Op Shop Til You Drop

Unlike the Territory’s biggest mall, Darwin’s op shops are a mecca for quirky one-off pieces and occasionally, mint-condition vintage. And that’s only the fashion. You can also pick up homewares, camping gear, books and games for a song.  So next time you’re in the mood for some retail therapy forget the chain stores and check out some of these local haunts.

Amazing vests at Anglicare St Peters

The newly revamped Anglicare at St Peters (Cnr Sabine & Trower Rds, Millner; 8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm Sat) is an absolute sweat box on a hot day but well worth a visit for its impressive range of board games and bargain basement prices. In fact they don’t even have prices… it really just depends on the mood of the woman behind the counter. Down the road the cavernous Anglicare warehouse (5 Nemarluk St, Ludmilla; 8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm Sat) is brimming with recycled bits and bobs and has a regular $1 day.

If you’re into the whole ’boutique’ charity store experience, the Casuarina Salvos Store (13 Scaturchio St, Casuarina) has shaken off the old mothball reputation and gone for a touch of visual merchandising. Also on that bent St Vincent de Paul (2 Westralia St, Stuart Park; 9.00am-4.00pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12pm Sat) offers a clutter free and completely colour-coded shopping experience, with random finds like racing wear, kick boards and ice skates. Yes, ice skates.

Personally, I can’t walk past the Red Cross (31 Smith St, Darwin) without popping in for a quick perusal but my real fave is the Uniting Church op shop (21 Cummins St, Rapid Creek; 4-6.30pm Fri & Sat 9am-12pm) and cafe. This place is an absolute treasure trove and you’re bound to come home with a bag of goodies. If not, you can always eat cake.