Trending styles are one thing. Finding one-off treasures that complement your style are a whole other mall game. Skip building up the Afterpay debt and mass-produced fashion wastage. Instead, hit the streets on a guilt-free shopping spree while earning some seriously good karma for shopping sustainably and, in many cases, donating to charity.
So what went into rounding up the best op shops Gold Coast has to offer? A good few weeks of roadtripping around the coast, a swag of reuseable Woolies bags and a heap of thrifted buys, in the name of 'research'. From kids clothes, to Australiana cookbooks, and even a terracotta vase. I've personally visited, nodded 'not a bad price' at and headed to the checkout at each of these stores.
From boutiques and animals rescue locales to western-themed haunts, the Urban List team sent me op shopping. Crack open your piggy bank and get hunting through the treasure troves that are the best op shops on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country.
Best Gold Coast Op Shops At A Glance
Op Shops Open Sundays
Pacas
3298 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Friendly vibes and prices make Pacas a top Gold Coast op shop, no matter your style. Plus they’re one of the Gold Coast’s only op shops open on Sunday, so 10am-6pm or 5pm Wednesday and Sunday is prime thrifting time. Whether it’s a signature vintage piece you’re after, high-quality work gear or loungewear to laze in on Sundays, don’t miss your chance to score an absolute bargain at this five-star op shop on a Mi Goreng budget.
Centrally located opposite Cali Beach Club along the tram line, even if you're a Gold Coast local, I highly rate a weekend of shelf scouring and lounging by booking a Surfers Paradise Airbnb while you’re at it. I love that new stock arrives every Saturday, making for the prefect day to drop by for low cost, high quality apparel direct from owners Liz and Alfonso.
RSPCA Op Shop
118 Bundall Rd, Bundall QLD 4217
Dubbed the Gold Coast’s best furniture op shop, this animal-loving go-to features a boutique feel, regularly updated stock, pet supplies and even cats up for adoption seven days a week.
To the avid op shopper’s delight, designer pieces and clothing with tags intact are more common at Bundall’s RSPCA Op Shop than many other thrift stores I’ve been to. Come for the threads, stay for the cute kitties. Wondering if this op shop’s open Sunday? 9am-4:30pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-3pm Sunday just got a whole lot better. With 100% of profits going to animals in need, I highly recommend you add this sweet store to your next Gold Coast op shop tour.
Strange Days Store
Shop 1/1142 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
28-30 Bay St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Home to ‘all things rock n roll, with a touch of western soul’, Strange Days Store is where high-end vintage meets upcycled cowboy wear. It’s a high-end Gold Coast vintage shop brimming with everything from tassel jackets and ribbed corsets to the largest collection of boots you simply must feast your eyes on. American and Euro vintage threads fill the racks, so expect a curated collection of seriously original pieces.
Opt to sip cuppas and buy, swap and sell at their Tweed Heads store Monday to Friday 9am-4pm, 8am-4pm Saturday and you’ll be pleased to know this op shop is open Sunday, 8am-1pm all in NSW time. Or head to the Palm Beach locale 10am-4pm weekdays, 9am-4pm Saturday or 9am-1pm Sunday for fashion with a side of second hand vinyl. Both are excellent choices.
These legends are wheelin’ and dealin’ with pop-ups at Miami Marketta and hustling with sales in-store on the reg. Giddy up and save up your pretty pennies for a visit to this Americana vintage lover's treasure trove of dreams.
Biggest Gold Coast Op Shops
1-World Charity Shop
1/131 George St, Beenleigh QLD 4207
From suitcases to suitably egg-themed knick-knacks. Scarves to shirts that get the job done. 1-World Charity Shop is one of the biggest op shops on the northern side of the Gold Coast, and well-worth a visit 9am-4:30pm weekdays and until 4pm Saturdays. It's one I've made the roadtrip to more than a dozen times because it really is that good.
Notably, the extensive array of kids toys on offer is seriously impressive. And the book section features a wide variety of reads at low prices. It’s giving shopping centre experience on a thrifting budget and I'm not one bit mad about it.
Lifeline Superstore
28 Industrial Ave, Molendinar QLD 4214
Tucked away in Molendinar’s industrial estate, this popular - and huge - Gold Coast op shop’s a must-visit. Situated within a gigantic warehouse, I recommend you carve out an hour or two between 9am-5pm weekdays and until 2pm Saturdays for ample trinket-scouring time. Shelves lined with vintage tea sets, gravy boats and china to the left, turn right and weave through rows as far as the eye can see of pre-loved clothes, including a nostalgic retro section featuring Billabong pieces that might make you feel vintage too.
I found a terribly green tea set that looks like a genie might be living inside from this op shop. I don't drink tea but it had to come home with me. And this is one of those op shops Gold Coast locals and visitors alike head to for those irresistible pieces.
Or if a good read’s on your mind, wander through to the well-stocked book collection bursting with romance novels, biographies, travel guides and 70s Australiana cookbooks. A furniture upgrade on the cards? Scout out vintage armchairs, dining room settings or bedroom suites at The Lifeline Superstore. You might even walk away with a kitchen sink. Seriously, though.
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Salvos Mermaid Beach
Shop 11, Pacific Square 2532 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
A skip up from some of Mermaid Beach’s finest eateries and hidden bars, this much-loved Gold Coast op shop is near impossible to disappoint. Venture past Soak Bathhouse, bundle up a selection of staple pieces from across the store and show each piece off with a mandatory fashion parade. Or scour your way through the seemingly endless racks of footwear weekdays 9am-5:30pm or until 5pm Saturdays.
I have my suspicions that the quality team is armed with a thorough list of boxes to tick before each piece snuggles onto a hanger. That’s probably got to do with why this space has a reputation for being the best op shop on the Gold Coast for pristine quality clothing. Check it out now, my bargain lover.
Salvos Burleigh Heads
5/20 Kortum Dr, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Capsule wardrobes. Statement pieces. A beret. If you’re reinventing yourself and your closet, look no further than Burleigh Heads Salvos. Think every op shop you’ve ever visited combined to create one giant store, with a collection so good, up-ending your wallet on the counter is a given. These folks are open 9am-530pm weekdays and until 5pm Saturdays. This is first stop on my list whenever I'm in need of a costume for a themed party.
Fusing old, new, fancy and fierce, this eclectic Gold Coast op shop has something for everyone. Stocking a huge range of second-hand scores, find everything from formal nightwear and snorkeling gear to classic records and your next dress up party's outfit.
Salvos Molendinar
542 Olsen Ave, Molendinar QLD 4214
One of the most least-assuming op shops on the Gold Coast, the Molendinar edition of Salvos delivers the goods with threads. I was pleasantly surprised when I found this place on a Bunnings run, since it's situated right next door. Swing in for easy parking and excellent wares Monday through Friday 9am - 5:30pm and until 5pm Saturday.
To give you an idea of the calibre of clothes, in one swoop I scored a pair of men’s Dickies, women’s Dissh pieces and baby-sized Bonds for the ripe price of $10 total. With their generous loyalty program, you'll literally save on these already affordably priced garments. This is my top pick for a seriously stocked op shop Gold Coast shopping spree planners must add to the list.
Op Shops With Cheap Deals
Robina Anglican Op Shop
361 Robina Pkwy, Robina QLD 4226
If $2 sales racks are your love language, head directly to Robina Anglican Op Shop. Open 9am-4pm weekdays and until 1pm Saturdays, this is the op shop Gold Coast locals rave about. With a wide selection of apparel, books and crockery, it’s unlikely you’ll ever leave empty-handed.
King’s Op Shop
56 Gemvale Rd, Reedy Creek QLD 4227
Whether you’re headed to a party, a first date or a long lunch. King’s Op Shop will not only deck out your wardrobe, but genuinely and carefully help you find your dream ‘fit. In my experience, this friendly team doubles as your own personal styling team guiding you to fashion victory. Offering affordable prices, $2 fill a bag specials are definitely work a peek at. Drop in Monday through Friday 9am - 3pm and Saturdays until 2pm.
Feel-Good Op Shops
Gold Coast North Anglican Op Shop
26 Brisbane Rd, Labrador QLD 4215
100-106 Old Pacific Hwy, Oxenford Square, Oxenford QLD 4210
Eco-friendly fashion, eat your heart out. With a store positively brimming with environmentally conscious second-hand threads, I popped by one of two Gold Coast North Anglican Op Shops and rummaged through endless racks of clothes, accessories and homewares. You can do the same 9am-4pm weekdays and until 1pm Saturdays.
Brimming with original 80s jackets, power suits and nearly-new shoes, scroll through what’s in-store via Instagram ahead of time for a sneak peek. Or do as I did and head in to get the lowdown on regular deals that’ll prevent both the planet and your wallet from screaming.
Animal Welfare League Op Shops
Various Locations
The Animal Welfare League Queensland op shops may be quaint, but their motley crew of second-hand scores scattered around the Gold Coast make it well-worth the trip. Think near unworn leather boots, endless denim and even designer threads. I once bought wrestler-esque knee highs with the tags still on and they've been a go-to pair for years.
Work your way through every AWLQ op shop on the Gold Coast, from Burleigh, Miami and Currumbin, right through to Southport, Nerang, Labrador, Helensvale and Coombabah. Check their varying opening hours Monday through Saturday here.
Vintage glasses, art and pet goods galore, these are the kind of op shops on the Gold Coast that’ll make you feel extra fuzzy, with all proceeds going to the Animal Welfare League. If you’re browsing at the Coombabah location, head in on Tuesday through Saturday between 12pm and 5pm to visit the adjoining rehoming centre brimming with cute cats, dogs and pocket pets like guinea pigs ready for a smooch. Honestly, it makes for the most wholesome day out.
Robina Kids Op Shop
186 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina QLD 4226
Second-hand stores often feature a kid’s rack off in the distance. Not at Robina Kids Op Shop, with an entire shop dedicated to goods for the littles. Take your pick from books, knitted toys, clothes of every size and those special occasion pieces that won’t necessarily be worn again - looking at you, baby elf costume. For kids op shops, Robina delivers at this locale 9:30am-1pm Tuesday-Friday and until 12pm Saturday. Plus, it's nearby to Greenheart Robina Parklands which is the perfect pitstop if the littles are with you. Their onsite pop-up cafe, Drifter is open 7am-1pm weekdays and 6am-2pm weekends.
Looking for more treasures?
Image Credit: Strange Days & Allison Christine via Unsplash
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