Brisbane wears its sunshine well. Queensland’s river city rolls out a glittering waterfront, lush parklands and a cultural scene that’s lively without trying too hard. Old timber verandas sit comfortably beside sleek glass towers; neighbourhoods feel distinct yet connected, a little village energy wrapped in big-city confidence. And tucked into all that brightness? A soft spot for the past—right where you’d least expect it.
Across the city you’ll find antique dens where history isn’t hushed behind glass; it’s stacked, styled, and begging to be touched. From the heritage swagger of the Ipswich Antique Centre to the playful, retro mix at Relove Oxley, and the polished grace of Albion Antiques & Associates, Brisbane proves it knows how to keep good stories in circulation.
Hunting a mid-century sideboard, a box of vinyl with crackle, or that one perfect brooch? These shops deliver the thrill of discovery with a side of nostalgia—plus a few surprises you didn’t know you needed. Grab a coffee, leave room in the boot, and come wander Brisbane’s must-visit antique spots with us.
1. Southside Antiques Centre: One of the best antique shops in Brisbane
Southside Antiques Centre was the kind of place you meant to “just pop into” and somehow lost an hour—two, if you were honest. A Brisbane landmark since 1983 and shepherded by the McGuigan family from 1986, it sprawled over multiple levels at Annerley Junction, the cabinets gleaming like little stage sets. More than 150 of them, stuffed with porcelain and china, sterling silver that caught the light, dolls with faintly mischievous expressions, toy cars, vinyl with lovely crackle, and furniture that still smelled faintly of polish and cedar. You could browse, sure, but the real fun was the feeling that history had decided to hang out in one room and gossip.
The militaria section was its heartbeat for many: ANZAC and First World War pieces that drew in serious collectors and the merely curious. Medals with ribbons softened by time, sepia photographs, sweetheart brooches—“love pins,” as regulars would say—proof that memory can be small enough to tuck in a palm. Staff knew their stuff without making a fuss about it; they’d chat provenance, steer you from impulse to investment (or, occasionally, back again), and somehow remember what you’d been hunting for six months earlier. Friendly? Absolutely. Unpretentious, too.
Practicalities were part of the charm. Shipping could be arranged—local, interstate, overseas—so the beautiful headache of “how do I get this home?” didn’t have to end the romance. And the location helped: cafés and bakeries within a short amble, which meant you could break for a flat white, then circle back for the piece you couldn’t stop thinking about.
Southside closed its doors in late 2024—an end of an era, truly—but its legacy still lingers in Brisbane’s antique ecosystem. The eye it trained, the tastes it shaped, the thrill of discovery it made feel normal… those live on. If you ever found something there that felt like fate, you know exactly what I mean.
Where: 484 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD 4103, Australia
When: permanently closed
2. Camp Hill Antique Centre: The largest Antique Center in Brisbane
You could walk straight past Camp Hill Antique Centre and never guess what’s inside. From the street, it’s an elegant old cinema—restored with just enough nostalgia to make you curious—but step through the doors and it’s like you’ve entered a film set where every era gets a cameo. Spread across more than 1,000 square metres, this place hums with life and texture, a curated chaos pulled together by over 70 dealers who clearly love what they do. Each booth tells a slightly different story: Art Deco glamour here, mid-century chic there, a hint of grandma’s attic just for good measure.
It’s the kind of spot where design lovers and treasure hunters mingle easily, heads tilted, eyes scanning for something they can’t quite name until they see it. Vintage dresses hang beside antique armoires, delicate china next to retro kitchenware, and a few oddities—like a taxidermy fox or a mint-condition typewriter—just to keep things interesting. The dealers themselves are part of the charm: chatty, knowledgeable, and always up for sharing the tale behind a piece. Half the fun is hearing where it came from; the other half is imagining where it’ll go next.
And when your energy starts to fade (because yes, it’s a lot to take in), the TART Café inside the centre has you covered. It’s all mismatched chairs, retro signage and strong coffee—the kind of place where breakfast turns into lunch without you noticing. Locals come just for the café, but most end up wandering the aisles afterward, caught in the gravity of curiosity.
What really sets Camp Hill apart, though, is its sense of community. Regular markets, restoration workshops and live music turn this treasure trove into something more like a gathering place—a social hub disguised as an antique store. Whether you leave with a vintage teacup or a velvet armchair, you’ll carry a little of its charm with you. And odds are, you’ll be back.
Where: 545 Old Cleveland Road, Camp Hill Queensland 4152, Australia
When: Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 17:00 | Saturday – Sunday: 08:00 – 17:00
Website: https://camphillantiquecentre.com/
3. Albion Antiques & Associates: Quality furniture and bric-a-brac
Slip through the doors at 24 Hudson Road and Albion Antiques & Associates opens like a time capsule—quietly dazzling rather than showy, the kind of place where you slow down without meaning to. Founded more than forty years ago by Bill and Valentina, this long-running haven has earned its reputation the old-fashioned way: piece by carefully chosen piece. Spread across more than 1,000 square metres, the floor reads like a conversation between eras—polished Georgian sideboards, jaunty mid-century armchairs, the occasional curiosity that makes you grin and say, “well, that’s coming home with me.”
Valentina’s eye for jewellery is the store’s soft heartbeat. Estate pieces sparkle in glass cases—cameo pendants with tiny profiles, brooches that beg for a silk lapel, cultured pearl drops that feel cool against the skin, diamond rings with the kind of fire you only get from old stones. It’s elegant rather than precious, curated rather than crowded, and somehow still a little romantic. You linger, you try something on, you picture the occasion. Maybe you invent one.
Beyond the jewels and furniture, cabinets brim with character: trays of antique silver that catch the light just so, creamy decorative china, and rich, inky Moorcroft pottery signed with a flourish. History lovers gravitate to the dedicated militaria section—medals, badges, ephemera—small objects that carry big stories and lend the room a museum hush, but not too serious. You’re still shopping, after all.
Part of the magic is the collaborative model: more than 70 specialist dealers bring their best finds, so the mix keeps evolving. Come back next month and it will feel familiar yet freshly stocked—dangerous for self-control, great for serendipity. Practicalities are thoughtfully covered too, with restoration, upholstery and professional appraisals on offer to keep beloved pieces looking sharp and correctly valued. Set in lively Albion, the store is an easy add-on to a coffee run—or the main event. Either way, expect to leave with something: a treasure, a story, at the very least a plan to return.
Where: 24 Hudson Road, Albion Queensland 4010, Australia
When: Tuesday – Saturday : 10:00 – 15:00 or by appointment
Website: https://www.albionantiques.com.au/
4. Relove Oxley: Brisbane’s vintage wonderland
If vintage, retro and a dash of “where on earth did you find that?” light you up, Relove Oxley will feel like home. Tucked at 62 Blunder Road in Oxley, the store sprawls through corrugated-iron industrial sheds—charming and a little rugged, the perfect backdrop for treasure hunting. Partners Jason and James built this place with magpie instincts and serious flair, and it shows. Two floors brim with personality: think vintage Matchbox cars lined up like tiny time machines, sturdy Bakelite kitchenware in glossy hues, mahogany side tables with a gentle patina, even Art Deco cupboards that practically wink.
Downstairs is the busy heart—crystal wine glasses that catch the light, graphic vintage posters, old-school Pokémon cards that tug at childhood, crates of second-hand vinyl, and rails of era-hopping clothing. Head upstairs and the mood softens into fashion finds, children’s wear, plush vintage toys and the kind of stuffed animals you swear you’ve met before. Affordable glam next to casual basics; it’s a mash-up that works, somehow perfectly.
And because good browsing needs good caffeine, there’s an in-house coffee lounge that’s way more than an afterthought. Slide into red booths crafted from recycled pallets, set your cup on a turf-topped crate table, and order Veneziano coffee with a slice of Byron gourmet cake—or the homemade banana bread if you’re that person (no judgment; it’s excellent). The whole space doubles as a community hub, championing local sellers and giving small operators room to shine. Keep an eye out for The Purple Bedroom—one of the standout tenants adding extra colour to the mix.
You’ll come for a quick look and end up plotting shelf space at home. Happens all the time.
Where: 113 Oxley Station Road, Oxley Queensland 4075, Australia
When: Tuesday – Sunday: 08:00 – 16:00
Website: https://shop.reloveoxley.com/
5. Commercial Road Antiques: Brisbane’s hidden treasure
Tucked just off the pretty laneways of Teneriffe, Commercial Road Antiques (once the New Farm Antique Centre) hides in plain sight inside a red-brick wool store that still wears its history on the walls. Step in and the space unfolds—sprawling, a little labyrinthine—into themed rooms curated by around 35 dealers. It’s a choose-your-own-era adventure: colonial sideboards with quiet gravitas, gleaming Art Deco curves, post-war pieces with clean lines and optimism baked in. Between cabinets you’ll spot militaria, old silver that throws back the light, and rails of vintage fashion that rustle with stories.
Displays change often—dangerously often—so every visit brings something unexpected. One week it’s an imposing deep-sea diving bell; the next, trays of estate jewellery that glint like a secret; then a corner of tribal art that stops you mid-stride. The building itself does half the seduction: ironbark columns, timber-framed windows, the soft creak of age underfoot. It feels like time travel with better lighting.
Part of the joy here is location. You’re in the heart of the Teneriffe precinct, minutes from cafés, bars and heritage walks, which makes browsing feel like an afternoon properly spent. Prices are fair, the selection broad, and the standards high without being snooty. Decorators, architects, set designers—anyone who chases character—treat it like a resource. Antique lovers? They just call it a favorite. Bring curiosity (and maybe a tape measure). You’ll use both.
Where: 85 Commercial Road, Teneriffe Queensland 4005, Australia
When: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00 | Sunday: 10:00 – 16:00
Website: https://www.instagram.com/newfarmantiquecentre/
7. Ipswich Antique Centre: A Historic Treasure in South East Queensland
Tucked inside a beautifully restored heritage-listed building from 1895, the Ipswich Antique Centre feels less like a shop and more like a love letter to history. The red-brick façade, the pressed metal ceilings, the polished cedar counters—it all tells a story before you’ve even begun to browse. Opened in 2010, the centre was brought to life by owners with decades of experience in the antique trade, and their touch shows in every detail. What could’ve been just another retail space has become a time capsule that the community treasures—both for its architecture and its atmosphere.
The building’s careful restoration is half the magic. Step inside and you’ll find original features that have been lovingly preserved, from timber floors that creak underfoot to tall sash windows flooding the rooms with golden Queensland light. Front and centre stands a large cedar haberdashery counter and a late 19th-century shipping clerk’s desk by the Derby Desk Company of the USA—pieces that wouldn’t look out of place in a museum. Yet here, they’re part of the welcome.
Beyond the craftsmanship of the space itself, it’s what’s inside that makes this place worth the drive from Brisbane. Several specialist dealers fill the centre with an impressively broad range: Australian, country and English furniture; vintage fashion and jewellery; rare Australian pottery; and film memorabilia that sparks instant nostalgia. There’s even a retro room for those who prefer their history with a bit of attitude—think bold colours, chrome trims and mid-century flair.
Locals come for the authenticity, collectors come for the finds, and first-time visitors often leave wishing they’d cleared more car space. Whether you’re after a statement piece or just the quiet thrill of discovery, the Ipswich Antique Centre delivers a journey through Queensland’s past—beautifully preserved and still very much alive.
Where: 86 East Street, Ipswich Central, Queensland, 4305, Australia
When: Thursday – Monday: 10:00 – 17:00
Website: https://www.ipswichantiquecentre.com.au/
6. Kittens Vintage Mackay: A nostalgic treasure trove
Follow the scent of polished timber and fresh coffee to Kitten Vintage Mackay, a riverside warren of memories perched on the Pioneer River in North Queensland. Owned by a seasoned interior decorator with 30+ years under her belt, the shop feels curated with both taste and mischief—twelve distinct rooms that each play a different era on repeat. One minute you’re under the soft glow of an elegant Art Deco bedroom, the next you’re tracing routes across the Gentleman’s Map Room, fingers grazing old globes and well-traveled leather. Most pieces echo the 1930s through the 1950s, when shapes were bold, craftsmanship was king, and even the smallest clasp or button had a little flourish. It’s immersive without being precious, like rummaging through a stylish relative’s attic—if that relative had impeccable lighting and a knack for storytelling.
What makes it sing is how local it all feels. Stock is sourced from the region, which keeps prices fair and the provenance interesting—items come with place, not just patina. Service is delightfully personal: the team remembers what you were eyeing last time, steers you toward a better fit, and somehow resists rushing you even when you’re dithering (we’ve all been there). Then there are the resident cats, Pip and Biscuit, who glide through the rooms with the kind of authority only shop cats possess—half mascots, half mood-setters. When your attention starts to wander—sensory overload is real—the cosy downstairs café reels you back with homestyle coffee and warm scones that make “just a quick look” turn into an afternoon. The owner’s talent for reviving old treasures shows up in the details: a reupholstered chair done properly, a repaired hinge you don’t notice until you do, displays that make you rethink what belongs with what.
It’s no surprise Kitten Vintage Mackay racks up glowing reviews; people gush about the eclectic mix and the way time seems to slow inside. The best advice? Don’t rush. Linger. Open the drawers, read the inscriptions, follow the cats. Every corner has a piece that jogs a memory or sparks a want you can’t quite explain—until you’re at the counter, grinning, already picturing exactly where it’ll live at home.
Where: 78 Harbour Rd, North Mackay QLD 4740, Australia
When: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Website: https://kittenvintagemackay.com.au/
If you’re looking for the best flea markets and antique shops in Brisbane, we’ve got just the place for you! Check out fleamapket.com for an in-depth tour of the Queen City of the North and Queensland.
Book your stay in Brisbane, QLD
Booking your stay in Brisbane? Go with your gut—but also, think about your vibe. If you want to be in the mix, the CBD puts you right in the thick of things: shops, riverside strolls, buzzing cafés, and transport that actually runs on time. It’s convenient, no doubt, but it can feel a bit… businessy. For something slower, maybe prettier, Kangaroo Point has that quiet charm—river views, leafy streets, and a short walk (or ferry hop) from the action. Then there’s Fortitude Valley. It’s not for everyone, but if nightlife’s your thing—late bars, live gigs, a proper scene—it might be your spot. Just bring earplugs. And patience. South Bank? Great for families or anyone who wants markets, museums, and a beach—yes, a beach—in the middle of the city. Bottom line: Brisbane’s spread out, so choose a place that matches your pace. And yeah, book it early.