A part of me was going to suggest that this was a small shopping centre, but that is probably…read moreunrating this particular place somewhat namely because it does happen to be a decent size, it just doesn't happen to be anywhere near as big as some of the suburban megamalls happen to be. Mind you, having a train station underneath sort of helps it out somewhat, namely because you don't have to walk all that far to get there, but it isn't anywhere near as great as others I have visited.

The Barracks has been one of my favourite places to both eat or see a movie recently due to its…read moreconvenient location and variety of speciality stores. There is always enough parking unless of course there is a game on at Suncorp Stadium and more often that not you can get at least the first two hours free which is unique for a place so close to the city. The cinema has become more of a 18+ scene as it serves alcohol which they allow you to take into the cinema and the films are also more catered to that demographic which I find appealing. The shops here are many and varied, from a Sushi train, to Italian and Tapas restaurants to chocolatiers and ice-cream shops. There is also a sizeable coles supermarket, liquor store and a fantastic French Twist bakery and cafe which has a great atmosphere. Some of which I have reviewed in detail if you care to check them out!

I've been avoiding shopping and dining at the Barracks lately because parking here takes too much…read moreeffort. I understand that they want to exclude commuters and Caxton Street goers from their car parks but the two hour free parking does not work well for Palace cinema visitors. Most movies go for a minimum of two hours so even if you get your parking ticket validated, you'll get hit up for a $7 minimum parking fee. The last time I tried to catch Norwegian Woods at the Palace Barracks at 9pm on a Saturday evening, the car park was completely full and we ended up missing the movie trying to find a space. On a positive note, parking is less of an issue in the mornings which is great because The Chelsea and French Twist do a great breakfast. The Barracks is a bustling, modern shopping complex - great for dining and shopping but best to use public transport where possible.

We went to Timezone (my friend and I). We had a splendid time. We aura farmed by collected cards…read morefrom the wizard of oz ticket maxing machine. The staff were lovely and were always happy to help when our numerous cards got stuck. This games was esoteric and presented an ephemeral enjoyment before we left. The value was amazing, we accumulated over 1400 just from today and spent barely any money at all Overall and amazing trip and would highly recommend. Here are some photos

Great shop but worse carpark to get out...took 20 minutes to get out of carpark which as long as I…read morespent in the shops..doesn't make you want to come back to shopping centre.

Anyone who says that Brisbane lacks culture need to get their tooshes to James Street in the…read moreValley. This beautiful leafy precinct is home to countless boutiques, salons, galleries, interior design studios, cafes and restaurants. Despite being known as a more ritzy and expensive area, there are plenty of things to do on James Street on a budget such as getting a fantastic cup of coffee from Merlo, seeing an art-house film at Palace Centro cinema, or even just browsing the one off shops in the area. Even as a person who lives close by, I'm never bored on James Street. There are constantly new businesses opening in and around the precinct making it a fantastic place to meet friends or spend your day off. In the middle of 2011, James Street launched Thursday night Up Late, allowing for longer trading hours and a night time option for patrons. James Street is the perfect place to waste a beautiful, sunny Brisbane day. And if you have an interstate or international friend to impress with food, wine, shopping or culture, James Street should be a priority on the itinerary.

This is quite a really nice street. Boutique retailers, bars, and restaurants. When you do come…read morehere, you can window shop, and if you spend, prepare to spend $$$. During the day , this place has a certain humm about it. Have a really nice coffee in one of the many " nook " Cafes scattered up and down the street sitting on the foot path , people spotting, and car spotting as well. By night the place transforms , into a hustling, bustling, night spot. Quite during the week, but Friday and Saturday nights, this place goes off. From the fairy lights in the trees,gleaming Lamborghinis , Porsches, Ferraris, to the beautiful babes. The restaurants and bars, definitely worth the look. When here try , The Cru bar,6's & 7's, Gerad's bistro & bar. Bucci, The QA, Ribs and Burgers, The Yiros shop, and much, much more.

This would have to be one of the most beautifully preserved arcades in Brisbane. With it's olden…read moreday atmosphere, you'd expect the shopping there to be a little but classier, a cut above the rif-raf out on Queen Street, but I find it a bit pretentious, particularly the upper gallery. Looking in jewelery stores up there recently, I felt very alienated by icy shopkeepers. Also, there's quite a few empty stores up there which makes me think businesses might struggle up there. Down the bottom is more lively, with a lovely tea shop, selling a large range of tea pots; jewelery stores; and bridal shops. With the exception of the cheap and nasty accessory store, Colette, at the Queen Street entrance of the arcade, the shops in here require you to have money to spend (or at least pretend you have money to spend). Best not to rock up in your Havianas--it won't help things with the already snooty shop keepers.

I love this arcade, I wish every arcade in Brisbane was like this…read more The architecture has a renaissance feel about it that makes you feel like you have just stepped into old European hotel lobby or opulent castle foyer. Its the sort of place most people probably go to look and admire rather than shop but in saying that it is home to some of Brisbane's most awarded retailers especially if you are after jewelery or bridal wear. If you are looking for a unique gift or something for the person who has everything this place is your treasure trove. I particularly love looking at all the beautiful time pieces in the Vintage watch shop and pens right next door.

I love Broadway On The Mall (BOTM). It may not be as popular these days compared to the Myer Centre…read moreor even Queen St Mall, but it still has some lovely boutiques, cafes, takeaways and services located inside. The food court is located on the ground level and contains Italian, mixed-Asian, Japanese, American, Indian and even a big Coffee Club. All other stores are scattered across the 4 levels, which it is made up of. There are entrances from Queen St (where you will find Hype DC), as well as on the 1st level near the recently opened Scotch & Soda retail store. It's not very busy during the weekdays compared to the weekends. And unfortunately, there are still a number of vacant shops, which makes it look a little dreary. But overall, I still think it's a great place to shop. Just needs a little more support from Brisbanites as well as a bit of TLC from the BOTM managers.

Variety of sizes available and very much affordable. Located in the perfect area for shoppingread more

I love Big W. I like how it is conveniently placed above Woolworths. It has escalators and a lift…read moreif you have heavy bags. I wish they would make a security system so you could take their basket trolleys (which can't leave Big W) and supply you with regular trolleys to take down to Woolworths to shop there vice versa . I hate carrying bags. I had to buy a granny's trolley for this purpose. I wish they had a underground carpark or something because how are you gonna take your purchases home? I either have to walk far to my car or catch a cab from the cab rank which is thankfully nearby. There are buses and trains but the who wants to wait at a bus stop with all their things? Also buses can be unreliable. The train station is about a ten minute walk up the hill so no go for me. If they had more parking areas and let you take the basket trolleys into the food court I would buy more and heavier things. Unfortunately most things on the Big W website are unavailable to get delivered? Almost makes me wonder what's the point, except I suppose being able to see what they sell. Big store, lots of variety, good prices but not as dirt cheap as Kmart. I would give 5 stars if they didn't always run out of basket trolleys at Big W and Woolworths! Woolworths have regular metal trolleys but usually run out too with the annoying insert coin security system. I don't know how your expected to use the trolley and then catch a cab. How are you going to return the trolly to bay to get your $1/$2 back? Oh well. There are barely any lines at Big W unlike Woolworths and they have self service checkout there. Oh, and only spread over two levels, not three.

If I were a tourist, this would be disappointing. MC makes me think of the functional over the…read morestylish. The foodcourt hosts solid businesses but none of them essentially exciting. Big W sticks to the essentials (although it does have an optometrist and always brings in the Peter Morrissey range). Woolworths is pretty good for a city centre grocery store. So you get a barber, florist, optometrist, jeweler, internet booths, grog store, newsagent, chemist and large toilets. A few luxury stores are on the Edward Street frontage. This includes the Apple Store. The Shingle Inn here has bad chairs (uncomfortable and dirty) in what would otherwise be quite an ace spot to have a nice lunch. They really, really need to address that and hopefully MC will do something about it. Beware with the parking. The gates to this mall close 9pm on night shopping. There probably is a way to get to the carpark afterwards but we haven't found out how yet. Parking entrance is via Elizabeth Street. There used to be a doorway into Big W from Elizabeth Street, but these days the only entry points are from Edward and Queen Streets. The foodcourt has recently undergone a glossy revamp. The thing that gets me most, however, is despite the lovely space inside (it can't be helped if most of the shops are not very interesting) the outside is and always will be a horror to me. A large steely wedge with sturdy poles clinging onto decorative lacy patterned glass panels. Who what why where? It's so disappointing they whacked that onto the heritage building.

If you're a city worker wanting to escape the crowds, head to Macarthur Central for your weekly…read moresupplies and errands. What Macarthur Central lacks in specialty shops and boutiques, it makes up for by providing a stress free shopping experience in a central location and housing a full line Woolworths and Big W. There are a few specialty shops such as Honey Birdette and Oroton but this shopping centre focuses on covering the essentials. There's a decent newsagency, a book shop, chemist, medical centre and a JB Hi Fi where you actually have elbow room. This seems to be the place where all the ATMs like to hang out as well. ANZ, Bank of Queensland, Commonwealth, NAB, Redi ATM and Suncorp can all be found in this complex. Best of all, their food court hosts a wide variety of eating options and you can actually get a table around lunch time. Try the Hainachi here sometime for a fuss free, easy meal. NB: The opening hours refer to the shopping centre but Woolworths and Big W have extended trading hours.