The stats
Since opening in 1960 it has accumulated 530 stores, making it the biggest shopping centre in Australia.
Surprisingly good places to eat
Make for the communal benches of noodle joint Wagamama or the Spanish delicacies of Tender Trap. Vegetarians can grab a faster snack at Lord of the Fries, while sugar junkies can have a wallow in the Lindt Café or Koko Black. Us? Lock us up in Jones the Grocer’s cheese room and throw away the key!
Surprisingly interesting things to do
It’s fun to people-watch in Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. (And those people you’re watching? They’re probably doing the same thing.) There’s a range of day spas and beauty services, plus in-centre stylists, so if you’re after a one-stop pampering experience, Chaddy is your jam.
Surprisingly good shops
FAT has branches on Brunswick and Chapel Streets; its Chadstone store offers the same range of on-trend casual wear and accessories (think Cheap Monday, Asuza and Status Anxiety). Elsewhere, there are Zara and Apple stores and a fresh food wing featuring Jones the Grocer. Try not to let your mouth water as you browse the imported artisan groceries, freshly baked pastries or the walk-in cheese room.
When evening comes
Chadstone has several restaurants open until midnight on weekends, and a 17-screen Hoyts Cinema including a luxurious La Premiere theatre. You don’t expect to find a bowling alley in every shopping centre you visit, but there’s one here – an AMF centre with 24 lanes, an amusement centre and even glow in the dark bowling. It’s open until late daily.
In the area
With easy access via the Monash Freeway and Warrigal Road, Chadstone is smack-bang in the middle of suburbia. There’s not much within walking distance, but it’s a short drive from Brighton Beach, Elsternwick’s historic Rippon Lea House & Gardens and the bars and nightlife of St Kilda.