PARKLEA MARKETS: "BARGAINS GALORE in NSydney" Top 5 Page for this destination Australia and Oceania Shopping Tip by AusPinay

This place is huge, a treasure trove of international food, fashion and flair displaying all the best Australia has to offer all under one roof with thousands of bargains.You will literally shop till you drop so give this a good amount of time to enjoy to the utmost!

There are toys, tools, kitchenware, camping / fishing goods, cosmetics, jewellery, fresh flowers, computer software, souvenirs, car accessories, plants, gardening goods and much, much more. There is also a petshop where you can take the kids to enjoy watching various types of puppies, guinea pigs, rabbits, kittens, birds and fish on display and available for sale. Accessories are also sold, like state of the art aquariums, animal cages, etc.

We come here almost every week being just a stone's throw from our home, about half an hour's walk or less than five minute's drive.

It must be mentioned they are only open weekends and sometimes on long weekends or public holidays.It is not common to see dozens of buses full of "tourists" doing shopping trips to this place. It can be really crowded on public holidays. Sundays are a bit quiet. It is an indoor marketplace so rain or shine, the fun continues!

There is also ample parking spaces and we have our own secret spots to park, near the markets which only true blue locals know. Most travelers here park their car at the right side at the huge parking area near the front. There's parking nearer but I am not at liberty to tell,LOL!

What to buy: You can buy almost anything here- even furnitures, rugs, computers and accessories, electrical appliances, all at discounted prices.

But my favourites items are the fresh produce which range from $1 a kilo for potatoes, onions, etc. One tip is to go there towards closing time around 4 pm as most products are almost free! But it is better to go early if you want to get fresh fish and meats.

There is a good selection of cheeses, ham and other cured meats from the deli and also freshly baked breads and rolls, savoury and sweet baked goods from the two Asian bakeries selling international kinds of breads and pastries. Our faves are the Lebanese breads, the custard tarts, macaroons, etc.

The markets are also ahead where fashion is concerned so all ages, for both sexes, etc, are catered for.

If you get hungry, there are plenty of eating/dining options from a bistro upstairs where you can order steaks, roast meats, etc to take away and fast food shops or even stalls selling freshly cooked juicy corn on the cob, Aussie pies, sausage rolls or even bacon and eggs cooked while you wait! There's a burger house and fish and chips place too!Plenty of seating for dining are also available outside the markets as well as picnic tables when it is usually sunny outside even in winter.

Another tip: You can have your watches fixed or batteries changed for a fraction of a cost compared to ordinary shops in the shopping centres.

What to pay: From a dollar each kilo for many vegetables especially near closing time. A bunch of garlic usually is cheaper here too- from $0.99 to $1.99 or even cheaper depending on the season. Pork chops are around $7 a kilo, much cheaper than supermarkets. Even fish- basa or bream from $9 a kilo or cheaper. Yellow tail sometimes sell as low as $3.99 a kilo, amazing! The fish market in our plaza never sells less than $10/kilo for any fish, as I have noticed for the last 3 years!

Tops starts from $5 each and decent handbags from $8. Name brands are higher but still reasonably priced.
We picked up a Belgian rug for $30 dollars! Cannon bath towels-from $5, small computer notebooks from $350, my sister got one herself and comes with warranty. The shops are mostly regular ones so you are assured they are not fly by night hawkwers.

Address: Sunnyholt Road, PArklea
Directions: Buses from Blacktown
othercontact: http://www.blacktownshopping.com
Theme: Other