Australians really are spoiled for choice when it comes to funky second-hand clothes stores. We’ve rounded up the best destinations across the eastern coast to satisfy all your thrifted needs and guide you in your op shop adventures.
Sydney
From the inner west across to the eastern suburbs, Sydney really has it all when it comes to op shops. Whether you want clothes, furniture or other knick knacks, there’s a thrift shop for you.
Vinnies – Newtown
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Everyone knows the inner west is a one stop destination for awesome thrift shops. The King Street Vinnies is among the more reasonably priced op shops on this strip and has endless racks to sift through. This store is great for vintage and second-hand designer finds that won’t break the bank. Newtown is well-known for trendy clothes and op shops are a massive part of this. If you’re after something specifically vintage you only have to wander down the street to check out one of the specialist stores. Be prepared to drop a lil more coin at these places.
Red Cross Shop – Randwick
Watch out inner westies, the eastern suburbs is hot on your heels! Randwick is quickly becoming an op shop hotspot, with a Vinnies next door and two Ted Noff’s stores closeby. Red Cross is a great destination for newbie op shoppers, with a more moderate amount of clothing to tackle. You can expect to find brands like Country Road and Wrangler among smaller local designers with their original tags still attached, all thanks to the donation scheme that Red Cross offers to keep new clothes out of landfill.
Noffs Op Shop – Surry Hills
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You really can’t beat an op shop where everything is $5. A definite fave among uni kids and the budget conscious, say hello to a brand new wardrobe at a fraction of the cost you’d pay new. Great for a quick look between classes or after work, the shop manages to pack in so many funky finds in such a cosy space. Plus your money is going to supporting teens and young adults with drug and alcohol abuse. Win win.
Vinnies – Paddington
This store really is a hidden treasure trove. It may look modest from the street but don’t let that fool you – the store is enormous, with basement and balcony levels. Vinnies gets a second mention in Sydney because their stuff is just so good. The Paddington store is no exception, with a huge variety of clothes, shoes, bags, furniture… you name it, they probably have it. Definitely worth setting aside some time (and money) to have a proper browse through here.
The Illawarra
Just a short scenic train ride from Sydney, these coastal thrift hubs are not to be slept on. Looking for the perfect festival outfit in time for summer? These guys have got you.
Salvos Street Boutique – Kiama
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Salvos curate the cream of the crop in donations from the Illawarra region for this store. One of very few dedicated street boutique op shops that Salvos has, there are many a hidden second-hand gem to be found here. With the main beach just a street over, they’ll have you covered if you’ve left your beachy coverall at home.
Vinnies – Kiama
As one of the longest standing op shops in Kiama, Vinnies is an awesome place to find funky beach and street wear. The volunteers here are also some of the nicest people on the planet. If vintage knick knacks are your thing, you will love their mirrored shelved stacked with goodies. If you visit in early March you’ll also be treated to some live music while you browse, with musicians from the Jazz and Blues Festival roaming the main street of Kiama.
Wollongong – Salvos
You’ll have a hard time missing this Salvos, painted in bright blue and red. With heaps of space to have a squiz at everything from couches to earrings, good luck going home empty handed. The party shirts and other funky clothes on offer will have you looking fly for the summer of music festivals ahead.
Canberra
There’s more to the nation’s capital than Questacon and Floriade – a tonne of op shops await you and they are seriously worth a visit. With some of the best cafes in the country to keep you caffeinated for your thrifting adventures, this is an op shopping destination you’ll want to visit.
Salvos – Fyshwick
One of the biggest op shops in Canberra, this Salvos has a huge range of clothing, furniture and other stuff on offer. An op shoppers dream, you could easily spend hours poring over the endless racks of clothing. For a quick fix of quality second-hand finds, the store has a mini-street boutique section at the front of the store with their top notch donations.
Red Cross Shop – Woden
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Just like the Randwick (Sydney) store, Woden’s Red Cross Shop is full of clothing that often hasn’t even been pre-loved yet. It’s a super spacious store with heaps of mirror space to admire yourself in second-hand finds. If this store doesn’t satisfy your thrifting needs, Vinnies, Salvos and Anglicare op shops await just a suburb over.
The Green Shed – Civic
Ask any Canberran about the Green Shed and I guarantee they’ll have a thrifting adventure story to go with it. The proper vintage furniture and knick knack finds can be found in their store on City Walk. Venture a lil further around the corner and you’ll find their hidden gem – the Underground store. Just down the stairs is a huuuuge variety of clothes, bags, shoes… anything and everything. There are a tonne of quality second-hand gems to be found and it is the destination for great costumes.
Melbourne
Let’s be real, when you think trendy second-hand outfits, Melbs is the first place that springs to mind. The place is bursting with thrifted inspiration and a tonne of stores to let you go nuts with it.
Salvos – Cheltenham and Hampton
For NSW natives, Salvos rolls with a slightly different brand icon in Victoria but it’s still the same Salvos you know and love. With some seriously creative shoe and hat displays, these Melbourne op shops are bound to satisfy all your thrifty needs. Just a ten minute drive from each other, clean out the car for plenty of room for the inevitable op shop haul you’ll be coming home with.
Lost and Found – Fitzroy
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Did someone say vintage warehouse? If you love retro vibes and old-school fashion this is definitely one to hit up. With over 50 stalls to peruse, you won’t have much trouble coming out with a complete new 70s inspired wardrobe (or whatever look tickles ya fancy). If clothes, accessories, bags and even instruments from eras gone by are your thing, this is the ultimate destination.
Check out our other article here for more Melbourne thrift destinations!
