With some of the biggest shopping centres in the Southern Hemisphere as well as boutique strip mall shopping, the Gold Coast is the retail therapy capital of Australia.

The Gold Coast also has late-night trading on Thursdays with the main centres open till 9pm. Some of the larger retailers like Kmart and Big W are open later each weeknight, and the myriad of restaurants nearby are also open late - check out the individual websites for more information.

Note: Gold Coast shopping centres are hard to miss because they are huge, but if you're not driving a car you can get a bus, tram or train from pretty much anywhere to any of the main centres and shopping districts.

Major Gold Coast Shopping Centres

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre

Pacific Fair is a firm favourite with a huge range of stores to satisfy all tastes and price ranges. The shopping centre received a $670 million facelift making it the fourth largest shopping centre in Australia. There are around 420 new stores with many Australian and International high end retailers setting up shop. Some of the luxury stores you can find include Louis Vuitton, GUCCI, Hermes, Bulgari, Christian Louboutin, Prada and Versace. Other major retailers include Myer, H&M, Zara, Kmart, Target and Big W. With a cinema, massive open-air seating area surrounded by water features, restaurants and a funky gourmet food court, you can spend all day here buying up a storm, window shopping or dining out in style. If you're staying in Broadbeach, it's a short walk to the centre. If you're staying in Surfers Paradise or anywhere along the light rail line, you can easily reach Pacific Fair - get off at Broadbeach South Station and walk 5 minutes to get to the Centre. Pacific Fair also offers non locals a Visitor Privilege Pass with over 90 retail offers and has a free shuttle bus service.

Centre Services:

• Concierge service - directions, transport enquiries, mobility hire, wifi
• Free Wifi
• Playrooms & Parent Rooms
• Visitor Lounge
• Mobility hire - wheelchair, motorised scooter or pram
• Currency Exchange
• Visitor Privileges Pass
• Free Shopping Shuttle - daily from 9am - 5:30pm between Main Beach and Miami. View timetable. Bookings recommended.

Robina Town Centre

Centre Services:

• Free Wifi
• Hire wheelchairs & motorised scooters
• Playrooms & Parent Rooms
• Concierge service

Harbour Town Gold Coast

Harbour Town boasts Australia's first purpose-built outlet shopping precinct in a major regional shopping centre. You can get some really great bargains from the likes of Sheraton linens, Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Oroton, Nike, and the usual stores you'd expect to see like chemists, supermarkets, and popular retail chains.  Reading Cinemas are also a favourite here featuring a Gold Class cinema and plenty of dining options open late.

Centre Services:

• Award-winning Tourism Lounge - official visitor information centre, air-conditioned meeting place and relaxation area, luggage and parcel minding, prayer room, and much more.
• Complimentary Tourist Discount Card
• Mobility hire - wheelchair, motorised scooter or pram
• Currency Exchange
• Free Tourist Shuttle - daily at 9am from Broadbeach. View timetable. Bookings essential.
• Free Wifi
• Play areas & Parent Rooms

Westfield Coomera

The newest shopping centre on the Gold Coast and built to support the ever-growing population of the northern Gold Coast region, Westfield Coomera is a modern shopping complex with over 140 retailers, fabulous dining options and quality facilities for kids and parents. Visit The Backyard for a stunning playground with water fountains, mini trampolines, slides, a grassed area and cafe for the parents. The centre boasts the usual chains like Target, Kmart, JB Hi Fi, H&M, Woolworths and Coles, plus stacks of specialty stores, beauty and wellness services, a 24/7 gym, Events Cinema and iPlay arcade. Situated near Dreamworld with direct access to Coomera Train Station, it's got everything you need in one location.

Centre Services:

• Free Wifi
• Mobility hire - wheelchair, motorised scooter or prams
• Playrooms & Parent Rooms
• Concierge service

Westfield Helensvale

Also known as Helensvale Town Centre, Westfield Helensvale is your standard centre catering to locals with over 160 stores, services and food options. Expect to find all the typical stores including Kmart, Target, Aldi, Woolworths and Coles. The centre also has an excellent playground with a kids club offering extra activities during school holiday times. The Gold Coast light rail and train line both stop near the centre making it easily accessible from the beach suburbs. 

Centre Services:

• Free Wifi
• Mobility hire - wheelchair, motorised scooter or prams
• Playrooms & Parent Rooms
• Concierge service

Marina Mirage

Australia Fair

Other Large Gold Coast Shopping Centres

Weekend Markets

The Art and Craft Markets are another popular choice and are held at Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads on alternating Sundays in the morning. 

Check out the full list of markets on the Gold Coast including when and where they are held.

Markets on the Gold Coast

Images courtesy Tourism & Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Destination Gold Coast & Getty Images