As if being able to fly overseas again wasn’t exciting enough, Sydney Airport has unveiled phase one of its new luxury precinct in the T1 international terminal. It’s a sweeping 2700sqm streetscape dotted with some of the world’s most premium luxury brands, positioning Sydney Airport on the world stage. There are currently 10 stores open, with a further nine luxury brands to launch by mid-2023. Sydney Airport’s Executive General Manager of commercial Mark Zaouk said, “I’m looking forward to seeing passengers enjoy the new retail experience as we welcome them back to international travel.”

Once the precinct is fully complete in mid-2023, it will showcase Australia’s largest collection of luxury brands under one roof. The reinvigoration of T1 has been boosted by the arrival of 19 of the world’s most sought-after fashion brands. Upgrades at Sydney Airport have been firmly on the agenda for a while now, with the T2/T3 domestic terminals being recently refreshed. T2 and T3 are now light and bright, and showcase local and international brands such as Camilla, Witchery, French Connection, LEGO and Oroton.

It’s finally here. Louis Vuitton has opened its first travel retail store in the Southern Hemisphere in the new luxury precinct at Sydney Airport. You’ll be able to shop a broad range of the brand’s iconic women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, leather goods and a selection of accessories, jewellery, watches and fragrances. The luxury store will be open seven days a week from 6am to 10pm to ensure no matter what time of the day you’re departing you can get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Sydney Airport’s T1 international terminal has the world’s largest standalone duty- free store, and if that wasn’t enough, international passengers can now look forward to a number of Australian firsts. We’re talking Louis Vuitton’s first travel retail store in the southern hemisphere (and the brand’s largest standalone travel retail store in the world) and hip South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster’s first store in Australia and New Zealand. Add that to the 10 luxury stores – Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Bvlgari, Hermès, Loewe, Moncler, Prada, Rolex and Saint Laurent – that have just opened and the nine to follow – Cartier, Celine, Dior, Gentle Monster, Gucci, Louis Vuitton,Tiffany & Co, Valentino and Versace – and you’ve got a ready-made shopping spree.

So many dining options, so little time. Whether you’re travelling domestically or internationally, there are loads of great places to eat and drink before you board. The casual dining precinct at T2 highlights first-to-Australia offerings such as cult sushi brand YO! Sushi, as well as Australian mainstays like MoVida by Frank Camorra, Soul Origin, Mad Mex and Toby’s Estate. In T1, you can choose from favourites like the canteen-style Kitchen by Mike, Peroni Bar and the award-winning Coopers Alehouse. (Pictured: MoVida’s octopus pincho with potato and paprika.)

There’s nothing quite like having access to a luxurious lounge, especially if they’re as top notch as the Qantas and Emirates lounges at Sydney Airport. Depending on which airline you’re flying, business and first-class passengers also have access to lounges run by Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines. If you’re an American Express card holder, you may be able to use their lounge, and if you’ve got lounge FOMO (we don’t blame you), you can also pay to access four other lounges within the airport precinct.

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure; there are plenty of accommodation options close to the terminals at Sydney Airport. Holiday Inn Sydney Airport has just unveiled a $15 million room refurbishment, creating modern and spacious rooms that are inviting and super comfortable. Other great options are the Mantra Sydney Airport and Rydges (fewer than 200 steps to the international check-in counters). And if you fancy being right on the airport’s doorstep, reserve a room at Aerotel, which is located inside the international terminal. What we really love about Aerotel is that you can also book it by the hour, with flexible check-in and check-out times.