Second Hand City | Exploring Brisbane's Suburbs

As a backpacker, my pockets are tight and so are the buckles of my rucksack. Anything I buy is a careful consideration. Price, use, size… various thoughts swirl and conflict. When I do decide to invest in something, I’ll rarely purchase it firsthand – financial and environmental sustainability go hand in hand here! Since arriving in the city, I’ve justified several purchases from ‘op shops’. Like everything, Australians have shortened their term for a charity shop – ‘opportunity shop’ – into something jazzier. I’ve particularly enjoyed the side effects of shopping, too: discovering new areas of the city and spending time with new friends.

Paddington

The first suburb I explored in search of second hand shops was Paddington. I went with a friend, and we wandered the three main op shops at a leisurely pace, commenting on the niceness of the area, the tempting places to drink at. I had recently moved into my share house, and was keen to purchase something small to add a bit more homeliness to the room that will be mine for a few months. We scouted rails of clothes, considering items for work uniforms, comparing lengths against ourselves. The Red Cross shop had lots of products that must have been donated straight from a nearby high street as several matching items still bore their original tags. It was there, amongst the bookshelves, I found the little trinket dish that has become the designated home for my house key. For just $3, I thought it a worthy investment to make the space a bit more mine.

We walked up towards a vintage store my friend had seen, admiring the view of the city on the way. Inside the ginormous, warehouse-like building, we explored collections of various artefacts: books, antiques, cushions, plants, jewellery, and more. The space was fascinating – large and cluttered and definitely full of treasures (and cursed goods!). 

Fortitude Valley

I went to Fortitude Valley to source some trousers for work. Alongside a couple of good op shops, the Valley (as it is known in Brisbane) is home to several aesthetic lanes filled with coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. I enjoyed sipping coffee as I journalled in Bakery Lane, wandering through California Lane, and browsing stationery in Stash World at the end of Winn Lane. 

West End

On the south side of the river is Brisbane’s West End. West End is filled with fun stores, eateries, and bars. I recently went for brunch with some new friends at Grown. I enjoyed a tofu burger and a flat white and found myself very impressed with their allergy system. Even though you order online through a QR code (which can be difficult for people with allergies!), they have a section when you order to tick your allergens, and further sections to add notes. This was made even better when the waiter clarified the allergy as he gave me my food. 

My new friends and I spent the early afternoon in and out of the op shops, book stores, and more, browsing and chatting. In one shop, the woman there asked if we were all school friends, commenting positively on our group energy. It was funny to tell her that most of us had only met that day! 

I’ve enjoyed exploring more of Brisbane, outside of the CBD. Each area has its own personality and it’s fun to discover how that is expressed, and to find goods and memories along the way.