Love sitting on the beach being transported to an alternate universe, or snuggling up in winter reading an inspiring autobiography be the fire? No matter your location or genre choice, we’re found a whole list of cute and cosy independent bookshops peppered around South Australia that will have the perfect book for you.
From Adelaide’s CBD to the stunning Stirling in the Adelaide Hills, here’s nine bookshops both old and new to put on your radar.
O’Connell’s Bookshop – Adelaide’s CBD
Established in 1957 by Reg O’Connell, O’Connell’s Bookshop is the oldest antiquarian and second-hand bookshop in Adelaide. Third-generation owner Ben O’Connell now runs the shop with “help” from his four-legged friend Oscar the whippet, after taking over from his parents eight years ago.
The shop is a hectic mess of books which show its vast range suited to people looking for old and new reads.
Where: 19 Bank Street (14b Station Arcade), Adelaide
More info: Click here
Orchard Bookshop – Adelaide CBD
From the team brought you Chapter Two Books & Adelaide’s Pop-up Bookshop, Orchard Bookshop moved from its previous residence in the Adelaide Central Market to the Adelaide Arcade in 2022.
They’ve gone down a non-traditional path bridging the gap between new, vintage and high-end collectable books. With Dymocks next door, QBD, The Library and the comic stores in the mall, there’s such a fantastic vibe and makes it easy to find whatever you’re after.
Where: Adelaide Arcade, Shop 26, 112/118 Grenfell St, Adelaide SA 5000
More info: Click here
Imprints Booksellers – Adelaide’s CBD
Imprints Booksellers has been the cultural cornerstone of Adelaide’s West End since opening in 1984. The quintessential modern Australian bookshop, Imprints carries an eclectic range of books by local, national and international authors.
Imprints also offer a free special order service and stock an eclectic range of literary journals, magazines, cards and stationery.
Where: 107 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000
More info: Click here
Page & Turner Adelaide – Adelaide’s CBD
A brand-new bookstore opened in the Adelaide CBD’s Myer Centre last year, elevating the online pre-loved bookstore business to a brick-and-mortar locale in the heart of the city. Page & Turner have been based in Adelaide, South Australia since 2020 and selling their new and used stock across the nation through Australia Post.
The store offers the service and care of its knowledgeable staff, along with a shared intrinsic passion for literature. It’s also a great stop for artwork, design objects and quirky gifts, along with DVDs and CDs.
Where: Level 2 of Myer Centre Adelaide
More info: Click here
Adieu Bonjour – Adelaide Hills
The Adieu Bonjour Bookshop in the Adelaide Hills which opened just last year features a tightly curated selection of used books, literary fiction, literary nonfiction, cookbooks and drinks books, children’s books, and magazines. The eclectic range of titles has earned the bookshop the slogan, “the new and the old, the boutique and the iconic.”
The bookshop was created and curated by Rachel Signer of Cleopatra Wines (formerly known as Persephone Wines). Also the author of You Had Me at Pét-Nat and publisher of Pipette Magazine, Signer has opened Adieu Bonjour in the historic Ashton Post Office Café space on Lobethal Road.
As an artist herself, she wanted to create a hub for artists, writers, designers, musicians, and other creatives to find books relating to their work. Stocked authors include Françoise Sagan, Helon Habila, and Brian Eno, while young readers can enjoy the work of classic authors, such as Maurice Sendak, along with a range of fun recipe books.
Where: 257 Lobethal Rd, Ashton SA 5137
More info: @adieubonjour
The First Chapter Book Shop – Edinburgh
If you unashamedly get stuck into steamy historicals, cutting-edge contemporaries and romantic paranormals that have you up until 3am (regretting your lack of sleep the next day), then we’ve found a new hang-out for you. The First Chapter Book Shop tucked away in Edinburgh is focussed on selling Australian indie romance novels.
It’s a place you can find all the Indie, romance, fantasy, reverse harem, Fae and dark romance books that are hard to find. With over ten sub-genres, including sports romance, small-town romance, and dark fantasy romance, there’s a book for every reader.
Where: Unit 2, 15 Sturton Road, Edinburgh, SA
More info: Click here
Goodwood Books – Goodwood
Goodwood Bookshop opened opened in the heart of Goodwood’s arts precinct in 2022 dedicated to celebrating women’s writing.
Co-owned by Emma Coventry and Sarah Tooth, the bookstore isn’t just putting a spotlight on female-driven literature but also the trans and non-binary community as well. Goodwood Books intends to be a safe space where bibliophiles can congregate and take a peek into someone else’s shoes that aren’t too dissimilar to your own.
Where: 145 Goodwood Rd, Goodwood SA 5034
More info: Click here
New Morning Books – Adelaide’s CBD
New Morning Books in Frome Street is a used bookshop which was established 1988 and is owned by Liverpool-born bibliophile John Scott. With around 35,000 used books stocked in the store, hosting a whole lot of interesting titles at an affordable price.
Where: 155 Frome Street, Adelaide
More info: Click here
Matilda Bookshop – Adelaide Hills
A local Hills institution, Matilda Bookshop has been selling books since 1982, and after a couple of moves, has been in the same location in the heart of Stirling since 1998.
Owned and staffed by book-lovers, Matilda’s is an independent bookshop, with a loyal following of customers whose tastes and interests they love to get to know. Specialising in New Release fiction, Gardening, Cooking, Art & Design, Current Affairs, Biography and History, they cater to a range of desires and sensibilities. There’s also children’s books and a great range of cards, journals, notebooks and gifts.
Where: 1/8 Mount Barker Road, Stirling
More info: Click here
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