Spending less does not have to mean sacrificing quality or style.
So, in the interest of saving money (while still looking fabulous), we're celebrating Brisbane's brilliant factory outlet stores. Now you can treat yourself or treat someone special and never pay full price again!
If you're a savvy shopper, we'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and share your tips on how to save money and where to find a bargain in Brisbane.
Direct Factory Outlets
Direct Factory Outlets (or DFOs) are Brisbane's biggest outlet sale super stores.
Each DFO has 100s of individual retail factory outlet stores, all conveniently located under the one roof. And best of all, each individual store can offer up to 70% discount off normal retail prices.
Brisbane's two DFOs are open seven days a week (with only a few exceptions per year). See the DFO - Brisbane Airport shopping hours or the DFO - Jindalee shopping hours.
A food court operates in each outlet for those who want to make a day of it, and parents' rooms are also available.
DFO - Brisbane Airport
Brisbane's original DFO, located at 1 Airport Drive, Airport Village, is easy to access from either the Gateway Motorway or the East-West Arterial Road. And don't worry about parking because the centre has over 1500 carparks that are available and free. More information about DFO Brisbane Airport.
DFO - Jindalee
The DFO outlet at 16 Amazons Place, Jindalee, has over 900 free car parking spaces and you can expect to find amazing retail discounts (up to 70% off) in over 80 of their retail outlets.
Harbour Town, Gold Coast
Harbour Town at Biggera Waters is an hour's drive south of Brisbane, heading towards the Gold Coast. It offers big brand names at bargain prices.
You can spend a whole day or a few hours bargain hunting in the open-air style mall - and of course there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to keep your energy levels up. Check the Harbour Town shopping hours for more information about Harbour Town.
Trade Secret
Trade Secret is a factory outlet well worth a visit. It offers the latest looks and fashion essentials at up to 60% less than you would normally pay at other stores. Trade Secret prides itself on supplying only quality garments and doesn't stock seconds or samples. With new stock arriving daily, this is one outlet store well worth dropping into regularly.
Trade Secret has five locations across Brisbane: Alexandra Hills, Chermside, Macgregor, Oxley and Browns Plains.
Stones Corner, Brisbane
In its hey-day Stones Corner on Logan Road, between Woolloongabba and Coorparoo, was a bargain hunter's haven for brand-name factory outlets. With the birth of the DFO outlets, however, most of the retailers moved out.
When we visited Stones Corner in November 2009, there were only a couple of brand-name factory outlets left and, sadly, many of the stores were empty. There are still plenty of cheap stores and great cafes in the area, but it's no longer the place to go for factory outlet shopping.
Shopping Centres
If you want more information about Brisbane's city and suburban shopping centres be sure to read our city shopping guide and suburban shopping guide.
