Paddington is renowned for its fashionable lifestyle, boutiques and specialty shopping - follow Oxford Street all the way to Woollahra for young designers, homewares, accessories, good bookshops.

Paddington has Sydney's largest selection of Antique, secondhand and new bookstores specialising in the fields of literature, classics, the arts, juvenilia, travel, private press, limited editions and Australiana. Berkelouw Books, Bibliophile Books, and Ariel just to name a few.

Paddington Bazaar Every Saturday from 9am till 4pm. From Sullivans, turn right and take a 10-minute walk up Oxford Street. Like its locale, Paddington Bazaar has become gentrified. The crowd at Paddington is cool and colourful. The markets feature 250 stalls devoted to clothing, jewellery and artists and artisans. Paintings, etchings, pottery, ceramics, frames, clocks, CD towers and wooden bowls. Moroccan and Indian brass lamps, chimes and colourful hammocks. Food wise, you can feast on good, cheap Asian food or wander across the road to one of the many pubs and cafes.

Fox Studios Showring Markets on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm. A colourful bazaar where you will find everything from movie memorabilia to retro furniture, collectables to curios, books to antiques. Wednesday is Growers' market in the Showring. Bent Street at Fox Studios, is a vibrant, bustling street of restaurants, cafes, bars, specialty stores, live entertainment and 16 cinemas.

Sydney's Central Business District is a shopper`s paradise, with everything from our best home grown designers and the world`s leading fashion houses to market stalls. You`ll find some of Sydney`s best shopping arcades, department stores and malls. Start at the beautifully restored Queen Victoria Building with over 180 shops on four levels. Then wander down Pitt Street mall where you will find the new Grace Bros store, Sydney Central Plaza, Strand Arcade, and most of the city`s shopping centres. Let yourself go at the `International` end, where you will find DKNY, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Versace and Armani, between King and Markets Streets along Castlereagh and Elisabeth Streets. Chifley Plaza also houses exclusive boutiques, Tiffany`s, and a wide variety of cafes and restaurants.

David Jones, not only renowned for its fashions, but its "Food Glorious Food" department is a gourmet`s dream come true, with its fresh produce, a coffee bar and oyster bar.

Catch the lift to the top of Australia`s tallest structure, Sydney Tower, to take in the spectacular 360 views of Sydney, then browse through Centrepoint shopping centre.

Double Bay is Sydney`s ultrachic shopping centre. This exclusive suburb located on the harbour is famous for its cosmopolitan cafe society, designer shopping and European ambience. This upmarket village atmosphere, features a good choice of fashion, shoe and accessory shops, bookshops and homewares. Hat lovers will enjoy shops such as Jane Lambert.

The Rocks area has little streets with shops full of Australiana - great for souvenir hunting. The Rocks Market held each Saturday and Sunday specialises in arts and crafts.

Bondi Beach Far End of Bondi Beach at the Public School, Campbell Parade. Held every Saturday and Sunday, Bondi Beach markets is very much for the locals, beach-goers, tourists and hippies. Catch the 380 bus from across the road. About 140 stalls offering everything from second hand kitchenware, CD's, second hand and new clothing. Certainly a bargain or two to be found.

Balmain Markets Every Saturday from 8am till 4pm. In the grounds of St Andrews Stone Church, it makes a lovely setting for these markets. Catch the 380 bus to Circular Quay then a ferry across to Balmain (the market is at the top of the hill). You will find hammocks, cast-stone sculptures and Desert Images, plants, old wares, prints, photos, linen, clocks, frames, mirrors and a huge variety of foods. Prices are slightly more expensive than other markets but you will find the atmosphere friendly and fun.

Rozelle Markets at Rozelle Public School, Darling Street. Open every Saturday and Sunday. Catch the 378 to central station and then the 440 Bus to Rozelle. Rozelle would be the most difficult market to get to, but certainly worth the effort. This is the marketplace for pre-loved goods and affordable collectibles. There are about 100 stalls on a good day, selling anything from old cupboards to glasses, plates, cutlery and clothes. Most of the merchandise here is so cheap it's hard not to buy it even if you do not need it.

Glebe Markets at Glebe Public School, Glebe Point Road. Catch the 378 bus to Railway Square and then from George Street, most buses travel up to Glebe Point Road. Glebe is the market full of colour and atmosphere - About 200 stalls yield some pagan Celtic calendars, mirrors, paper lanterns and handcrafted picture frames. Lots of arts and crafts and secondhand clothes. Very New Age.

Paddy's Markets Haymarket, China Town - Open Saturdays and Sundays. Catch the 378 bus to central and then walk down to China Town. Paddy's market is a huge undercover market selling fruit and vegetables mainly souvenirs and cheaper clothing. A great place to buy all your presents.

Manly Arts and Craft Market are held every Saturday and Sunday from 10am. This is the place to visit if you are after excellence in arts and crafts. With its emphasis on quality of product and craftsmanship Manly Arts and Crafts market is gaining in reputation amongst stall holders and the general public as one of Sydney's finest.