Sydney: Sydney bargain shopping

One of the best things about shopping in Sydney is that savvy shoppers can rack up a bargain - or 10 - at the range of factory outlets and markets on offer.

Although you can find factory outlets and discount stores all over Sydney, there are three main centres where you'll find a wide selection of mainstream outlet stores: Birkenhead Point, DFO and Market City. 

Birkenhead Point

Birkenhead Point is a shopping centre dedicated solely to factory outlets. Here you'll mainly find discontinued lines and unsold stock from retail stores - as opposed to seconds or damaged goods - all at discount prices. Along with the popular David Jones factory outlet, you'll find Spotlight (haberdashery), Wedgewood and Royal Doulton (fine china), and even a pet centre. There are also clothing stores for men, women and kids such as Cue, Esprit, Witchery, Oxford, Plot, Country Road and OshKosh B'Gosh.

DFO

At DFO Homebush you'll find 90 big name brands all under the one roof. There's ladies and men's fashion, children's wear, footwear, handbags and luggage, homewares, lingerie and jewellery and more. There's also food, cafes and juice bars.

Market City

Nearer to the CBD, the second level of Market City at Haymarket is also dedicated to factory outlets and includes most mainstream fashion stores, as well as younger labels like Hound Dog and General Pants.

Most of your favourite fashion and manchester brands are bound to have factory outlets. If you can't find them in any of the shopping centres above, just call the store's head office and ask if they have a dedicated discount outlet. While we've included details of several shops here, there are many outlets dotted all over Sydney, so if you're looking for something in particular, let your fingers do the walking and ring them.

Parklea and Paddy's Markets

Apart from factory outlets, another great place to score a bargain is at one of the many markets around Sydney. For clothes and general items - everything from computer games to car accessories - Parklea Markets and Paddy's Market each has about 1,000 stalls to choose from. Paddy's has two locations - one closer to the CBD at Haymarket and the other at Flemington, near the Homebush site for the Sydney Olympics.

Glebe, Surry Hills & Rozelle Markets

For lovers of trash and treasure, inner-city markets like the ones held in Glebe, Surry Hills, and Rozelle are great places to wander around.

But you have to be prepared to trawl through piles of clothes and sift through tables of bric-a-brac before scoring something that's truly antique or vintage. Hidden gems are definitely there - you just need a good eye and a lot of patience.

Blacktown Drive-In Markets

If you're after a shopping experience with a difference, try visiting a car-boot sale. Blacktown Drive-In Markets is like one giant garage sale, with vendors rolling up in their cars and selling their wares directly from their car boots, makeshift tables or rugs spread on the ground.

True bargain hunters are there as soon as the gates open at 8am.

The Sydney Swap and Sell Market

This market is similar and has about 250 stalls every Saturday. You'll find everything from old tools, electrical equipment and second-hand clothes, to the kind of things you'd normally see on the street when your council has a rubbish collection day. But remember, one person's trash is another's treasure, and you never know what you might discover.

Sydney Fresh Food Market

For fresh food that's cheaper than you'll find on special at your local supermarket, Sydney Fresh Food Market is held at Flemington every Saturday. You'll find fruit, vegetables, eggs, fish and even a few kitchen goods on offer. Bargain flowers, which are great if you're organising a party or a wedding, can also be found at Flemington for a fraction of what florists normally charge.

Finding bargains in Sydney is easy. Factory outlets and markets are a good place to start if you're keen to make your dollar go further. Apart from scoring a great deal, and saving money, the three main factory outlet shopping centres are all close to cafes and restaurants, so it's easy to make a day out of your shopping experience.

Even better is the atmosphere of the markets - ranging from groovy and frenzied to downright bizarre. But we warn you, this kind of bargain hunting is addictive. When you get hooked, you'll never want to shop at a regular store again.

All information was correct at the time of writing but may change without notice.