Sydney International showcases Australia


Lots of changes are taking place at the airport and a revamp of T1 by 2010 is expected to add a new layer to the pleasant existing retail experience

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Sydney’s Terminal 1 is the gateway to Australia Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport might dispute this • the cities are rivals at every level • but with more than 10 million passing through this terminal alone last year, it dwarfs Melbourne’s 4.8 million international passengers. Both airport last year recorded rises in their passenger numbers, an indicator that, despite being so far from anywhere, Australia remains an enticing destination, whether or not you watch Neighbours or Home & Away.

As part of a redevelopment of Sydney Kingsford Smith airport costing A$500 million, is a new shopping arena which will be called The Forum where top fashion houses plus other luxury players in jewellery and watches and fine dining are now being lured by the airport management. International names like Burberry and Giorgio Armani have signed up to the location as have some local Aussie brands including Australian icons like bootmaker RM Williams • already present in T1 • and Rodd & Gunn. The first Lonely Planet concept store will also open here this summer.

In the meantime there are many shopping options in place right now. Among the most exciting is Rainbow Serpent which features authentic Aboriginal art and crafts including some works, that are unique to this location. For example, artist Phillip Hall’s traditional Dreamtime-style paintings of native wildlife are sold here exclusively.

Also worth seeking out are Purely Australian’s two stores which only carry Aussie clothing and which are focused on natural materials such as homegrown cotton and pure new wool. If you are looking for even finer wool clothing then Purely Merino is a showcase for merino wool and wool blends plus sheepskin products as well as some footwear and gifts for the home. Surfer dudes and wannabes are catered for thanks to the Beach Culture store (there is also one in T2) which carries a range of lifestyle brands including Billabong, Element, Havaianas, Nixon, Oakley and Von Zipper.

And if you are as mad about sports like cricket and football as the Aussies themselves, Sports Arena has quite a selection of memorabilia from Wallabies jerseys and All Black and AFL kit • including team balls by Sherrin and Summit • to various Cricket Australia items. And if you really want to show it all off, pick up a pair of Speedo swimming trunks, a home-grown and now global swim brand.

In line with the Aussie tendency to shorten every word, where possible, to a single syllable, the main tax- and duty-free stores are called Syd and carry the full assortment of liquor, tobacoo, perfume and cosmetics products you might want. Watches, sunglasses and technology can also be found here.

The best way to decide on the best deals is to go online here: http://www.sydneyairportshopping.syddutyfree.com/default.aspx and see the latest offers nearer to your flight dates.

For those of you travelling around Australia you will probably find yourself in T2 which handles domestic flights. Here the retailing has just been upgraded and offers a large selection of 47 stores. They include newcomers such as Pandora jewellery from Denmark, as well as trendy fashion retailer Global Rags selling jeanswear and leisure clothing, and Bonds •made famous by tennis star Pat Rafter and super model Sarah Murdoch • which sells street casual clothes from track suits and hoodies, to comfy undies.

Souvenir hunters have a lot to choose from but Around Australia and Sydney & Beyond are your best bet selling an array of gfts from locally made jewellery, food and confectionery, to apparel, luggage, soft toys and even cricket memorablia. Don’t leave without a cuddly koala in your backpack!

For full detail of the airport’s store visit the very comprehensive and regularly updated http://www.sydneyairportshopping.com.au site.

Sydney International Factfile

Passengers 32.9 million in 2008.
Terminals 3 in use with a fourth available.
Main retail areas airside concourses in T1 and T2
Key airlines:
Terminal 1: Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Air New Zealand.
Terminal 2: Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Regional Express Airlines, T3: QantasLink