9 Best Shopping in Adelaide, South Australia

One of the largest produce markets in the southern hemisphere, and Adelaide's pride and joy, the Central Market is chock-full of stellar local foods, including glistening-fresh fish, meat, crusty Vietnamese and Continental breads, German baked goods, cheeses of every shape and color, and old-fashioned lollies (candy). You can also buy souvenir T-shirts, CDs, books, cut flowers, and a great cup of coffee.

Ask anyone who no longer lives in Adelaide what they miss most about the city and chances are they'll say "Haigh's." Australia's oldest chocolate manufacturer has tempted sweet tooths with corner shop displays since 1915, and although there are now Haigh's stores in several locations across the city and in other capitals, the Beehive Corner store is the original, and a local icon. The family-owned South Australian company produces exquisite truffles, pralines, and creams—as well as the chocolate bilby (an endangered Australian marsupial), Haigh's answer to the Easter bunny. No trip to Adelaide is complete without at least one chocolate indulgence.

Free chocolate-making tours at the Haigh's Visitor Center at 154 Greenhill Road in Parkside run Monday through Saturday beginning at 9 am. Bookings are essential.

A contemporary craft-and-design center at the Lion Arts Centre, JamFactory exhibits and sells unique Australian glassware, ceramics, wood, and metal work and you can often see the artists at work. Its fantastic gift shop is the place to pick up a unique handmade piece of art or jewelry, including a description from the artist.

Adelaide's main shopping area is Rundle Mall, a pedestrian plaza lined with boutiques, department stores, and arcades, including Australia's two best-known stores, Myer and David Jones, as well as some of the world's big name and luxury brands sprinkled among the local shops. People of all ages hang out on the mall, relaxing on a bench or browsing the shops. Heritage-listed Adelaide Arcade is a Victorian-era jewel, with a decorative tiled floor, skylights, and dozens of shops behind huge timber-framed windows.

Located just off Rundle Mall, the exchange sells high-quality new and antique jewelry. They can also be found in Glenelg, Mitcham, and Modbury.

One of Australia's leading opal merchants, wholesalers, exporters, and manufacturing jewelers, Australian Opal and Diamond Collection sells superb handcrafted one-of-a-kind opal jewelry.

For discount shopping, hop off the plane and head straight to nearby Harbourtown. You'll find Nine West, Hurley, Levi's, Oakley, Cue, RM Williams, Adidas, and Bonds among the 100 outlets.

For quirky locally made jewelry, pottery, glass, and sculptures, visit Urban Cow Studio, which exhibits works by more than 150 South Australian artists and designers.

Adelaide's largest shopping complex is easily accessible via public transport and contains more than 300 stores, including major department stores and boutiques, bars, restaurants, and the largest cinema complex in the state. Good air-conditioning means it's crowded on hot summer days.