Christmas is just a few days away. And so is the most awaited shopping bargain of the year, Boxing Day. You most probably have your list of items ready. Going on a shopping spree is fun, especially when great deals and amazing discounts are on offer. Taking your stuff home on public transport is another matter entirely. If you’re planning to buy a lot and include larger items as well, it is recommended to bring a car. With only a few establishments open, where can you park your car on Boxing Day?

In Melbourne, there are some basic parking rules and exemptions during holidays but it can be downright confusing. To avoid trouble and paying a fine, it is better to park in facilities provided by the mall or rent a guaranteed parking space. Shopping can be more enjoyable if you are able to park and walk straight to the shops instead of driving around trying to find the best spot to park your ride. In this article, we’ve gathered essential Boxing Day details from a list of shopping centres that will be open and their trading hours down to their parking fee. We hope that this will help Melburnians get the best deals, not just on sale items but also with the parking options. This is our hassle-free Boxing Day parking guide.

What’s open?

Melbourne is known for its shopping, so we’ve narrowed down the list to the top malls to shop in on Boxing Day. These shops offer big discounts, exciting promotions and great deals on fashion, technology, homewares, holidays and electronics every year. Take your pick and check out their trading hours on December 26 below:                                                        

• Melbourne Central – 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

• Highpoint Shopping Centre – 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM

• Westfield Doncaster  – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

• Chadstone Shopping Centre – 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

• DFO South Wharf – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

• Northland Shopping Centre – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

• Westfield Southland – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Some shops on Swanston Street, Southgate, Chapel Street, Clarendon Street, South Melbourne and Bridge Road, Richmond are open on Boxing Day but they have various trading hours. It is best to check their websites or speak to individual shops directly for more specific store hours and parking details.

Where to park?

Since not all shops and commercial buildings are open on Boxing Day, it is important to plan ahead and know where you can conveniently park your car. Available parking spaces would usually be within the shopping centre premises. We’ve listed down the shopping centres’ parking information on December 26 from their websites for those ready to visit these shopping malls to take advantage of this once-a-year discount sale.

Melbourne Central is one of Melbourne’s larger shopping centres that sports big retail names such as A|X Armani Exchange, Alannah Hill, Calvin Klein Jeans, Colette, David Lawrence, Espirit and FCUK. Melbourne Central car park can be accessed via Lonsdale and La Trobe streets with a standard rate of $16 per hour. The car park opens at 7AM.

Highpoint is a shopping centre located in Maribyrnong. This mall carries brands such as Adidas, Apple, Bonds, Cue, David Jones, Dick Smith and more. All day parking spots can be accessed from Warrs Road, Aquatic Drive and Rosamond Road for free. Throughout the month of December, Highpoint Shopping Centre provides additional parking spaces accessible through Rosamond and Wattle Roads, next to Bunnings.

Formally known as Doncaster Shopping Town, Westfield Doncaster is the go-to shopping place in the area. It is located between Doncaster Road and Williamsons Road. The store offers discounts and deals even before Boxing Day. They carry brands such as Myers, David Jones and a lot more. This Westfield branch offers ticketless parking. The first 3 hours is free, after which you pay $3 after 30 minutes. The maximum daily rate is $30.

Chadstone Shopping Centre is the biggest shopping centre in Australia, located on Dandenong Road. Also known colloquially as "Chaddy" and often referred to as the fashion capital with brand names like Chanel, Burberry, Prada and Tiffany & Co. Chaddy offers free car parking spaces with family friendly and special needs spaces, as well as lifts.

Direct Factory Outlets in South Wharf, simply known as DFO South Wharf, is located in the Melbourne CBD and next to the Docklands. It houses brands including Fossil, Country Road, Converse, Peter Alexander, Burberry and more. The DFO South Wharf open air car park is managed by a third party parking company with an hourly rate of $10 and a maximum daily rate of $40.

Northland Shopping Centre is the largest predominantly single-level retail shopping centre in Melbourne. Northland is on Murray Road in Preston. They've got heaps of on-trend brands like Espirit, Glue, Forever New, Industrie and Lorna Jane. Parking is free.

Westfield Southland is a super regional retail complex located in the suburb of Cheltenham. It is one of the biggest shopping centres in Australia by floor area. Westfield Southland carries big brands like Myer, David Jones and Harris Scarfe amongst others. Just like Westfield Doncaster, Southland operates a ticketless parking with the first 3 hours free. Pay $3 on the fourth hour and the maximum day rate is $18.

Other parking options?

Shoppers will automatically choose to park with mall premises as it is the most convenient option. You do not have to walk far to get to your car and relieve yourself of your heavy shopping bags. But because these parking facilities are very accessible and with the high parking demand on Boxing Day, there is a high possibility of a longer waiting period for you to get parked. Other parking facilities by third parties offer alternate parking spaces within the area. However, these are often a little pricey with a maximum day rate (7+ hours) of around $40. Other parking facilities will usually be closed for business on Boxing Day, as it is a public holiday.

A parking sharing platform called Parkhound offers both affordable and convenient alternative parking solution. Parkhound is a community marketplace, joining people with spaces with those who seek a cost-effective, hassle-free parking solution. Parkhound offers both long and short-term parking options for a fraction of the price. Get guaranteed parking spots by booking your parking space online in advance. You can choose from the list of carports, driveways and garages that are open 24hrs a day, including the holidays. Parking near Melbourne Central costs $16 per hour. With Parkhound, an all day parking just a minute away from the mall is only $11. If you would like a little extra spending money or would like to support your community of shoppers, rent your space on the Parkhound platform for free.

The biggest shopping day of the year is just around the corner. It’s the perfect opportunity to buy a new pair of shoes, a new smartphone, a new cozy sofa or that dollhouse your daughter has been asking you about for the past year. Whatever you plan on buying, make sure you have room for all of these items at home. If you need a little extra space to store old items with sentimental or monetary value or just to make room for new purchases, let Spacer find you the most affordable and convenient storage solutions you’ll need this new year. Check out our website for spaces in your area.

You are all set for another Boxing Day shopping spree adventure. We hope that our parking guide will help you find that perfect parking spot that is both convenient and affordable.

From all of us here at Spacer, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

Source(s):

Boxing Day Sales in Melbourne 2017, https://www.finder.com.au/boxing-day-sales-melbourne

What’s Open and When this Christmas, http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/whats-open-and-when-this-christmas/news-story/fd546d5889d0923df82dbd20e1981b2a

Public Holiday Parking, http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/public-holiday-parking-follow-the-rules-to-ensure-you-dont-get-caught-out-20161225-gthupe.html