There's something for everyone at the Designer Op Shop Emporium.
04 December 2025
In Brief:
- This article lists op shops and thrift stores selling second-hand goods across Canberra.
- It includes some benefits of buying second-hand instead of new.
- It also looks at different ways you can support the Canberra community.
Looking for that perfect outfit, a cute vase or comfy chair?
There’s no need to shop for something new. Canberra has lots of great thrift stores for everyone.
Thrifting is more than just a trend – it’s a smart and sustainable way to shop. Australians are embracing second-hand fashion, as well as repairing clothes and reselling items to extend their life.
Why is buying second-hand is important
- It reduces waste and pollution.
- It can save you money – second-hand items are usually cheaper than those bought new.
- It supports the community – the money goes back into supporting local people and services, many of which are charities.
- It encourages re-use. Op shopping can be part of a more sustainable way of living, helping reduce the 222,000+ tonnes of clothing that ends up in landfill each year.
What can you find in Canberra’s thrift stores?
It may be more of a case of what can’t you find? Local thrift stores stock a wealth of items, including:
- furniture
- clothing, including designer pieces
- gardening and outdoor equipment
- electrical goods
- bikes, skateboards, scooters, including those for kids
- antiques.
Hunting for a bargain, a vintage treasure or just want to shop more sustainably? Check out this list of Canberra thrift stores.
Be sure to check opening times before you head in.
Another Chance Op Shop – Cnr Ross Smith Crescent & McIntosh Street Scullin
A local second-hand favourite. Shop clothing, linen, books, toys, kitchenware, artwork and bric-a-brac.
Barney’s Boutique – 10 Charnwood Place Charnwood
A small, friendly op shop with lots of hidden treasures, including clothing, books and household items.
Goodbyes – Unit 17/27 Lonsdale Street Braddon
A second-hand clothing and accessories store with a resale service for all your designer goods. It’s currently located in four states and territories around Australia.
The Green Shed Underground – 34 East Row Canberra City
A bustling second-hand store known for quality clothing and convenient collections. Take your time, explore and support a more sustainable future.
Up-Opping@Limestone – Ainslie Church of Christ, 82 Limestone Avenue Ainslie
Shop a huge range of quality clothing, shoes, toys, household goods and more. There’s everything from modern jewellery to kitchen items that spark nostalgia.
Book Lovers Lane – Fyshwick Markets, 36 Mildura Street Fyshwick
Lifeline Canberra’s permanent store offers books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, comics and more. Stock from their popular bookfairs is refreshed daily, so there’s always something new to discover.
Down Memory Lane – 34 Geelong Street Fyshwick
A family-owned favourite. It specialises in buying and selling antique, vintage and retro items. These include clothing, furniture, collectibles and books.
Dirty Janes – 80b Collie Street Fyshwick
For lovers of antiques, vintage treasures and handcrafted pieces. Dirty Janes offers a thoughtfully curated collection and a warm, community-focused shopping experience.
Designer Op Shop Emporium – 1 Lyell Street Fyshwick
A collective of passionate small businesses, each specialising in a diverse range of unique collectibles. Shop pre-loved designer fashion, vintage and retro treasures, interiors, luxury consignment and more.
Material Pleasures – 3 Barrier Street Fyshwick
A specialist second-hand store buying and selling recent designer pieces. Visit this popular shop to discover designer labels and unique finds from emerging talent.
Pandora's at O'Connor Pre-loved Fashion – St Philip's Anglican Church, cnr Moorhouse & Macpherson Streets O'Connor
Just a short walk from the O’Connor shops, this small op shop is tucked away but bursting with second-hand treasures.
Weston Creek Presbyterian Opp Shoppe – Weston Creek Presbyterian Church, Mahony Court, Weston
Stop by and check out some cool second-hand finds, including clothes and books.
Salvation Army (the Salvos) – Braddon, Fyshwick, Tuggeranong, Belconnen, Weston, Gungahlin, Mitchell (Individual shop details on the Salvation Army website)
The Salvos have some of the biggest op-shops in Canberra, with something for everyone. You can find second-hand furniture, clothes, toys, homewares, linens and much, much more.
Australian Red Cross – 165 City Walk Canberra and 20 Bradley Street Phillip
Pay a visit for good-quality clothes and accessories. The Phillip store mostly sells clothes and shoes, but there’s also a small section with books and toys.
St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) – Narrabundah, Braddon, Dickson, Mitchell, Belconnen, Phillip, Weston Creek, Gungahlin, Kippax, Tuggeranong (Individual shop details on the St Vincent de Paul Society website)
These popular stores always offer a large range of clothes, kids’ toys, books and accessories. If you’re out in the evening, the Braddon and Dickson stores are often open until 8:30pm for late-night shopping.
Goodies Junction – Mitchell and Mugga Lane Resource Management Centres
You can find almost anything – books, furniture, kids’ toys, clothes, bikes, outdoor furniture, electronics and more. Drop off things you no longer need and maybe find something new to take home.
Anglicare Retail – 31 Grattan Ct, Wanniassa and 43 Colbee Court Phillip
A great place to go for high-quality recycled clothing. Find second-hand goods like belts, hats and household knick-knacks.
Repair Cafes across Canberra – Bruce, Ginninderry, Hughes, Hawker, Tuggeranong, Watson (Individual event details on the Seechange website)
These community events are held to fix broken household items, so they don’t end up in landfill. Volunteers carry out repairs for free (but you may need to pay for parts). You can also volunteer or learn how to fix things yourself!
Commonly fixed items include clothes, electronics, bikes, toys, tools, blankets and phones. What can be fixed depends on which volunteers are there, so it’s best to check with the organiser first.
THRIFTING EVENTS
Check individual websites for dates.
Lifeline Canberra Bookfairs – Exhibition Park in Canberra and Southern Cross Basketball Stadium, Tuggeranong
Lifeline Bookfairs likely need no introduction. These popular events raise money for local crisis support services.
There are loads of books of all genres, from kids’ books to textbooks and bestsellers to books in other languages. Plus, there are magazines, comics, maps, CDs, DVDs, games and puzzles.
Three Sixty Fashion Market – Fitters Workshop, 21 Wentworth Avenue Kingston
This niche Canberra market is dedicated to sustainable fashion. Stalls sell high-end designer and vintage clothing and accessories, and only quality gently used or new goods are accepted.
Fashion Thrift Society – Exhibition Park in Canberra
‘Australia’s Biggest Curated Fashion Market’, Fashion Thrift Society aims to change the way people shop. It comes to Canberra each year, bringing cool vintage and pre-loved clothes to the capital. Local brands also show their unique styles.
It’s more than shopping; it’s a fun festival with fashion, music and a friendly group of people who love style.
Vintage Kilo Sale – Exhibition Park in Canberra
When this event runs in Canberra, it often sells out. It’s a must if you love shopping for vintage and pre-loved clothes while supporting small businesses. And yep, everything is priced by the kilo. Keep an eye on upcoming events.
WORKPLACE THRIFTS
Why not organise your own clothing swaps at work? Give your team a fun, sustainable way to refresh your wardrobes by exchanging unwanted items.
ONLINE THRIFTING
Facebook Marketplace, Buy, Swap, Sell and second-hand groups are great places to buy and sell your second-hand goods.
Buy and sell on Depop
Using this app, you can find one-of-a-kind fashion pieces you won’t see in regular stores, often at cheaper prices. It encourages people to reuse clothes instead of throwing them away. Plus, it supports small sellers.
Rent a dress
Instead of buying a new dress for a special event you might only wear once, try renting one. It can save you money and is better for the planet.
Many Australian companies offer dress rentals and have large collections of designer outfits for weddings, school formals and parties.
Want the best deal? Protect yourself from scams.
Buying and selling second-hand goods online can be risky if you’re not scam aware.
No matter which platform you're using, it’s important to make sure the buyer or seller is the real deal. Get guidance on selling second-hand goods online.
Learn more about online buying and selling scams.
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