Variety of sizes available and very much affordable. Located in the perfect area for shoppingread more

I love Big W. I like how it is conveniently placed above Woolworths. It has escalators and a lift…read moreif you have heavy bags. I wish they would make a security system so you could take their basket trolleys (which can't leave Big W) and supply you with regular trolleys to take down to Woolworths to shop there vice versa . I hate carrying bags. I had to buy a granny's trolley for this purpose. I wish they had a underground carpark or something because how are you gonna take your purchases home? I either have to walk far to my car or catch a cab from the cab rank which is thankfully nearby. There are buses and trains but the who wants to wait at a bus stop with all their things? Also buses can be unreliable. The train station is about a ten minute walk up the hill so no go for me. If they had more parking areas and let you take the basket trolleys into the food court I would buy more and heavier things. Unfortunately most things on the Big W website are unavailable to get delivered? Almost makes me wonder what's the point, except I suppose being able to see what they sell. Big store, lots of variety, good prices but not as dirt cheap as Kmart. I would give 5 stars if they didn't always run out of basket trolleys at Big W and Woolworths! Woolworths have regular metal trolleys but usually run out too with the annoying insert coin security system. I don't know how your expected to use the trolley and then catch a cab. How are you going to return the trolly to bay to get your $1/$2 back? Oh well. There are barely any lines at Big W unlike Woolworths and they have self service checkout there. Oh, and only spread over two levels, not three.

From the entrance, Kathmandu looks like a little like Colarado selling stylish travel and sporting…read moreclothes but people who love the great outdoors will vouch that Kathmandu is for serious travellers. When I backpacked around Europe, this is the store where I bought all my thermals, travel jacket, micro-towel, cycling gloves and seriously daggy cycling pants (the ones which have extra padding around the bum). For once I didn't shop around and just paid the premium for quality equipment which lasted me the entire year I was trekking through Europe. I've still got all my travel equipment stashed in the top of my wardrobe somewhere - they'll probably fall to bits if I decide to make another trip but I just can't let go. For all you intrepid travellers out there, trek to Kathmandu first before attempting the world.

If you need anything at all to do with rock climbing or mountaineering, Pinnacle is the place to…read morego. Information, instruction, equipment, perhaps an expedition to Mt Everest, they have it all. The guys at Pinnacle have years of experience climbing and trekking and are keen to share their love of climbing with anyone who walks in the door. Their rock climbing courses are great for beginners and more advanced climbers wanting to develop their skills. They do them down at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane's famed outdoor rockclimbing cliffs and they start from around $300 for a six-week course. The best thing about the courses is that everyone who does one is able to come along to the free social climbing events Pinnacle puts on every week, usually down at the cliffs. They're great for keeping up your climbing skills and meeting other people with a love of climbing. They also have all the equipment you could ever need for climbing and trekking and the expertise to help you put together your own kit.

From the owner: Pinnacle Sports specialise in everything Rock Climbing!…read more Equipment: We offer a huge range of rock climbing abseiling and mountaineering equipment at great prices. Adventures: Pinnacle Sports can take you climbing locally and overseas - our guide have nationally recognised training and will provide you with a great experience. Training: Want to know how to set up your own ropes or get out of a dangerous situation? Pinnacle offers training to a nationally recognised level starting at a beginner level through to an advanced level. Industrial: Pinnacle has a huge range of industrial roping equipment.

I reckon I can count on one hand the number of good outdoor gear stores in Brisbane and this is…read moredefinitely one of them. It has the best trekking gear and although I'm more of a couch potato Trekkie than mountain climbing trekker, I bought a great pair of boots for a trip three years ago that are still going strong. Outdoor junkies like my mountain climbing cousins don't mind paying the fairly high prices for the expert gear, but I'll wait for the sales thanks. It's well worth it, with lots of stock between a third and half off regular prices at mid-year and in the new year.

My dad requires outdoor gear for his job and so growing up, I'd always get dragged along to stores…read morelike Columbia or Mountain Designs. Even now, he may invite me for coffee in the Valley, we'd end up walking and talking and before I know it, I'm inside Mountain Designs. This is the only way to go 'shopping' with dad, is if you take him to the only stores he likes. If it's not electronics, its outdoor gear. And if it's not Columbia is Mountain Design. Mountain Design is the Valley is quite the store. It isn't big like Anaconda, but it has most of the clothing required for different environments. Whether you need something for below 0 temperatures, which my dad does, you can find it here. There are plenty of different styles of shoes to suit difficult terrain and they've got the good insulation socks to prevent you from frostbite. Mountain Design also stock some seriously insulated snow jackets, which can only be found at reputable stores like this in the Valley. Also, if you regularly buy clothing here, it is worth signing up to their Alliance Club so you can take advantage of some good discounts.

Opened in 1993 (if memory serves rightly) this skate shop has served the people of Brisbane for all…read moretheir action-sporting needs. Boasting a decent range of clothing and footwear without overwhelming you with unnecessary threads. They have taken the time to find what is in season and cut away the fat to serve you only the best. Here you'll also find an array of decks, along with everything you'll need to customise the perfect ride. Keep in mind that it's not only skateboards but scooters, ice skates, roller blades, back packs and the safety equipment. All out on display and ready for you to check it out. This store finds the impeccable equilibrium of rebellion and order. Maintaining its roots in the subculture while understanding there must be method in the madness. While a half-basement, this store provides plenty of lighting and an eye catching window display. The staff are some of the coolest people I got to meet in Brisbane, happy to chat and joke around while providing expert knowledge and assistance. There is little doubt in my mind that you will find a better skate shop within the CBD.

From the owner: Australia's largest online skate shop. Stockists of skateboarding, inline skating and inline/ice…read morehockey products.