Collins Street, Melbourne

Forget the hassle of scavenging in backstreets and markets. For a memorable Melbourne shopping expedition, hit the top of the main thoroughfare, Collins Street. Lined with plane trees illuminated by

fairy lights after dark, this section, known as the Paris End, seems to host the flagship store of every chain you can name.

The first stop on the city's grand boulevard of style, Hugo Boss (No230, tel: 61 3 9650 0606), offers suits from A$1,200 ($6,900) to A$1,500, shirts from A$200, trousers for A$400 and ties for about A$130. The tie selection is especially alluring, offering every conceivable shade of blue.

The nearby Swatch Store (No220, tel: 61 3 9654 9694) sells an array of novelty watches characterised by prettiness and whimsy. One sports pink, orange and violet stripes; another, adorned with pink faux fur, has tiny rabbit ears attached. The price of each is cute too: A$77.50.

Across the street, Ralph Lauren (No181, tel: 61 3 9654 0374) hypnotises the visitor with a slew of screens showing catwalk models. The fashion chain's own mesmerisingly bright shirts cost from A$130 to A$180. Jackets are A$500 and trousers cost about A$200.

Hi-tech audiovisual hub Bang & Olufsen (No179, tel: 61 3 9639 9366) is an oasis of understated cool. The shop offers everything from a swank BeoVision 5 plasma set (A$33,990) to a humble BeoCom 1401 phone table (A$50).