The Store of Requirement

Brisbane may not have a Diagon Alley, but there is a place where a young witch or wizard can acquire their Hogwarts robes, Quidditch gear and of course their magic wand. This fabulous emporium for all things Harry Potter occupies a former church in picturesque Samford Village, 40 minutes drive from the city. It's the largest shop in Australia for official Wizarding World merch, with games, puzzles, mugs, posters, figurines, toys and costumes. The owners have gone all out to recreate the Hogwarts experience including a school room and a replica of the Weasleys' sky-blue ford Anglia out front. There are special editions of JK Rowlings' books and enormous plush effigies of Fluffy the three-headed hound and Buckbeak the Hippogriff. The wand room is especially impressive, with unique designs based on the films' production design for each character; you half expect Mr Olivander to aperate in there and declare that "the wand chooses the wizard, Mr Potter". Did we mention it's also a café? Enjoy a chocolate frog and a butterscotch brew and peruse the pages of the Daily Prophet that adorn the walls. While you're in town cross the road to explore the Samford Museum or ride your scooter on the hilly skate track in the park.