Tips for shopping at Christmas!

News

07 November 2025

As the Christmas season approaches, we find ourselves caught in the delightful whirlwind of festivity and joy. Amid the glittering lights and cheerful carols, we understand that navigating the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping can be a task in itself.

In the spirit of making your Christmas a touch more joyful and a lot less stressful, we’ve gathered some invaluable tips for visiting our centre. Whether you’re navigating the gift aisles, planning festive feasts, or simply soaking in the merry atmosphere, The Plaza is here to guide you with practical advice to ensure your holiday shopping experience is filled with ease and delight.

For every Christmas, let The Plaza be your partner in turning the holiday frenzy into a joyous and seamless celebration.

 

When to visit

With an increased amount of people choosing to shop at this time of year, naturally we have an increased traffic flow throughout the centre and the carparks. It’s important to note that sometimes the traffic is from a large visitation to our carparks, however sometimes the traffic is on the surrounding streets and in traffic light phasing; something we have limited control over.

If you want to make things easier then we recommend the best time to visit is when we open each day (see our opening hours here) and in the two hours before we close. We find our quietest days are on Monday and Tuesdays in the morning or on our late nights. Our busiest times are during the weekends and lunchtimes every weekday.

For your convenience, we have also extended our hours to provide more time and flexibility for you to find that prefect Christmas gift. See these here.

Where to park

We have a variety of carparks, which are accessible to different areas of the centre, but we’ve outlined the key areas you might wish to visit at this time of year.

  • If you’re looking for Countdown then we recommend parking in Carpark 1, entry from Ferguson Street.
  • If you’re looking for Farmers, we recommend parking in Carpark 2 entry from Princess Street.
  • If you’re looking for help and assistance, the carpark closest to our customer service desk is Carpark 1, entry from Ferguson Street or Fitzherbert Avenue.

How to get here and how to find a carpark:

You can view our centre map here for directions.

What to do

Santa is here from the 5 December – you can book your visit here

Gift Wrapping for charity will be on offer for a gold coin donation, find out more here.

Grab a Bite While You Shop

After ticking off your Christmas shopping list, take a break and enjoy a delicious meal or treat at one of our 12 fantastic food outlets. Whether you’re after a quick coffee, a sweet snack, or a full meal, we’ve got something for everyone:

  • Cafés for a cozy pause: Columbus Coffee and Muffin Break are perfect for a barista-made coffee and a fresh muffin or pastry. They also have some great lunch options available.
  • Food Court flavours from around the world:
    • Ko Ko Dak – Korean fried chicken goodness
    • Shamiana – Fragrant curries and Indian favourites
    • Tank – fresh smoothies and healthy wraps and bowls
    • Kabbaba – Mediterranean wraps and kebabs
    • McDonald’s – Classic comfort food
    • King Pow – Vietnamese Roti, Pho and more
    • Buns and Rolls – Vietnamese specialties
    • O@Bowl – Japanese bowls
    • Sushi – fresh and tasty rolls

With so many choices, you’ll find the perfect spot to refuel and keep the festive energy going!

We’re also here to help from 9am every day, please feel free to call our customer service team on 06 358 1989, otherwise, feel free to chat to us here on our Facebook page.

Please remember to be patient and kind to everyone you meet! Our lovely retail staff and centre teams will do their best to look after you.

At Christmas, it shouldn’t be about stress and worry. Christmas is about sharing with and giving your time to family, fur family, friends and loved ones, and however we can, or however you do it, we’re here for every kind of Christmas.