Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Australia right now and the price wars that have been taking place between Costco warehouses and big, corporate grocery stores. Costco has taken Australia by a storm, and savings-savvy consumers have been flocking to warehouses across Australia in order to save as much money as they can on their favourite brands.
Since launching their first warehouse in Australia in 2009, Costco has opened seven warehouses and delivered discounts directly, bringing deal-seekers from locations all over Australia. There’s no better place for frugal Aussies to get great savings on their favourite groceries, clothing, outdoor equipment and electronics. Members pay a nominal annual membership fee to take advantage of shopping the warehouse for deep discounts on their favourite brands.
If you travel a lot, you’ll be happy to know that your Costco membership is good at any Costco location in the world, so you can always get the best deals, wherever your adventures take you!
If you tend to stick to Australia for your adventures, there are seven locations to choose from. Each location offers great deals, but some locations have other specialties that we’ll highlight in this mini-tour.
Costco Docklands, Victoria/Melbourne
Address:
381 Footscray Road
Docklands, Victoria 3008
Phone: (03) 8602 0300
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Docklands warehouse was the inaugural location for Costco Australia. It opened in 2009, just a year after Costco established a corporate office here in Australia. It’s a very busy location.
Costco Docklands Parking:
This location has a time limit on free parking, with a small fee per hour during trading hours. You’ll have to take a ticket and pay when you leave, so make sure you have some cash on hand. (There is an ATM machine indoors near the customer service line.)
You’ll need to pick your trolley up while you are in the car park. No matter how short your shopping list is, you will need a trolley to shop for deals. Costco sells the best brands in bulk, and the best way to save money while shopping at Costco is stocking up.
The trolleys have their own escalator for safety purposes – it’s important that you use the lift meant for them – Costco trolleys are notoriously large.
Navigating Costco Docklands:
Once you have picked up your trolley, you’ll be greeted by Costco employees offering coupons, who will also ask to see your membership card before you can enter the store.
One inside, you’ll see Costco’s enormous layout. Be forewarned, the goods in Costco are positioned to encourage impulse buys. While a few purchases that aren’t on your list won’t stretch your budget, it’s easy to get carried away because all of the merchandise is priced so well. Just remember – Costco specializes in bulk goods. You may not have space in your kitchen for a 20 pack of apple juice or 30 rolls of toilet paper. Try to stick to your shopping list to stay on budget.
A basic store layout has dry goods to the left, home wares to the right, books, sports and clothing in the middle. Meat and dairy are located to the back, and the bakery alongside fresh fruits and vegetables are located in the bottom right and left corners, respectively. If you are looking for frozen goods, the freezer cabinets are centered in the grocery section.
If you want to stock up on beer at Costco Docklands, the beer/wine section is the last thing you pass before you get to the cash registers. Costco is known for carrying duty-free top shelf selections, so unless you’re a teetotaler, make sure you factor in enough time to browse their selection. You might find yourself something really nice for an evening dinner.
Checking Out at Costco Docklands:
When you shop at Costco, you must have a card-bearing member pay for your products. (When you are checking out, the name on any credit card must match the membership card.)
Each checkout is staffed by two Costco employees – one to pack your groceries, and one to ring them up. You’ll need your membership card in hand to check out.
Don’t Miss Out On Costco Dockland’s Picnic Area
The picnic area may be the best place in all of Melbourne to view the Star Wheel offering visitors an impressive view of the large machine in “flight.”
Walking the warehouse aisles is a sure way to work up an appetite, which is why you and your shopping companions will want to reward yourselves with some good, cheap eats once you’ve settled your grocery tab. Grab yourselves a hot dog with all the fixings, or share a whole pizza with bottomless soda as you watch the leery tourists fly about.
Make sure you have your shopping docket ready as you prepare to leave the warehouse. Costco has very dedicated security that will check your cart against your receipt for loss prevention purposes. (Other shoppers will be quite annoyed with you if you have to fumble for your docket, so keep it on hand)
Costco Ringwood, Victoria/Melbourne
Costco Ringwood Address:
29 Bond St, Ringwood Victoria 3134,
Phone: +61 3 8873 6700
Costco Ringwood Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 8:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Costco’s Ringwood warehouse, opened on November 20, 2013, offers 14,500 square metres of deals. The warehouse employs 400 members of the community.
Costco Ringwood Parking
The Ringwood location offers free, untimed parking during trading hours and usually has a lot of spaces available to choose from. The two-level car park can be reached New Street, and visitors have noted that the lower level tends to be the least crowded.
You’ll need to pick your trolley up while you are in the car park and “rent” it using a refundable coin. (You’ll get it back when you return the cart.) Don’t be cheap — no matter how short your shopping list is, you will need a trolley to carry your merchandise.
Try Costco on Saturday mornings if you love to sample. There are many of goodies and freebies to be had.
Navigating Costco Ringwood:
Once you have picked up your trolley, you’ll enter the store. Before you go in, you’ll greeted by Costco employees offering coupons, who will also ask to verify you are a Costco member by checking your membership card.
Costco’s layout is meant to highlight good deals and encourage impulse buys – you’ll want to make a list ahead of time to stay on-task. There are lots of steals to be had. While a few purchases that aren’t on your list may make it into your carts, a basic understanding of the layout can help you set your sight on your goals.
Costco’s warehouse has dry goods to the left, home wares to the right, books, sports and clothing in the middle. Meat and dairy are located to the back, and the bakery alongside fresh fruits and vegetables are located in the bottom right and left corners, respectively. If you are looking for frozen goods, the freezer cabinets are centered in the grocery section.
At the Costco Ringwood warehouse, the beer/wine selections are across the back of the store.
Costco Ringwood’s Picnic Area
Shopping sure can make a large crowd of families hungry, and the Ringwood picnic area is no exception when it comes to deals. Pick up a quick hot dog and a drink for just $1.99 or grab a few slices of thin-crust pizza for just a few dollars. Your stomach will thank you!
Checking Out at Costco Ringwood
Make sure you have your card member in line with you as you pay and keep your docket in hand as you exit as you pass security.
Make sure you have your shopping docket ready as you prepare to leave the warehouse. Costco attendants will check your cart against your receipt for loss prevention purposes.
Costco Canberra/Majura Park
Costco Canberra Address
39-41 Mustang Ave, Majura Park –
Canberra Airport, ACT 2609
Phone: (02) 6246 7500
Costco Canberra Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Petrol Station Trading Hours:
Monday-Friday: 6:00 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday: 6:00 am – 7:30 pm
Sunday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Costco Canberra was the third warehouse opened in Australia.
When the Costco Canberra warehouse location opened its petrol station in mid-2014, the competition was not pleased. This airport-convenient location offered rock-bottom prices on petrol, stealing customers away from Woolworths and other competitors and igniting a vicious price war.
The good news is that customers always win when there’s a price war, and Costco continues to undercut the competition today. That’s what makes the Canberra location so popular.
The fuel station has 16 self-serve bowsers available. Only Costco members can buy fuel at the Costco station, and although it’s a busy place, it’s worth the wait, especially if you’re on your way to or from the airport. The fuel station and Marjura Road leading to it can sometimes get pretty congested because of the price wars that have been raging since late 2014.
In fact, many Costco customers join the warehouse membership just to fuel up at the petrol station. People are known to drive from as far as Harrison, Belconnen and Tuggeranong to make the most of discounted fuel, and the savings average between .12 and .14 a liter.
Costco Canberra Parking:
Parking is free, but crowded, and you will often see parking attendants guiding traffic. Because of the Costco fuel station, it’s recommended that you avoid shopping on the Saturday – the location’s busiest day — for both the petrol station and the warehouse.
Navigating Costco Canberra
You’ll need to grab one of the large trolleys outside this location, but it does not require a coin. Once you have picked up your trolley, you’ll enter the store where you will be greeted by Costco employees offering coupons, who will also ask to verify you are a Costco member by checking your membership card.
The store layout is basic with dry goods to the left, home wares to the right, books, sports and clothing in the middle.
Checking Out at Costco Canberra
Have your membership card on hand while you check out, and make you’re your primary member is the person who pays at the register, with card in hand.
Don’t Forget To Check Out the Picnic Area
After your shopping trip, there are still some great deals to be had in the food court area. Grab a slice of pizza and a soda for just a few dollars. This is especially a great deal if you need a quick lunch or snack while waiting in line for petrol!
Remember to keep your shopping receipt with you as you exit the building.
Costco Auburn/Sydney
Costco Auburn Address
17-21 Parramatta Rd
Lidcombe, NSW 2141
Phone: (02) 8756 4600
Costco Auburn Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Costco’s Auburn warehouse location opened in 2011 in Sydney’s West.
Some Australians have been hesitant to buy their favorite snacks or dinner items in bulk, but among the many customer reviews there’s one thing all members seem to agree on – the meat counter in Auburn is a favorite stop. The meat is higher quality than many local grocers, and there is a good range of cuts that many of the local supermarket chains are lacking. Plus, the prices can’t be beat!
Of course, this Costco location has great deals on consumer electronics, frozen meals, seasonal items and snack foods. They also have a very popular hearing aide station that tests hearing and gives discounts on hearing aides.
Parking at Costco Auburn
The Costco car park offers two levels of free parking with 750 spaces, but that can fill up quickly on a Saturday or Sunday. When there isn’t room for everyone, you’ll want to park on Park in the Lidcombe Power Centre car park on the other side of Parramatta Road.
Navigating Costco Auburn
This Costco warehouse spans over 14,000 square metres, so it’s easy to get lost or sidetracked. A few tips to get you shopping: Pick up your shopping trolley outdoors and bring a shopping list. It can take several hours to walk the entire warehouse for the first time you visit, so be prepared in comfortable shoes.
Once you have picked up your trolley, you’ll enter the store. Before you go in, you’ll greeted by Costco employees offering coupons, who will verify your membership card.
The basic store layout is dry goods to the left, housewares to the right, and books, electronics, sports and clothing in the middle. You can find the meat and dairy towards the back, and bakery/produce are located in the bottom right and left corners, respectively. If you are looking for frozen goods, they’re in the center of the store.
Don’t Forget The Picnic Area
There is a small picnic area at Costco just before you leave that sells hot dogs and soft drink with unlimited refills for just $2.40. You can also grab a slice of LA-style pizza or get a 16″ pizza to go for dinner only $14.99.
Keep your receipt in hand when you exit the store in case the security at the door needs to check it.
Costco Crossroads/Casula, Syndey
Costco Crossroads Address:
20 Parkers Farm Place
Casula, NSW 2170
Phone: (02) 8778 7300
Costco Crossroads Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Petrol Station Trading Hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:00 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday: 6:00 am – 7:30 pm
Sunday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
When the Costco warehouse in Casula held their grand opening, the most expensive piece of jewellery was a deeply discounted $198,000 diamond ring, but there are many items of interest to Australians of every walk of life, especially when it comes to food, toilet paper, and other supplies. Most of the fresh groceries come from farms in Australia, and in addition to the petrol station, the Casula location is the go-to spot for seniors who need their hearing tested — there are three booths for hearing aide testing, ordering and fitting at the Casula warehouse.
Costco Crossroads Parking
The Casula Costco location is less busy than the other Syndey Costco location in Auburn, which leaves ample parking, even on the weekends. It’s important to note that the car park is outdoors, which can be a pain on an ugly, rainy day.
Navigating Costco Crossroads
Pick up your shopping trolley up outdoors and show your membership badge to the greeters handing out coupons.
You’ll want to bring a shopping list, too, and allow yourself a few hours to walk the entire warehouse for the first time you visit.
Once you have picked up your trolley, you’ll enter the store.
This Costco warehouse is nearly identical to the Auburn location in terms of layout. The basic store layout is dry goods to the left, housewares to the right, and books, electronics, sports and clothing in the middle as well as the frozen goods. You can find the meat and dairy towards the back, and bakery/produce are located in the bottom right and left corners.
Don’t Forget The Picnic Area
Like other Costco locations, the Crossroads location in Sydney has a great spot for you to rest your feet, grab a soda and eat a snack.
When you exit the building, make sure you have your shopping receipt in your hand in case you’re stopped by one of the attendants.
Costco North Lakes/Brisbane QLD
Costco North Lakes Address:
17 -39 Cook Court
North Lakes, QLD 4509
Phone: (07) 3482 8600
Costco North Lakes Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Petrol Station Trading Hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:00 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Costco North Lakes/QLD Parking
The North Lakes Costco location is very family friendly, with wide parking spaces and kid-friendly trolleys that can hold two toddlers. Bring your car’s sun visor if it’s a hot day; the parking lot offers no shade.
Navigating Costco North Lakes/QLD
You can pick up a shopping trolley at the front door, but you may be better off scouting the parking lot and choosing one from the return bay on a busy day.
Have your membership card ready to show the couponers as you enter the building. Once you’re inside, you’ll be confronted with the consumer electronics section, along with white goods and other housewares. (There are a wide variety of high-ticket items to pass through before you can get to food shopping.) Once you’ve passed this section, you’ll take a short tour through the clothing aisles and books.
The food sections are toward the back and center of the store and this location has an excellent variety of baked goods to buy in bulk, especially great for party and event planning.
In addition to platters for catering, there is a large range of party supplies – great for parents, teachers, and civic organizations. There are plenty of ready to go chicken pieces with dipping sauce, buffalo wings, wraps, sandwiches and other crowd-pleasing snacks.
Don’t Forget To Check Out the Picnic Area
On your way out, don’t forget to rest your feet and pick up a hot, quick meal. There are pizzas, pretzels, smoothies and hot dogs ready to go, and you can get a whole meal for less than $5 on your way out.
When exiting the store, make sure to keep your receipt in your hand in case an attendant needs to check it on your way out.
Costco Adelaide/Kilburn
Costco Adelaide Address:
404-406 Churchill Rd
Kilburn, SA 5084
Phone: (08) 8360 3700
Costco Adelaide Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Petrol Station Trading Hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:00 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Costco’s Kilburn warehouse opened its doors in 2014 amid much fanfare, especially when the petrol station offered deep discounts that left competitors struggling to keep up. The retailer’s 16-bowser fuel station at Churchill Rd, Kilburn, which opened last month, opened its doors by offering unleaded petrol at .11 to .14 a litre.
This location is particularly popular with businesses; about a third of its members are business class members, so expect to see deals on computers and other office supplies among its wares.
Costco Adelaide Parking
The parking lots are outdoors and tend to fill up quickly on the weekend due to visitors taking advantage of great petrol prices as well as grocery deals. If you can manage, try to go towards the end of the day or avoid weekend trips altogether.
When you first enter this location, you’ll find electronics and white goods, and walk past stacks of housewares like tools, kitchen gadgets, duct tape and other small appliances. In the centre of the huge warehouse area there’s general merchandise, clothing, books and toys and sporting goods available at deep savings.
The grocery section is toward the back, and there’s a large walk in cool room for locally grown produce. The bakery has a display for cakes, then there’s the Australian meat, fish and cheese sections. Some of the meat is high priced
Towards the back of the store you’ll find the bulk frozen food section, and at the very back you’ll find huge packages of toilet paper and nappies as well as junk food and soft drinks.
Don’t Forget to Visit the Picnic Area
Costco has a food court that sells some snack foods like pizza, hot dogs, wraps, smoothies and pies for less than $5 for a combination platter, which is sure to satiate your hunger after a few hours of warehouse shopping.