Welcome to part two of our blog series looking at the top shopping destinations in Auckland! In this edition, we delve in to two different types of shopping budgets and the hidden side streets of Queen Street!
Onehunga
For those like me that sometimes need to shop on a budget, Onehunga will be a paradise for you. Located here is arguably one of the country’s biggest and best outlet malls that feature all the big-brand names from Barkers, Overland, Glassons and more. This mall is filled to the brim with discounted outlet stores that will please all fashion-forward people, and includes a food court for when spending all your hard-earned cash works up an appetite!
Also located in Onehunga is Auckland’s most famous second-hand bookstores: Hard To Find. This famous store is packed to the brim with rare and collectable books to common and affordable paperbacks, with over five hundred thousand books in their depository. Located in a Vintage two-story house, the experience alone of exploring this shop is worth the visit.
Britomart
On the opposite end of the affordability scale, we have Britomart. Located at the bottom of Queen street near the Warf, this shopping inlet is packed to the brim with designer boutiques, award-winning eateries, and classy bars. You’ll find some of New Zealand’s top designer brands located here including Karen Walker, Katherine Wilson, Juliette Hogan, and Taylor as well as hot international brands such as M.A.C Cosmetics, Lululemon, Ted Baker, and Chanel.
But it’s not all boutique shopping here, Britomart has made a name for itself with its exquisite eateries and bars that can please all pallets. Including the hidden New York style bar Caretaker, Ortolana a chic casual dining experience, Milse a dessert restaurant with mouth-watering treats and L’assiette, a little French café with a lot of flavor.
Queen Street
Queen Street is considered the heart of the city for its busy footpaths and many hidden alleyways packed to the brim with stores to explore. One of these such streets is High Street which features an array of top designer brands for both men and women. This tiny one-way street dedicated to everything a man needs for business and pleasure including two suit shops (Barkers and Crane Brother), a classic close shave barber, and a decent shoe shop (Merchant Man). But don’t fret ladies, there is plenty of shops for you to explore as well, including Ricochet, Ruby, Decjuba and Untouched World.
Federal and Elliot streets also connect off Queen Street and offer a more relaxing experience if you are looking to unwind while on holiday. This includes the East Day Spa and Bliss Reflexology which both offer massages and new ways to relax, leaving you refreshed for the rest of your visit!
