Head to leafy Collins Street for high- end jewellery, fashion and luxury goods at flagship stores including Chanel, Tiffany & Co and Louis Vuitton. A more relaxed shopping style can be found further west in the middle section of Collins Street between Swanston and Elizabeth streets, where the bustling retail centres known as two3four and Australia on Collins house many chain and concept stores. Little Collins Street is where the city's streetwise head to shop. You'll find some of Melbourne's best designers and boutiques here, and the stretch between Swanston and Russell streets is lined with the best in menswear. Flinders Lane is the shopping destination for the hip and happening.

The stretch between Swanston and Elizabeth streets is lined with distinctly Melbourne boutiques like Christine (selling fashion and accessories) and Alice Euphemia (experimental designs by young and emerging designers), and it's just a few steps to Cathedral Arcade (edgy fashion) and the Nicholas Building(shops, galleries and studios). Melbourne Central on the corner of Swanston and Lonsdale streets is great for trendy boutiques. Here you will find Australia's first flagship stores for Carhartt, G-Star and Tommy Hilfiger.

The Southgate complex and Crown Casino are known for their eclectic mix of shops including luxury lingerie, perfume and fashion stores such as Versace, Gucci, Armani and Prada. Chapel Street in South Yarra is lined with trendy shops selling cutting edge fashion, funky homeware and inspiring gifts. It's also home to top Australian designers like Scanlan & Theodore, Colette Dinniganand Bettina Liano. The more adventurous can make a detour to Greville Street (just off Chapel Street in Prahran) for offbeat retro clothing and street wear.