Attention everyone, I have a community service announcement to make. Mountain Ash is one very cool…read moreshop. It is kind of like those websites that list things kids born in particular decades would remember. For example, kids born in the nineties should remember those little beanbag type toys called 'slammers'. They had funny expressions on their faces and would bleat little sayings when you slammed them. Anyway, this shop has an abundance of things that reminded me of my years in the nineties. There were those groovy semi-circle popper things that I used to set up on the ground and then wait anxiously for it to pop and scare me. It was very tempting to get a few set up around the shop but I managed to restrain myself. As well as all these groovy, childhood-memory-inducing items there were also some really nice accessories. I bought a pair of fluoro pink sunglasses that for only $14.95 even came with a carry bag. I also found a gorgeous blue leather wallet but at $289 I quickly put it down. The customer service in here was amazing and I had a great conversation with the shop owner Nina. She was lovely and for the half hour or so that I was in the shop she ensured I felt comfortable at all times. It is a great place to pick out a unique present or gift. Kids will love it for what to them are a heap of unique toys and adults will love the visit because there are a heap of things from their younger days to enjoy.

The Real Thing Craft Centre Olinda was definitely not what I was expecting. Seeing the word 'craft'…read moreI immediately though 'oh yes, pipe cleaners, paint and scrapbooking supplies'... however this was definitely not what I found inside. Instead I walked into the first of five distinct areas, which was full of Christmas decorations and a nice big Christmas tree even though it was only September. That struck me as a little odd but I continued on. The next area had plates and garden decorations, which looked as though they might have been hand made though I couldn't be sure. There were a lot of delicate items and narrow walkways so I'd be careful bringing in prams or carrying big bags in here. The third section had a whole heap of touristy Australian objects like miniature koalas and even a few didgeridoos. My favourite items in this section were some brown mugs that had all manner of bizarre expressions on their 'faces'. At $18.50 I thought they were a little bit pricey but if they were hand made it seems to be quite a reasonable price. The next are had a heap of toy dolls and bears that sang songs when you pressed or pulled one of their body parts. These were being greatly enjoyed by a group of women who were laughing in delight at the range of songs the dolls were singing. The last area was home to large animal floor rugs, children's toys and more outdoor garden decorations. Despite it being nothing like what I thought it would be, the store itself was varied and interesting and I enjoyed exploring it.

Loved this place! We were in town on a tour (from a cruise). Stopped here and appreciated the…read morevariety of items, found some things that needed to travel with us and had a lovely conversation with the woman (owner?). Happy to have stopped there.

One of the best gift shops in the hills, Mangana is like shopping in an old eccentric's house…read more These guys combine gifts and homewares with industrial and period style decorations for those with the coin to afford it. Lamps, frames, clocks and mirrors line the walls, and with so much on display you'd best watch your back to avoid breaking anything. Downstairs you'll find smaller trinkets, jewellery and even a wall full of Ugg Boots and leather hats. I stop in every time I'm in the area, even just for a browse. It's hugely popular with the weekend tourists, and more often than not, packed full of people enjoying the range.

I recently visited Mt Dandenong and accidentally stumbled into this store (okay I was curious…read morethanks to the mounds of people pilling in and out of the front doors). It was like being sucked into a time machine, and transported back into a dusty old attic that was filled to the rim of incredible individual antique items. There were compasses, telescopes, magnifiers, lamps, paintings, posters, books, sculptures, notepads, jewelry and pretty much anything you can think of. Most things were hand crafted and bronze or wooden, this is definitely a very unique and one of a kind type of place. I think I spent an hour in this shop, its not that it was a huge room (it was relatively large though), it's just that every inch of the store has something different and special that just has to be picked up and ogled at. It took a lot of effort to not buy the whole store; I ended up leaving with Dali's melting clock, which gets a lot of notice and compliments in my house.