Words by Monique McInnes
Each November, neighbourhoods across Australia transform as residents open their garages, front yards, businesses and streets for the annual Garage Sale Trail. Expected to feature over 14,000 garage sales across two weekends (9-10 & 16-17 November), the event offers much more than just an opportunity to pick up second-hand goods. Garage Sale Trail is a community initiative promoting sustainable shopping, environmental awareness, and local connection, sparking enthusiasm for reusing and recycling items that might otherwise go to waste.
Since its inception in 2010 by Sydney friends Darryl Nichols and Andrew Valder, Garage Sale Trail has grown from a grassroots event in Bondi Beach to a nationwide movement. Today, the initiative is powered by over 80 councils, with backing from major supporters like PayPal, eBay, the NSW Environment Protection Authority, and the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, Garage Sale Trail has a clear mission: to reduce waste, encourage sustainable shopping, and build stronger, more connected communities.
The seller ambassador of the event, Nicola Bates, is the founder of Zaza Vintage and a passionate advocate for second-hand fashion. Having made the shift from the mainstream fashion industry to sustainable vintage retail, Bates shares her journey and tips for getting the most out of this year’s Garage Sale Trail.
From High-Fashion Stylist to Vintage Curator
Bates’ background in fashion styling set her up for a dynamic career, working with some of Australia’s best stylists on shoots and campaigns around the world. But as she learned more about the environmental impact of the fashion industry, she became increasingly uncomfortable with promoting fast fashion brands. “As my interest in, and knowledge of, the climate crisis and the impact the fashion industry has on our environment grew, I grew more and more uncomfortable with styling and promoting fast fashion brands,” she explains.
In 2012, Bates founded Zaza Vintage to combine her love for fashion with her desire to make a positive environmental impact. “It has given me freedom to work from home while raising my two daughters, and a creative outlet through sourcing incredible vintage, all without contributing to the global textile crisis,” she shares. For Bates, vintage fashion allows her to express creativity while addressing the urgent need for more sustainable consumption.
Why Garage Sale Trail?
A Garage Sale Trail veteran (has participated 9 times), Bates explains her ongoing commitment to the event: “Hosting a sale with Garage Sale Trail is a great way to invite my local customers to come in, meet me and try on clothing that they may have seen online through my Zaza Vintage social media,” she says. “It advertises the store and ultimately is a great way to find new homes for all the amazing vintage clothing I source—while, of course, making some extra money.”
Tips for First-Time Participants
For newcomers eager to jump into Garage Sale Trail, Bates offers practical advice for both sellers and buyers:
Register and Advertise: “The first thing is to register your sale on the Garage Sale Trail website so shoppers can find you and shop the trail,” she advises. She emphasises the importance of advertising with posters and signage: “Social media, including Facebook groups, are great, but I have found posters and letterbox drops to be the most effective.”
Organise Your Stock: Bates stresses the importance of presentation, encouraging sellers to “get your stock organised, cleaned, and ready for sale. Group your items into categories to sell, price everything, whether it’s individually, by rack, by shelf, or by clothing type.”
Create a Fun Atmosphere: “Make the day fun by inviting friends, family, and neighbours over,” she says. “Have some music going and create a welcoming vibe.” She also recommends accepting multiple forms of payment, such as PayPal and PayID, for greater convenience.
Embrace the Trail as a Buyer: “For sellers, shop the trail and hit as many garage sales as possible!” she says, adding that being early is key: “The early bird gets the worm.”
What Bates Loves About Garage Sale Trail
As Garage Sale Trail approaches, Bates looks forward to the event as a way to celebrate her love for vintage fashion while connecting with others who share her passion. “To me Garage Sale Trail means summer is coming!” she says. “I make the day really fun and easy going. My kids play around me, good tunes are playing, my friends come and hang out with me while we talk to customers.”
The community aspect of the event is what Bates enjoys most. “I love getting to chat about vintage clothing with other people that love it as much as I do,” she shares. For Bates, Garage Sale Trail is also a way to highlight the quality and craftsmanship of vintage pieces. “We remark about how special it is, and how well it’s made. I love seeing the smiles and look of nostalgia as people look through my racks, often they will see an item of clothing that reminds them of someone or something and they will share that story with me, which I love.”
Promoting Sustainable Shopping Habits
With the fashion industry’s growing environmental footprint, events like Garage Sale Trail play an essential role in promoting sustainable consumer behaviour. Bates highlights the staggering statistics:
“Australian shoppers on average buy 15kgs of clothing a year, with 6000 kgs of clothing heading to landfill every 10 minutes. Those figures are just so shocking, and it’s so important to spread the word and normalise shopping secondhand to help change how Australians shop.”
Rare Finds and Unique Pieces
Through her years of thrifting and garage sales, Bates has discovered unique treasures, from designer finds to rare vintage accessories. “I found a genuine Fendi bag at a garage sale last year, a vintage Givenchy necklace thrifting, real pearl earrings, and even a Cartier watch on the side of the road in a council cleanup once,” she shares. Her store, Zaza Vintage, reflects her love for vibrant, 80s-inspired style: “I’m an 80s baby, and I’m pretty 80’s obsessed when I’m sourcing, so Zaza Vintage is all about colour, print, energy, and fun.”
This year, Bates is preparing six full racks of vintage clothing, with items priced at just $10 each, alongside 80s-inspired party shirts and board shorts.
Garage Sale Trail continues to capture the imagination of communities across Australia, promoting a culture of sustainability and connection. For Bates and others, it’s more than just a sale; it’s an opportunity to rethink the way we consume, share stories, and rediscover the value of pre-loved items that still have life and style to give.
The team has compiled a list of the top sales happening in each capital city, helping you map out your perfect treasure-hunting route. Check them out below:
Sydney | Melbourne | South East Queensland | Adelaide | Perth | Tasmania
