Pavilions Palm Beach

There's a dog in a purple Rod Stewart wig outside one of the cafes, and honestly that tells you most of what you need to know about the vibe at Pavilions Palm Beach. This is a compact neighbourhood centre doing the practical work of a community hub: Coles, Liquorland, a chemist, a dentist, a barber, a newsagent, a meat specialist, sushi, coffee. The restaurants sit along the exterior, which gives the whole place a more open, street-facing feel than your average suburban mall. Underground parking makes the weekly shop considerably less painful. It won't eat your afternoon, but it will reliably sort out most of what you need without driving into town. Go on a weekday morning when the coffee queue is short.