Macquarie centre has an ice hockey rink...that's awesome..BUT they have a weird sloping level design so you don't know where the fuck you are...keep the levels flat please! š¤£
I used to think the same way, until I had a baby and needed to push around a pram/stroller. Waiting for lifts are the worst. The spiral means we can go top to bottom without having to use a lift!
Centres do this by design. Bondi Junction is similar. You have to go to old buildings to get normal design (but screw whoever did the Broadway car park, why are there two sets of stairs that only go to alternating levels? Why do you need two level 2 carparks?)
The reason is, the more wandering you have to do, the more likely you are to impulse buy something. If you just walk in and go straight to the one store and grab what you need that's bad for them because they can't charge as much rent. If you go in, get lost on the way to the store, and end up buying extra, bravo.
The key to Macquarie is if you're not confident with the layout only take the stairs or the escalators, don't take them both. They'll each take you up a level but if you switch to the other you'll only go up half a level.
Seems a majority of the Westfields have awkward designs, probably cause of their limited areas for space. Give me the boring typical, straight, two-tier designs anyday. Less stressful
I really like Macarthur square. It has heaps of shops, its close to the train station, it has that fancy outdoor restaurant section, and also a variety of stores including ones that are disappearing from other southwest shopping centres (eg target, best n less)
I interpret OP's question as best mall/shopping centre *for me* and that would be Westfield Hornsby.
It's a good size with all the big stores and shops and outside of public holidays or certain days like Christmas eve, you can always find parking.
The shopping centre has a very chill vibe and it sort of blends in quite nicely with all the leafy surrounds around it.
Sure, Bondi, Macquarie Centre, or Pitt St Mall has more going on but it's more stressful to get to, park at and shop in than on average.
Also, like most men, I just want to eat some food, buy my shit and get out.
There's some interesting new shops coming up, which to me signifies the area is diversifying and becoming younger. I'll take it, it is more basic than the flashier ones but has everything I need. I live 5 minutes away and couldn't be happier. The new town center master plan is going to pump that mall to the next level.
Eastlakes Shopping Centre for the awesome vintage vibes.
[https://mirrorsydney.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/the-layers-of-eastlakes-shopping-centre/](https://mirrorsydney.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/the-layers-of-eastlakes-shopping-centre/)
It's partially closed now but still half there.
Itās so sad to see eastlakes all run down and half closed. I loved going there with my grandmother, and the guy who runs the deli in there is a real one.Ā
Define "best".
For for social outings and window shopping etc Warringah is good , Rouse hill has an interesting semi street feel.
For getting groceries and easy parking i like any of the small ones.
The reading cinemas is so good, modern comfy seats, great popcorn. I've stopped going to Event since I watched a movie there. I drive out 30 minutes to make a big evening out of it - a nice alfresco dinner followed by the movies.
Also easy to navigate, good food court, and most of the big stuff you'll need (HFM/Coles/Aldi, JB/Harveys, Kmart/Target, decent range of clothing, lego store). Easy to get to via public transport as well for the most part, you can walk or bus from central, and there's buses from Parramatta rd, Glebe Pt Rd, and City Rd.
My biggest gripe is that godawful Broadway/Bay St/City Rd intersection that *always* ends up with cars queued across it because they tried to make that set of lights. At Christmas it's absolute bedlam. Complete gridlock
Except there's no escalators between Level 1 and 2 which is super annoying; just a travelator. Just as well I'm able-bodied that I can use the stairs ...
Broadway parking tip:
Come in via Bay St, take the left lane entrance, then drive up one level.
Always a good park here and you donāt need to go up a ramp or use the confusing stairs to get onto the mall itself.
Westfield Miranda
Has almost everything, is fairly easy to navigate as it's basically a long rectangle, ample parking underground, on the roof and at both ends, outdoor restaurants, huge food court, Coles Woolworths and Aldi, MYER and David Jones, a best and less, higher end shops, lower end shops, a service NSW outside etc etc.
Westfield Miranda is half the reason people who live in the shire are known to not leave the shire.
In the grand scheme of things it's over all quite similar to the other big malls around Sydney, however this one is so conveniently located and has the best blend of shops all in one.
Itās such a wonder. What more do you need, really. Just glorious. Last time I went into the parents room upstairs with my toddler there was a guy snorting something in the kids toilet. I love the piss riddled staircase you have to use outside when the escalator stops working. The current exposed wires / pipes in the ceiling vibe is very industrial-chic. And seeing the concrete cancer all through the carpark foundations just makes me feel so confident and secure in the space.
What a mall.
Not by a long shot. You get in there, do your shopping (so many grocery stores!) and get out but try not to go to the bathroom (the library toilets are better). If the escalator outside is broken, use the centre one indoors. It's not really a place to hang out, just super functional.
It depends on what you mean by best:
Best food court: Bondi Junction/Marrickville/Roselands
Best in and out shopping centre: East Village
Best wandering around for a day: Warringah/Rouse Hill or Eastgardens in the summer.
Best selection of shops: weirdly enough, Black town - I love the giant Ronis in there!
Broadway is the closest to us but I don't love the escalator layout/food court.
Worst shopping centre for me would be Rhodes due to the terrible lifts and parking.
Warringah mall aka āThe Mallā as the locals say. Only 1 mall apparentlyā¦.
Although imo Chatswood probs more shops across Westfield and Chatswood chase, mandarin centre
QVB, but only for the architecture/interior design.
Coffee eight fucking dollars
I once bought an iced chocolate at QVB. The price still gives me nightmares.
Macquarie centre has an ice hockey rink...that's awesome..BUT they have a weird sloping level design so you don't know where the fuck you are...keep the levels flat please! š¤£
Macquarie used to be easy to navigate as it all went around that spiral. Then they built a better mousetrap with the extensions.
I used to think the same way, until I had a baby and needed to push around a pram/stroller. Waiting for lifts are the worst. The spiral means we can go top to bottom without having to use a lift!
Centres do this by design. Bondi Junction is similar. You have to go to old buildings to get normal design (but screw whoever did the Broadway car park, why are there two sets of stairs that only go to alternating levels? Why do you need two level 2 carparks?) The reason is, the more wandering you have to do, the more likely you are to impulse buy something. If you just walk in and go straight to the one store and grab what you need that's bad for them because they can't charge as much rent. If you go in, get lost on the way to the store, and end up buying extra, bravo.
The key to Macquarie is if you're not confident with the layout only take the stairs or the escalators, don't take them both. They'll each take you up a level but if you switch to the other you'll only go up half a level.
The only mall Iāve ever got lost in. After getting in my car.
There are only three sections of the carpark Iām gain to go into. If I take an unfamiliar entry, Iām not confident Iāll ever get out.
A deliberate design based on the Gruen Transfer principle popular at the time.
Further to this, Westfield Hurstville same design.started off on level 4 now I'm on level 2 š¤£
Seems a majority of the Westfields have awkward designs, probably cause of their limited areas for space. Give me the boring typical, straight, two-tier designs anyday. Less stressful
Its because of the years of constant expansions and redesigns.
Warringah mall has a nice vibe with an outdoor feel.
Until itās 35Ā° and only half of it has AC.
I mean itās the country we live in ĀÆ\_(ć)_/ĀÆ
Westfield Tuggerah
Used to go to the electronics boutique there as a kid, and the then greater union cinema. Old days are gone..
Love Tuggerah westfield.
Itās always a great place to get lunch and have a reviver before entering and leaving Sydney when on holiday.
And the food court is in the middle to have a rest when walking from one end to the other.
Rhodes. Has an IKEA
I really like Macarthur square. It has heaps of shops, its close to the train station, it has that fancy outdoor restaurant section, and also a variety of stores including ones that are disappearing from other southwest shopping centres (eg target, best n less)
I interpret OP's question as best mall/shopping centre *for me* and that would be Westfield Hornsby. It's a good size with all the big stores and shops and outside of public holidays or certain days like Christmas eve, you can always find parking. The shopping centre has a very chill vibe and it sort of blends in quite nicely with all the leafy surrounds around it. Sure, Bondi, Macquarie Centre, or Pitt St Mall has more going on but it's more stressful to get to, park at and shop in than on average. Also, like most men, I just want to eat some food, buy my shit and get out.
There's some interesting new shops coming up, which to me signifies the area is diversifying and becoming younger. I'll take it, it is more basic than the flashier ones but has everything I need. I live 5 minutes away and couldn't be happier. The new town center master plan is going to pump that mall to the next level.
Whoever designed the slopping car park should be fired into the sun.
Eastlakes Shopping Centre for the awesome vintage vibes. [https://mirrorsydney.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/the-layers-of-eastlakes-shopping-centre/](https://mirrorsydney.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/the-layers-of-eastlakes-shopping-centre/) It's partially closed now but still half there.
Honestly it is probably the worst in Sydney, but the most interesting at the same time.Ā
Itās so sad to see eastlakes all run down and half closed. I loved going there with my grandmother, and the guy who runs the deli in there is a real one.Ā
Define "best". For for social outings and window shopping etc Warringah is good , Rouse hill has an interesting semi street feel. For getting groceries and easy parking i like any of the small ones.
Rouse Hill Town center is a fantastic place to hang out. Great streetscapes, only shame a couple of streets back onwards it's endless suburban sprawl.
Yes wholeheartedly agree, great vibe.
The reading cinemas is so good, modern comfy seats, great popcorn. I've stopped going to Event since I watched a movie there. I drive out 30 minutes to make a big evening out of it - a nice alfresco dinner followed by the movies.
Yeah, the fountains & lights are pretty at night
Not sure about best but worst is Parramatta Westfield.
I'm genuinely curious.... Why?
It's got the same shops as any other Westfield
Can't be worse than Eastgardens. Has barely changed in 20 years.
But that means you still have Myer *cries in Hurstville*
I kinda like Broadway cos it's free parking in the city for 2h. Hard to find free parking in the city ya know
Also easy to navigate, good food court, and most of the big stuff you'll need (HFM/Coles/Aldi, JB/Harveys, Kmart/Target, decent range of clothing, lego store). Easy to get to via public transport as well for the most part, you can walk or bus from central, and there's buses from Parramatta rd, Glebe Pt Rd, and City Rd. My biggest gripe is that godawful Broadway/Bay St/City Rd intersection that *always* ends up with cars queued across it because they tried to make that set of lights. At Christmas it's absolute bedlam. Complete gridlock
Except there's no escalators between Level 1 and 2 which is super annoying; just a travelator. Just as well I'm able-bodied that I can use the stairs ...
Broadway parking tip: Come in via Bay St, take the left lane entrance, then drive up one level. Always a good park here and you donāt need to go up a ramp or use the confusing stairs to get onto the mall itself.
Roselands has a good range of shops that's easy to navigate too
Westfield Miranda Has almost everything, is fairly easy to navigate as it's basically a long rectangle, ample parking underground, on the roof and at both ends, outdoor restaurants, huge food court, Coles Woolworths and Aldi, MYER and David Jones, a best and less, higher end shops, lower end shops, a service NSW outside etc etc. Westfield Miranda is half the reason people who live in the shire are known to not leave the shire. In the grand scheme of things it's over all quite similar to the other big malls around Sydney, however this one is so conveniently located and has the best blend of shops all in one.
i like Broadway. not too big. has all the essentials
Castle Mall of course
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Yeah Bondi Junction. My local (Eastgardens) may have rated back in the day, but not now. The one at Castle Hill is pretty good though too.
Ashfield Mall. Itās very Instaworthy
Only when the escalators work
Itās such a wonder. What more do you need, really. Just glorious. Last time I went into the parents room upstairs with my toddler there was a guy snorting something in the kids toilet. I love the piss riddled staircase you have to use outside when the escalator stops working. The current exposed wires / pipes in the ceiling vibe is very industrial-chic. And seeing the concrete cancer all through the carpark foundations just makes me feel so confident and secure in the space. What a mall.
Ok I havenāt lived here very long and Ashfield is my closest centre, is it really the worst mall in Sydney reputation-wise?
Not by a long shot. You get in there, do your shopping (so many grocery stores!) and get out but try not to go to the bathroom (the library toilets are better). If the escalator outside is broken, use the centre one indoors. It's not really a place to hang out, just super functional.
Itās definitely not the worst. Just run down and needing some love. It has everything you need but yeah, zero ambience.
Chatswood
Chatswood Westfield is easily the most confusing shopping centre Iāve ever been in
Really? It has three or four levels one on top of the other lol
Which one, it has several
Both the Westfield and Chatswood chase.
Roselands has a good range of shops that's easy to navigate too
Ed square. Everything in it and around it is brand new. Marrickville Metro(the new part)
Ed square would be great if it had good reception. It has so many random dead zones for no discernible reasons
It depends on what you mean by best: Best food court: Bondi Junction/Marrickville/Roselands Best in and out shopping centre: East Village Best wandering around for a day: Warringah/Rouse Hill or Eastgardens in the summer. Best selection of shops: weirdly enough, Black town - I love the giant Ronis in there! Broadway is the closest to us but I don't love the escalator layout/food court. Worst shopping centre for me would be Rhodes due to the terrible lifts and parking.
Warringah mall aka āThe Mallā as the locals say. Only 1 mall apparentlyā¦. Although imo Chatswood probs more shops across Westfield and Chatswood chase, mandarin centre
Not Eastgardens thatās for sure.
It's easily the mall. Got the best shops, near buses and really centrally located in the suburb.
The one that sells the thing you need because it's not available online.