Mooching round the Sydney markets

When it's the weekend and the weather's good, there's nothing better than visiting Sydney's colourful outdoor markets. You can mingle with the locals and pick up anything from a piece of original designer clothing to a handcrafted souvenir, from new music to a bargain pair of sports shoes.

Sydney's markets can all be found over the course of one weekend and if you really want to empty your wallet, one of the main shopping districts is usually just down the road.

Paddington Markets

Originally held in a children's playground near Oxford St, this started off as a local event but now attracts a lot of tourists, too. They do a good job of keeping out the garbage and you can choose from high-class craft, leather, pottery, wood and jewellery, even some tasteful souvenirs and paintings.

Many of Australia's trendiest fashion designers started off peddling their wares here, so look out for the next big thing.

Across and along the road are the posh little boutiques, bakeries, cafes and exclusive homeware stores of the Paddington shopping district.

Back at the market, there's a little bit of secondhand but not much, and it's very likely overpriced because of the hipper-than-thou Oxford St location. You're unlikely to find a $1 bargain around here.

Finish your visit with a seat in the sun and a Middle Eastern vegetarian sandwich from one of the food caravans at the back of the markets, or amble down the road to any one of Paddington's funky little eateries.

Typical purchases: handmade lavender soap $3, black leather wallet $40, white damask duvet set $230. Cash is best but some vendors will accept credit cards.

Where: 2 Newcombe St, Paddington (easily accessible from Oxford St).

When: Summer, Saturday 10 am-5 pm; winter, Saturday, 10 am-4 pm.

Glebe Markets

Compared to Paddington these markets are much more feral, a little bit of grunge heaven under trees in the grounds of a school, peopled by young Sydneysiders, all pink hair, piercings and strumming their guitars.

There's some handicraft here but you're more likely to find all kinds of secondhand gear - books, furniture, shoes and lots of clothing. If you're the kind of person who's hanging out for a 60s white vinyl jacket with fake fur trim or some red cowboy boots, then you're in the right place.

Also on sale is pseudo-hippie paraphernalia such as beeswax candles, crocheted hats and painted glass.

For a break, take a seat on the small grassy field in front of the stalls, listen to the wind-chimes and watch punk kids play hackysack, their bright blue mohawk hairdos flashing in the sun.

It's also worth exploring Glebe a little further - there are some great little cafes, bookstores and curio traders in this leafy inner-city suburb.

Typical Purchases: scented candle $1, secondhand book $5, secondhand leather jacket $40. You'd be hard-pressed to find much over $100 here.

Where: Glebe Public School, Glebe Point Rd, Glebe.

When: Saturdays, 10 am-4 pm.

Bondi Markets

This small market is a pleasing cross between Paddington and Glebe and fast becoming the best suburban one.

Held on a patch of school land just behind the main shopping drag and over the road from Bondi beach, it offers a mixture of cheap bric-a-brac and more expensive handicrafts.

Stall-holders include locals who use this as a kind of flea market and market professionals who come every week with their pottery, paintings and candles.

After shopping, the next obvious step is a stroll along Bondi beach, if only to sit on the sand and watch the surfers.

You might also want to check out some of the businesses along the beachfront road - there's a huge variety of food stores as well as several youth-oriented clothing, music, homeware and shoe shops.

From here you can also catch the Bondi and Bay Explorer which for around $30 will take you sightseeing along the coast.

Typical purchases: $1 for a secondhand candle holder, $25 for a skate/surf T-shirt, $50 for an original artwork.

Where: Bondi Beach Public School, Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach.

When: Summer, Sundays 10 am-5 pm; winter, Sundays 10 am-4 pm.

Paddy's Market

This long-established market, held in a giant warehouse in the Haymarket/Chinatown area of the central city, is definitely still worth a visit.

About one-third of the space is devoted to the sale of fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables. The rest is packed with all manner of goods, some of them cheap junk, others great buys.

There are souvenirs aplenty - from giant stuffed kangaroos to T-shirts and silly hats - and electrical goods and tools.

Most of the clothes are inexpensive imports and not great quality, but there are one-season-only styles that might appeal to followers of fashion. Imitation Versace skirt, anyone?

Or if you're after a pair of funky, new sunglasses, you'll find them here for under $20. Those on the lookout for new sports shoes would be well-advised to pay Paddy's a visit as there are all kinds of out-of-date trainers at incredibly cheap prices.

One floor and one quality level up from the stall-holders below, there's a whole mall of stores to explore.

Most specialise in the super-trendy gear young Asian girls and boys are into - crazy platform boots, transparent, bright red handbags, Hello Kitty shirts and diamante hair clips. Prices vary a lot, from $20 shirts to $200 accessories.

Up one more elevator to the factory floor and there are factory or seconds stores from big-name labels such as United Colours of Benetton, Esprit, Esprit Men, Nine West shoes and Witchery. There are also some genuine bargains to be had here.

Chinatown itself is a great place to look for pure cotton lace or bedding, beaded slippers and delicate silk blouses, as well as Chinese housewares and more souvenirs.

It's also well worth having a sit down and a snack then walk all the way back up George St and you're in the CBD shopping district again, with the Pitt St Mall and the Queen Victoria Building nearby.

Typical purchases: souvenir T-shirt $5, bright yellow jumper $30, beaded Chinese slippers $10. Prices can range from a few dollars at the ground floor market to several hundred at one of the upstairs stores.

Where: Corner of Hay and Thomas Sts, Haymarket.

When: Thursday to Sunday, 9 am- 4.30 pm. The mall upstairs is open every day.

Balmain Markets

One of the best things about this market is its location - the leafy grounds of a gorgeous old stone church, St Andrews, with stalls both in and outside the church buildings.

Most of the stall-holders here specialise in handicrafts or antiques. The crafts run the gamut from silk-covered, recycled paper journals and hand-painted pottery to make-your-own-sushi kits ($20) with a recipe book written by the stall holder.

Antiques are more of the genuine, old-fashioned sort than collectables from the 60s and 70s. This market isn't huge but it's quaint.

Balmain is a fairly recently gentrified little village. It's busy on Saturdays and the sidewalk cafes are full of locals out for breakfast or lunch.

If you want to wander even further, about 30 minutes back down the main road toward the city is the more low-rent Rozelle market, which is much like a real fleamarket.

Typical purchases: baby's screen-printed singlet $7, antique diamante earrings $25, men's black leather satchel $220. Prices are similar to the Paddington markets but this place is not nearly as crowded or professional.

Where: Corner of Darling St and Curtis Rd, Balmain.

When: Saturdays, 8.30 am-4 pm.

The Rocks

These markets, in the heart of Sydney's tourist district, are strictly for the souvenir-hunter. But you will find some of the best, most original souvenirs in Sydney. In between the historic stone buildings on the waterfront, a huge tent is erected.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge looms overhead and beneath are more than 150 stalls selling all kinds of Australiana.

It's worth wandering further round the Rocks to its historic pub, the Mercantile Hotel, and cafes (be warned: they're pricey) as well as the Sydney Visitor Information Centre and several museums and galleries nearby.

From here you could walk to Darling Harbour or catch the ferry from Circular Quay to the Manly Arts and Crafts market (Sydney Rd, Manly, every Saturday and Sunday), the Kirribilli antique market (last Saturday of every month) or Balmain.

Alternatively, a brisk stroll up Pitt St takes you to the CBD shopping area.

Typical purchases: small pewter platypus $5, designer dog collar $18, hand-painted Australian plate $95, decorated didgeridoo $295.

Where: George St, the Rocks/Circular Quay. When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-5 pm.

Other Sydney shopping destinations

The exclusive Queen St, Woollahra, for antiques and posh delicatessens. Double Bay for designer stores. Pitt St Mall and Victoria Arcade for designer labels and mainstream stores such as Jigsaw and Esprit.

And the gritty-but-appealing streets of bohemian Newtown for cafes and secondhand stores.