Rare shops you can only find in Melbourne

Melbourne’s city centre is packed with shops you won’t find anywhere else. From rare books to precious gems, magic shops to vintage fashion, this list is for curious minds and collectors. If you want to spend an afternoon browsing things you didn’t even know existed, start here.

Wunderkammer

A store of curiosities, Wunderkammer stocks fossils, taxidermy, minerals, medical instruments and antique scientific equipment. It’s inspired by the “Cabinets of Wonder” from 16th-century Europe. You’ll find a crocodile skull next to a Roman coin or a vintage microscope. It’s the strangest and most beautiful shop in the city.

Queen Victoria Women's Centre Shop

Queen Victoria Women's Centre Shop sells work by women and gender-diverse makers across Victoria. You’ll find jewellery, ceramics, zines, books, prints and homewares. It’s inside the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre on Lonsdale Street. Sales support local creatives and keep the shop’s community programs running.

Metropolis Bookshop

Metropolis specialises in books on art, design, architecture and photography. It also has rare and hard-to-find books on music, culture, fashion, feminism and film. The shop is hidden upstairs at Curtin House on Swanston Street. You can easily lose a whole hour browsing here so make sure to give yourself time.

Retro Mamma

Retro Mamma is tucked into String Bean Alley at Queen Victoria Market. The shop is part vintage image store, part camera shop, part fashion stall. You’ll find old film slides, fully working vintage cameras, and retro jewellery. It's a great spot for gifts or a one-of-a-kind accessory.

Saloon Store

Tucked inside the third floor of Curtain House, Saloon Store stocks Australian and international designers with a focus on modern interiors, fashion and low-key luxury homewares. Brands include Arnsdorf, Baserange, Lemaire and Marle. The space is sleek and minimal, with a small but considered selection. Think everyday pieces made to last.

Martin Fella Vintage

Martin Fella is a vintage store that focuses on designer clothing and rare pieces from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. It’s set inside a big corner shop on Queensberry Street. There’s a mix of both local and international fashion, and many pieces are one-off. Think bright prints, sharp tailoring and labels you don’t see every day.

World Food Books

World Food Books is an independent art bookshop inside the Nicholas Building. It focuses on contemporary art, criticism, theory and artist-made books. The space also hosts talks, readings and exhibitions. It’s the kind of place artists, designers and thinkers go to get inspired.

Ngali

Ngali is a First Nations-owned clothing label that works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create wearable art. Each piece features designs licensed from visual artists and comes with background on who made the work. The Docklands store also stocks beautiful accessories.

Brickville

Brickville is a tiny shop at QV selling loose LEGO pieces, rare mini figures and custom LEGO builds. You can buy bricks by the gram or dig through piles for the exact piece you need. There are also full boxed sets and vintage builds. A must-visit for fans and collectors.

e.g.etal

e.g.etal stocks contemporary jewellery by over 60 Australian and New Zealand artists. The store is minimalist and bright, so the focus is all on the jewellery. You’ll find gold, silver, resin, stone and glass pieces, some more sculptural than wearable. Ideal for a special gift or personal treasure.

Hill of Content

Melbourne’s oldest bookstore is still one of its best. The Hill of Content has been open since the 1920s, and sits on Bourke Street just up from Parliament. The bottom level is packed with new releases, while upstairs is filled with art, travel and philosophy books. A great mix of quiet, charm and great reading.

Swensk

Swensk is a Swedish clothing store that focuses on timeless, minimalist fashion. It stocks menswear and womenswear from brands like Filippa K and J.Lindeberg. Every piece is carefully selected for cut, fabric and longevity. The store itself is bright and sleek, with high ceilings and pale wood floors.

Up There

Up There is a sneaker and menswear store tucked behind Flinders Lane. It sells limited edition and hard-to-find shoes, plus casual streetwear, accessories and cult international brands. The shop has a loyal following of sneakerheads. Expect to find things here you won’t spot anywhere else in Australia.

Dungeon of Magic

Melbourne’s longest-running fantasy and tabletop game shop is hidden below street level on Little Collins. Dungeon of Magic sells Magic: The Gathering cards, Dungeons & Dragons books, dice, miniatures and accessories. There’s also space to play in-store. It’s a home base for fantasy fans.

Pieces of Eight

This gallery and retail space focuses on fine contemporary jewellery and small sculpture. Pieces are made by both established and emerging artists, using materials like glass, steel, silver, gold, rubber and stone. You can also commission custom work. The shop is light-filled, clean and striking.

Queen Victoria Women's Centre Shop

Queen Victoria Women's Centre Shop sells work by women and gender-diverse makers across Victoria. You’ll find jewellery, ceramics, zines, books, prints and homewares. It’s inside the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre on Lonsdale Street. Sales support local creatives and keep the shop’s community programs running.

Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller

This historic bookstore near Melbourne Town Hall feels like stepping into a library from another time. It sells rare and collectable books on every subject you can think of, from medieval poetry to signed first editions. The space is quiet, lined with timber shelves and small sculptures of owls. You can browse or talk to staff about tracking down a special book.