5 Best Craft Shops in Sydney (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Ratings between the craft shops in Sydney on this page run from 4.6 up to 4.9, and every single one clears 4.5, a rare band of consistency for a category this varied. What separates them isn't quality so much as specialty: paint and brushes, books and stationery, or a heritage hat shop that's been fitting heads since 1876.

Short answer: The top-rated pick is a tie at 4.9 stars between The Sydney Art Store (1,427 reviews) and AKUBRA Hats Strand Arcade (867 reviews), both specialists rather than generalists. For the widest browse, Dymocks Sydney carries the most reviews on the list at 4,086, with staff-led recommendations a recurring theme.

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1. Dymocks Sydney
2. The Sydney Art Store
3. AKUBRA Hats Strand Arc…
4. Pro Art Sydney
5. Eckersley's Art & Craf…
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Sydney's craft shops, side by side

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Dymocks Sydney	4.6 ★	4,086	Books, gifts and browsing	View ›
2	The Sydney Art Store - Art Supplies	4.9 ★	1,427	Serious art supplies	View ›
3	AKUBRA Hats Strand Arcade	4.9 ★	867	Heritage hats and reshaping	View ›
4	Pro Art Sydney	4.8 ★	491	Spray paint and street art supplies	View ›
5	Eckersley's Art & Craft	4.6 ★	457	General art and craft supplies	View ›

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Dymocks Sydney

4.64,086 Google reviews

Dymocks Sydney is a multi-level bookstore on George Street combining a broad book selection with a gift section and an in-store cafe. Alongside general reading, it stocks stationery and gift items, with staff notes placed at shelves for recommendations. It's the largest and most-reviewed shop on this list.

What people praise

Reviewers describe the gift section as particularly fun to browse
Staff shelf notes and in-person recommendations get called out often
The cafe's toasted sandwiches and coffee are a recurring positive mention
Multi-level layout means genuine browsing time, not a quick in-and-out

Worth knowing

The size of the store means it can take longer than planned to get through

Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume4,086 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown71% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed pick here and the best starting point if you want breadth: books, gifts, and stationery under one roof.

Website +61292309000 Directions

424-430 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

The Sydney Art Store - Art Supplies

4.91,427 Google reviews

The Sydney Art Store is a dedicated art-supply retailer in Alexandria, stocking paints, papers, scrapbooking materials, and picture-framing supplies across multiple art styles. It runs both a physical store with on-site parking and an online shop, open seven days a week.

What people praise

Tied for the highest rating on this list at 4.9
Staff repeatedly praised for deep product knowledge across different art styles
Membership program tracks past purchases for regulars
Frequent sales cited by reviewers, including fashion and art students on a budget

Worth knowing

Located in Alexandria rather than central Sydney, so factor in travel time

Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume1,427 · 92th

Confidencevery high

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown94% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick for anyone doing serious art or craft work, with staff expertise that reviewers say goes well beyond a typical retail shop.

Website +61440130190 Directions

7B, Ground floor, 49/59 O'Riordan St, Alexandria NSW 2015

#3🕑 Open 7 days

AKUBRA Hats Strand Arcade

4.9867 Google reviews

AKUBRA Hats Strand Arcade sells the Australian heritage hat brand's full range from a store in the historic Strand Arcade, and also offers reshaping services for existing hats. Staff walk customers through fit and material choices, and the brand has made hats in Kempsey, NSW, since 1876.

What people praise

Tied for the highest rating on this list at 4.9
Multiple reviewers describe staff going out of their way, including delivering a hat to a customer's car
Reshaping service for existing Akubra hats praised as thorough
Knowledgeable guidance on hat care and maintenance

Worth knowing

Stock on specific sizes can run out, requiring a special order

Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume867 · 86th

Confidencevery high

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown93% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A specialty pick rather than a general craft shop, but the service reviewers describe justifies the detour if you want a genuine Akubra.

Website +61400252630 Directions

Strand Arcade 8, 412 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Pro Art Sydney

4.8491 Google reviews

Pro Art Sydney, based in Glebe, specializes in spray paint brands like MTN and AeroArt alongside markers, stickers, and other street-art supplies. It also carries its own in-house paint line and a range of related accessories.

What people praise

Reviewers praise the own-brand spray paint quality specifically
Fast, generous handling of a damaged shipment, including free replacement and extras
Wide range of colors and finishes for street-art and graffiti-style work
Staff described as friendly and consistently helpful over repeat visits

Worth knowing

Smaller review base than the more established names on this list

Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume491 · 81th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown91% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick if spray paint or street-art supplies are what you're after; a narrower focus than the other shops here, but well regarded within it.

Website +61408267814 Directions

96 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037

#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Eckersley's Art & Craft

4.6457 Google reviews

Eckersley's Art & Craft on York Street is part of one of Australia's larger art and craft supply chains, stocking painting, drawing, and craft materials across a wide range of brands and mediums. It operates both in-store and online.

What people praise

Staff repeatedly named individually in reviews for going beyond basic help
Wide range of colors and materials, including specialty items like gold powder
Reviewers specifically credit staff with steering beginners toward the right products
Consistent, friendly service cited across reviews spanning several years

Worth knowing

Smaller review base than Dymocks despite the chain's broader footprint

Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume457 · 75th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown70% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A dependable general craft and art supply option in the CBD, with staff knowledge reviewers single out again and again.

Website +61292994151 Directions

93 York St, Sydney NSW 2000

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the shop’s live Google star average. Review volume shows how many customers have rated it, ranked against other Sydney craft shops. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a score built on thousands of reviews carries more weight than one from a few hundred. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No shop can pay to change these numbers.

How much do craft supplies cost in Sydney? (2026)

Pricing depends heavily on the specialty, from everyday stationery to premium hats or specialty spray paint. Reviewers cite frequent sales at several of these shops, so prices can vary week to week.

Serving all of Sydney

These craft shops span the CBD around George Street and the Strand Arcade, with others in nearby Glebe and Alexandria, all reachable within a short drive or train ride of central Sydney. Searching for a craft shop near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and directions so you can reach the closest option fast.

What to ask before you visit a craft shop in Sydney

Does the store stock the specific brand or medium you need in person, or is it order-only?
Are there current sales or membership discounts available?
Does the shop offer classes, framing, or reshaping services alongside retail?
Is parking available on-site, or is it a walk from nearby parking?
Can staff help match materials to your skill level or specific project?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these craft shops?

We started from craft and specialty shops in Sydney with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which Sydney shop is best for art supplies specifically?

The Sydney Art Store in Alexandria and Eckersley’s Art & Craft on York Street both specialize in painting and drawing supplies, with The Sydney Art Store carrying the higher rating.

Where can I buy an Akubra hat in Sydney?

AKUBRA Hats Strand Arcade sells the full range direct from a store in the historic Strand Arcade and also offers reshaping for existing hats.

The bottom line

Dymocks is the safe default for general browsing across books, gifts, and stationery, while The Sydney Art Store and AKUBRA both edge it on rating if you already know your specialty. Check for sales before you buy; several of these shops run them often.

Best Arts And Culture in other cities

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