Smits and Bits are hidden down a little alleyway on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Sassafras…read more There are plenty of signs to showcase its presence however so you shouldn't worry about missing it. It is true to its name with plenty of random bits and pieces to choose from. There are garden accessories from the smallest little gnomes to large concrete benches with prices that vary on a similar scale. Music lovers will enjoy their music sheds, which are filled to the brim with old records, CDs, cassettes and posters. There is another shed next to that filled with old books. As a big reading fan I raced over there but found nothing of interest. The prices are awesome for items in these sheds with most items only being around a couple of dollars. As well as the records, books and garden accessories they also have a huge historic dollhouse on display. Even if this is the only thing you come to see your visit will be well worth it. Belonging to Dame Zara Bates the Dollhouse is housed in a little wooden building. If you're afraid of spiders I wouldn't advise looking above head height as there are cobwebs galore near the ceiling...and it has a very low roof. There are also a variety of ceramic plates, clocks and little trinkets for sale in the main store. This is the kind of place where you have to look to see what you want rather than follow the sign leading you to it - so make sure you have an hour or so to visit this one. Smits and Bits are open from 11-4.30 Monday to Friday and 10-5 on weekends.

Tucked away behind the shopfronts in the main street of Sassafras lies Smits And Bits. Walk down…read morethe little alley and you'll find an antique store, record shop and if on a weekend, tourists cooking marshmallows on the huge open fire in the cauldron. As a keen record collector, the records are a bit hit and miss, however if you're like me and don't mind flicking through for a while, you're sure to grab something you'll enjoy. Most of the antiques are more gift oriented than actual antique pieces, and while you may find some of the same fare in the city, the prices here are surprisingly fair for such a touristy market. The common area in the outdoor courtyard has a large cauldron filled with an open fire in winter, and you can toast your self a marshmallow over the flames if the shopping isn't doing it for you.

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.

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.