Secondhand Bookshops in Maroochydore

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Maroochydore CBD has two secondhand bookshops.

Comparing them is like matching Goliath with David, literally. One is a 'mother' of all exchanges, the other is a 'new kid on the block'.

You'll find each has its pre-loved treasures in genre sections: picture books through to travel guides and beyond. Happily, each has a coffee and cake shop close at hand. Both are 'exchanges' - you can return a purchased book to receive credit towards another one. Good value. However, the similarities end there.

Once upon a time, 'Goliath', better known as Duporth Avenue Book Exchange lived on Duporth Avenue. That was 21 years ago. For the past 14, it has resided in Ocean Street (No. 3a). Odd name explained, this shop is an enormous cornucopian bazaar of literary works.


Its range of authors and stories is so voluminous as to cascade over shelves and overflow floorspace. In the profusion, you can become lost in thrall. Keep your focus sharp, and your elbows in!


It's a browser's paradise, of course, and a fossicker's dream come true. 'Big volume and big range' equates to more of everything. There's plenty of the almost new, but also the worn; plenty of surprises; the rare and the popular; and clutter. So if time is scarce or you are looking for something in particular, the short course is to have owners Di, Dave, or Grant - always friendly and on hand - light the way through Duporth's awesome halls, and quiet alcoves.

Duporth Avenue Book Exchange looks and feels like a place outside of time but exploring it is worth some time.

And then, there is 'David', aka A Great Read. This little library is a shop-stall in the Big Top Shopping Centre. But, as is said, good things come in small packages. A Great Read is the product of owner Luke's 'labour of love' (to quote), the result of hand-picking and saving away personal favourites and the books and stories that are memorable and worthy.


It's an airy, open, and easily navigated shop of clean, good quality books. Luke takes particular care that stock is identifiably 'almost new'. Those that aren't lie in the bargain bins outside. The range in genres is adequate, and so stocked. A Great Read has two special aspects. Firstly, it has a parent shop in Montville, and secondly, Luke will pay full credit for exchange books bought in other shops. Good value there.


A Great Read may be small and 'a child', but they can be strengths, too: it's stock is constantly checked and refreshed. What book-lover doesn't like finding new books?

Two shops as different as our historical heroes. Which will you choose?

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