V-Flyer

As it is now only 3 weeks before our month long holiday, we are getting very excited
Apart from sightseeing etc and flying (11 flights in total), we love shopping (hubby as well!)and would be interested to hear from you lads and ladies that have been to Hong Kong, Sydney/Melbourne/Great Barrier Reef and Singapore as to what sort of souvenirs and best buys that would be allowable back to the UK. Bearing in mind that customs are very strict here and there, we would hate to bring back the wrong things. We have 3 'oldies', 4 grankids and 5 grown up kids to think of!!!!. So apart from probably buying an extra case on the way back are there things we could/should consider buying.

Anna

Hong Kong has some "famous " street markets - great for bits of tat (Dragonbaby has bought loads of stuff- clothes, jewellery, purses, bags etc etc) and several modern malls full of expensive homogonised chains that cater for the cruise liners.
Australia IMHO is not a shopping hotspot (my only criticism of this fabulous country ). . On our last trip back in June just about the only thing I had bought was wine (which wasn't a problem with the more than generous baggage allowance) .
The Queen Victoria market in Melbourne is full of souvenir type stuff as is Paddy's market in Sydney. Melbourne has some beautiful Victorian arcades and has some nice individual shops.
Port Douglas (from where you'll probably leave on your way out to the reef) has some quirky more "boutique" type shops.
DL

Thank you DragonLady. It looks as if I may have to stick to buying a few mini boomerangs and fridge magnets from Sydney!
Would you happen to know whether alcohol is expensive to buy in Hong Kong?

Anna

There is fairly decent 'unique item' shopping in Cairns. Get away from the main tourist street and head toward the older area of town.

Dunk Island (south of Cairns) is top notch if you have the opportunity to visit. Be sure to gather some of their famous blue butterfly items. I don't recall the proper name for the butterfly but they are unique and beautiful.

Caveat: all above from a dedicated non-shopper other than for the grandkids!

DAEDALUSNJ wrote:There is fairly decent 'unique item' shopping in Cairns. Get away from the main tourist street and head toward the older area of town.

Dunk Island (south of Cairns) is top notch if you have the opportunity to visit. Be sure to gather some of their famous blue butterfly items. I don't recall the proper name for the butterfly but they are unique and beautiful.

Caveat: all above from a dedicated non-shopper other than for the grandkids!

That sounds very interesting, thanks for that.

Anna