Leura shopping guide: the best treasure-filled spots

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 local artworks, beautiful gifts, fashion, books, knick-knacks or bric-a-brac.

Shopping is one of our favourite things to do in Leura, so here’s our guide to a 60-minute shopping spree, but of course, feel free to take your time.

In short

If you only have time to visit one Leura shop, make it Leura Cabinet of Curiosities to find your own memento from the mountains.

1. The Nook Craft Co-op

ceramic mugs at The Nook Craft Co-op — Ceramic mugs by Elizabeth Rose. (Credit: 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.

Address: 133A Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

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.

Address: 134a Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

3. 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 an adjacent men’s 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.

Address: 177 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

4. Megalong Books

Megalong Books, Leura Mall — Score your next great read at 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.

Address: 183 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

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5. 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.

Address: 175 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

6. Maharani Boutique

Maharani Boutique, Leura — Pick up a colourful dress from 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 Rubyyaya. Sourcing natural fibres and ethical brands, the store is akin to opening a dress-up box and finding something fabulous to put on.

Address: Shop 7, Strand Arcade,176-180 The Mall, Leura NSW 2780

7. The Candy Store

Tucked into Leura Mall arcade, sweet tooths and children won’t be able to bypass this Leura lolly shop that stocks a brightly coloured collection of confectionery 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.

Address: Shop 6/178 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

8. 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.

Address: 166-168 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

9. Moontree

Moontree, Leura — Moontree is a one-stop shop for home decor. (Credit: Destination NSW)

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 collectables. From their eponymous label to 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.

Address: 157 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

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10. 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.

Address: 159 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

11. Leura Cabinet of Curiosities

A spin-off from Teddy Sinclair (featured above), this Leura Mall shop is just the sort of eclectic accumulation you would expect to find in a mountain village. Well worth a peruse, it’s hard not to find something that speaks to you here, whether that’s a hand puppet, a miniature Mallard duck figurine or a 3D puzzle.

Address: 199 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

12. Birdy Vintage

Birdy Vintage, Leura — Find a pre-loved gem at Birdy Vintage.

This vintage clothing and homewares boutique in Strand Arcade is stocked with preloved finds of high quality. Fans of past-era fashion and slightly eccentric styles will relish a good flick through the racks here. Treasures await those with an eagle eye, from cashmere coats to glass vases and woollen knits.

Address: Strand Arcade, Shop 8/178 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

13. Picklemouse Corner

Even if you’re not really in the market for an exquisite handmade quilt, you should still swing into this gorgeous store that is full of cottage-core finds. From gorgeous fabrics to flannel quilts, haberdashery and French country nighties, it’s enough to make you look for your very own mountain cottage and start a simpler life.

Address: 1/152 Megalong St, Leura NSW 2780

14. With Max and Me

With Max and Me, Leura — Shop hand-crafted home decor. (Credit: With Max and Me)

Named after the owners’ beloved but departed dog and stocking unique and hand-crafted items with a preference for one-off pieces, this Leura Mall store is all about artisan goods. From fashion and jewellery to homewares and gifts, poke your head in to pick up a mountain-appropriate merino wool or cashmere scarf, a leather bag or something from an Australian artist.

Address: 142 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

Treasure-filled spots for shopping in Leura