12 treasure-filled spots for shopping in Leura

hero media
Spend where you stay and take home something special from your mountain escape on a Leura shopping spree.

More than simply being mindful of nature, travelling responsibly also means contributing to the community you’re visiting. One of the best ways to do that is to shop local to ensure your stay uplifts the economy. Luckily, in Leura, there are plenty of places you’ll be more than happy to part with a few dollars, be they spent on stunning Indigenous artworks, beautiful gifts, fashion, books, knick-knacks, or bric-a-brac. Here’s our guide to a 60-minute shopping spree, but of course, feel free to take your time.

1. The Nook Craft Co-op

A collective of Blue Mountains artisans and makers, The Nook is the place to pick up a unique memento of your visit. From macrame plant hangers and handmade pottery to silk scarves and silver trinkets as well as fashion and homewares, the handiwork here is of a beautifully high standard, making it difficult to talk yourself out of a purchase.

2. Gifts on the Mall Leura

In the centre of the village, this giftware store beckons browsing with its colourful curation of everything from books to homewares, fashion and just about anything else you didn’t know you wanted. It’s a Leura must-stop and perfect for a potter before you take a seat for lunch in town.

outside signage at Gifts on the Mall Leura
Find unique gift items at Gifts on the Mall Leura.

3. Megalong Books

Peruse the shelves of this independent bookstore to find the ideal fireside read for cosy evenings in your Airbnb cottage. It’s also the place to go for all things Blue Mountains, from maps and trail guides to books on endemic flora and fauna, and the fascinating history of the region.

books on display inside Megalong Books, Leura
Score your next great read at Megalong Books.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

4. Bilingarra

Wiradjuri artist Brett Groves is the founder and creator of Bilingarra Indigenous Art and Culture in Leura, where you can view his incredible works and even join an art workshop. But more than simply a place to admire and shop Brett’s pieces, Bilingarra is a place designed to share the complex beauty of Indigenous culture and to retell the history of First Nations people. It’s a must-stop on any Leura shop hop.

5. Leura Vintage

For those who love to fossick for pre-loved fashion, there’s no better place to unearth a treasure than at this much-adored Leura store. Dress for the era you were meant to be in with the collection of apparel spanning all the way back to the Victorian and Edwardian period. From intricate, antique pieces of the 1800s to the bold patterns and short hemlines of the swinging ’60s, you’ll find something you simply must try on.

mannequins wearing dresses on display
Find a pre-loved gem at Leura Vintage.

6. Maharani Boutique

It’s all about bold prints and bold colours at Maharani Boutique which stocks labels from the Spanish Desigual to the travel-inspired Australian label Ruby Yaya. Sourcing natural fibres and ethical brands, the store is akin to opening a dress-up box and finding something fabulous to put on.

items display at Maharani Boutique
Pick a dress to put on from Maharani Boutique.

7. The Candy Store

Sweet tooths and children won’t be able to bypass this Leura lolly shop that stocks a brightly coloured collection of confectionaries from around the world. From humbugs to Hubba Bubba and Jolly Rancher to Junior Mints, it’s a sugar rush waiting to happen. Even if you’re not a candy crusher, you’ll find the variety and novelty of these international treats entirely fascinating.

8. Teddy Sinclair

Leather up at this unmissable Leura shop that sells all manner of leather goods, from travel bags to jackets, handbags and shoes. While catering to both men and women, there’s also a man cave in store, where you can pick up everything from grooming kits to bottle openers. The lovely scent of high-quality leather is a welcome companion as you browse the collection at Teddy Sinclair.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

9. Zoe Clare

An in-store styling service sets Zoe Clare apart, as it aims to help women feel confident and beautiful with its range of high-quality clothing. Keeping to a curation of elegant and sustainable labels with classic cuts to fit a range of shapes and ages, the racks are hung with timeless pieces that will become wardrobe staples.

a model wearing Mirabella Dress Cobalt at Zoe Clare
Check out Zoe Clare’s timeless pieces.

10. My Friend Alice

Shop beautiful, hand-picked pieces made with natural fibres of wool, cotton, silk and linen at My Friend Alice, a must-visit Leura boutique. From bright prints to understated minimal tones, dressing up to dressing down, there’s something here that’s set to be on high rotation in your wardrobe.

11. Moontree

For those who love a flickering flame and scented ambience, don’t miss a visit to Moontree, where you’ll find a huge range of candles and other collectibles. From their eponymous label to Ecoya, Urban Rituelle and Apsley Luxury Candles, as well as homewares, Christmas decorations and body products, this is a one-stop shop for wellbeing and home decor. You’ll also find Moontree founder and local artist Kate Soady’s beautiful, native flora-inspired works on display and available to purchase.

Shopfront of Moontree in Leura
Treat yourself to a candle at Moontree. (Image: Destination NSW)

12. Leura Gourmet

Pause to refuel for your shopping spree with a stop at Leura Gourmet, where you can take on necessary calories and caffeine to keep up the retail trail, while also collecting more goodies. Here you’ll find all kinds of delicious delights to add to cart, from spices and condiments to sweet treats, pickles and preserves.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
View profile and articles
hero media

The secret Sydney suite life: a luxury under-the-radar stay right on the harbour

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

    Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

    All-inclusive VIP benefits

    Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

    Pier One Sydney Harbour

    Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)

    The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

    If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

    Pier One Suites

    Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite
    Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

    Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

    United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

    But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

    Dining at Pier One

    Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

    Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

    PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

    Around town

    luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge
    Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

    You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

    Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

    Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.com.au