Regional Shopping Guide
FROM WALGETT TO DARWIN, HERE’S OUR PICK OF SOME GREAT REGIONAL STORES, AND DON’T FORGET ONLINE SHOPPING.
NEW SOUTH WALES Amara Home
The facade of Amara Home in the quaint village of Berry on the NSW South Coast is like something from a fairytale. It’s covered in creeping ivy that shrouds the blacksmith and farrier sign from days gone by. Inside you’ll find a dreamy selection of interiors and high-end fashion in neutral colours. One-off furniture and decorative pieces, sourced from as far as Africa, India and Morocco, sit comfortably among luxury clothing and accessories by Celine, Anine Bing, Jac and Jack, Lucy Folk, and Bemboka. Be sure to seek out knives by Poglia, The Laundress’ genius collaboration with Le Labo and Jérôme Dreyfuss’s buttery soft leather bags — for all of the latest finds in this treasure-trove of a store, follow @amara_home on Instagram. 83 Queen Street, Berry,
(02) 4464 2910
Stone’s Throw
There’s a mass of greenery at the entrance to Stone’s Throw on Walgett’s main street, hanging from planters and wheeled onto the pavement in vintage European market carts. The café and shop, owned by Katie Murray and her husband Jay, has been credited with keeping community spirits up in the drought-affected area. With its huge bi-fold windows and brilliant sage-green subway tiles, it’s little wonder locals and visitors flock to the old bank building to catch up, enjoy great coffee and browse Katie’s thoughtful collection of homewares and gifts. There are gourmet pantry items, kitchen and garden accessories, fun tea towels, aprons and calendars by Red Tractor Designs, plus plenty of items to help beat the heat — insulated drink bottles and wine glasses by Corkcicle are ever popular, as is the newly published book by local author Cathie Colless. We love famous homemade poppyseed dressing by local Di Ridge and reusable coffee cups from Huskee. Follow @stonesthrowwalgett on Instagram to see all the new arrivals. While you’re in town, check out newly opened Petals and Seeds Store around the corner, for fresh flowers and juices. 58 Fox Street, Walgett, (02) 6828 3359.
NORTHERN TERRITORY Lulu & Daw
The Star Village Arcade was once home to Darwin’s first cinema. Now, walk the breezy courtyard under the shade of the frangipani tree to find a collection of boutiques, including clothing and accessories hotspot, Lulu & Daw. Each season, owners Susan Forrest and Emily Hardy hand-pick a unique selection of predominantly Australian pieces, with a focus on quality, natural fibres and affordability. The store’s loyal customers love brands like Magpie Goose, Shona Joy, Elka Collective and Auguste The Label, plus a great range of earrings by Middle Child, Annabelle Hardie and Eb & Ive. Warm, honest styling advice from Suse and Emily has locals returning year-round and travellers frequenting the shop in the dry season from May to October. You can buy online, too. Shop 5, Star Village Arcade, 32 Smith Street Mall, Darwin, 0477 691 820, luluanddaw.com
QUEENSLAND Otilly & Lewis
Helen Allison’s passion for travel and interior design inspired her to open a homewares store more than 25 years ago. A decorator’s delight, the shop is named after her twin grandchildren. Regular buying trips across the globe mean shoppers on the Sunshine Coast are treated to Helen’s sophisticated European style. Among her collection you’ll find Caravane French linen and silk bedding, Antoinette Poisson’s stunning wallpapers and textiles, plus Henry Beguelin’s Milanese-made leather bags. Stock up on Cire Trudon candles and Mud Australia ceramics while you’re in store and follow >
@otillyandlewis on Instagram for locally made furniture. Shop 4, 8 Grebe Street, Peregian Beach, (07) 5448 1524, otillyandlewis.com.au
Inky & Moss
Lovers of colour, this one’s for you! Inky & Moss is your one-stop shop for all things bright and beautiful this season, be it homewares or fashion. Owner Chrissy Chandler has a keen eye for bold fabrics and on-trend prints. Her curation of women’s clothing has a large following for a small boutique — sundresses by brands such as Bruno, Alessandra and Binny walk out the door. Tablecloths by Society of Wanderers, glass vases by Marmoset Found, Kollab picnic mats and Marimekko napkins are Chrissy’s top picks for entertaining this season. Not visiting outback Queensland anytime soon? You can shop online.
54 Wyndham Street, Roma,
(07) 4622 3455, inkymoss.com.au
TASMANIA Acreage
Four years ago, creative duo Zoe and Jason Howard left inner-city Melbourne for a tree change in Tasmania. The pair purchased a small sheep farm and now also run Acreage, alongside a graphic design and marketing studio, in Launceston. With a clever mix of country hospitality and chic, design-focused homewares, Acreage combines a café offering everything from salads to delicious pastries, a florist and gift shop in one. Don’t miss gorgeous hand-poured Posie candles, a careful curation of lifestyle books, plus new statement table linens and ceramics by Canvas and Sasson that are Zoe’s latest loves. Be sure to browse through the fun selection of greeting cards, too. “We don’t believe in dull cards,” Zoe says. Seasoned customers know to choose their flowers, then sit down to a truffle cheese toastie — yes please! 29 Kingsway, Launceston, (03) 6334 0824, acreagetasmania.com.au, instagram.com/acreagetasmania
VICTORIA Black Salt Co.
Based near Victoria’s infamous surf beaches, this unique showroom is decked out with one-of-a-kind homewares and furniture, boasting cool coastal-luxe style with a tribal edge. Mother-daughter pair Amber and Jenny Foster design their pieces in-house, then travel the world (often with family in tow!) to work alongside their skilled artisans. Handmade cabinets, buffets, bookshelves, mirrors and bedheads all prove hugely popular. We love the woven palm leaf wall hangings, rattan pendant lights and brass hooks for an instant hint of the tropics at home. Amber and Jenny have, of course, mastered the art of summer entertaining, with their ethos of sustainability shining through
— they tell us “on a balmy night, we love setting up for dinner down by the ocean with our rattan beach chairs, reusable coconut bowls, palm spoons and bamboo straws.” Black Salt Co. is predominantly an online business — follow @blacksaltco on Instagram. The showroom is open by appointment. 2/5 Haystacks Drive, Torquay (by appointment only), blacksaltco.com
Yield
As if the town of Birregurra wasn’t charming enough, husband-and-wife team Simon and Kara Stewart opened Yield Restaurant and Providore in the spring of 2018. Walk inside the provisions store and step back in time — the space is lined with vintage scales, biscuit tins and a butter churn, Fowler jars filled with preserved fruits and dried garlic flowers. The shop sells an artful selection of local produce and gourmet goods, many of which are used in chef Simon’s adjoining restaurant. Stand-outs include The Great Ocean Road’s Apostle Whey Cheese, The Farming Mums preserves and oil from Birregurra Estate Olives. Browse non-edible gifts, too, like handcrafted ceramics, botanical soaps and Apollo Bay’s beautiful Wood You Spoon Me hand-carved spoons. Plan a visit to fill your pantry or picnic basket, ideally, in the mornings from Friday to Monday, when Simon sells his spelt sourdough fresh from the oven. 43 Main Street, Birregurra, (03) 5236 2611, yieldbirregurra.com.au
Manteau Noir
Daylesford is a much-loved fine food, wine and shopping destination. A particularly special offering, Manteau Noir was opened in 2014 by Victoria Varrasso, designer of the store’s eponymous range of linen clothing and handmade Italian shoes. Victoria describes the shop’s interior as being “cloaked in a deep moody indigo that highlights the beautiful French antique fixtures and meticulous visual merchandising,” thanks to its refurbishment in collaboration with interior designer Carole Whiting. “Visitors comment that inside is dreamlike, another universe, a sensory treasure-trove,” says Victoria. Some of the objects to discover include niche perfumes, printed cushions by artist Anita Mertzlin, locally blended teas by The Cottage Herbalist and clothing by cult Japanese label Ichi Antiquités.
Shop 1/27 Vincent Street, Daylesford, (03) 5348 1902, manteaunoir.com.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Style & Leaf Co.
This smart homewares and gift shop brings its modern Scandi style to the town of Katanning. With an impressive range of Australian and international design products, owners Lisa Thompson and Jenna Green are passionate about what they put on the shelves. Neat merchandising means a visit to the Clive Street store is a pleasure — there’s everything from kids’ Tiger Tribe activity sets and the ever-popular Jones & Co ceramic face vases to sumptuous Salus skincare. Our pick for summer soirées? Must-have Menu salt and pepper mills. It’s no surprise that there’s also some interior design expertise at play here — you can book a consultation and shop online.
145 Clive Street, Katanning, 0417 184 185, styleandleafco.com.au
If you love bold colours, in both homewares and fashion, then Inky & Moss in Roma is your one-stop shop.