How-to find the best pre-loved bargains
Each year over 3 million pre-loved items are set free from cupboards, sheds and garages across Australia as part of the Garage Sale Trail. It’s your chance to find epic stuff at retro prices and it's on next on 8-9 & 15-16 November 2025.
Rooting out the best bargains takes a bit of prep. Here's what we recommend, whether you're hitting the Garage Sale Trail or heading out on any weekend in the hunt for garage sale bargains.
Plan your day
If you're getting involved in Garage Sale Trail, plan your route by building a Trail of sales to visit.
From September 2025, you can search for garage sales happening near you on the national map and use the filters to find sales happening on specific days or selling the stuff you're looking for.
Sign up to our mailing list to get reminders and notifications when sales get added near you.
Shop to a list
Avoid panic buying and minimise any chance of buying things you don't need by shopping to a list. If fashion's your passion, remind yourself what's in your wardrobe before you hit the trail to avoid buying duplicates, triplicates or even quadruplicates of the same thing 😬
Get some cash out
While lots of garage sales will provide cash free ways to pay like PayID or direct bank transfers, max your chances of success by having some cash with you too. Some sales will still be cash only.
Make a note of the brands you like
Make a mental note of the brands you like and that flatter you so can keep an eye out for them.
Get comfy
Slip on some sensible shoes, grab a hat, sunnies and slap on the suncream. If you're hoping to try stuff on, slip on something that you can try things on over. Changing rooms are as rare as hen's teeth on the trail!
Be prepared
Pack some reusable shopping bags, bring your KeepCup and grab some snacks to keep you in tiptop form all day long.
Need some more inspo?
Check out the top tips from eBay reseller Kirra The Reselling Enthusiast 👇🏽
Garage Sale Trail, Australia's biggest secondhand treasure hunt, is next on 8-9 & 15-16 November 2025. Join the wait list to be the first to know when registrations open.
