Westfield West Lakes — Local services in Adelaide

Westfield West Lakes is a good shopping centre. There are a broad variety of retailers. Anchor stores include Coles, Woolworths, Kmart, Target, David Jones, Harris Scarfe, JB Hi-Fi and Reading Cinemas. Good variety and abundance of cafes, food outlets and dining; some public services available; banks and ATMs scattered everywhere. The mall also offers free Wi-Fi which is a bit so-so.

Despite pretty good variety of retailers, Westfield West Lakes' biggest downside is discovered by everyone in a vehicle before they've even entered the mall. The "boom gate / paid parking" has alienated a significant amount of customers (20%-30%) since it's implementation. The "paid parking" infrastructure itself suffers constant issues, causes confusion and very easily and quickly creates traffic flow problems. But the biggest issue with the "paid parking" is that it immediately inconveniences customers BEFORE they've even entered the car park. Who in the hell likes being inconvenienced before they've set foot inside a shopping centre to do their shopping?

Having said that, the first 3hrs of parking are free, as well as free parking after 6pm (1800hrs). The starting price (at 3hrs) is a reasonable $2. Prices gradually go up in 30 minute intervals from 3hrs to 7+ hrs, which is the daily maximum payment of $22. One thing that catches many people out is that If you lose your ticket, you pay that maximum daily rate of $22, regardless of how long you've been there.

Overall Westfield West Lakes is a good shopping center offering mostly what people want and need. But the paid parking is an issue, it keeps customers constantly watching the clock as if they're not welcome after 3 hours. Not to mention that paid parking is a very rare occurrence in SA shopping centres (except the in the city), and SA in general as there are no road tolls - people are...

My car was unfortunately broken into during a spate of car break-ins at West Lakes Shopping Centre. The vandal(s) gained entry into my car by smashing a side window. The paint and body work on my car was also damaged during the break-in.

I have spoken to numerous Westfield staff about the safety for mall workers and their cars but its of least concern to them. Collecting money from the paid parking is top priority.

Mall workers are also forced to walk through a dimly lit car park as Westfield choose to only turn on selected lights. These lights are then turned off at night forcing mall workers to walk through a dark car park.

Westfield have been asked countless times to keep the car park lights on for the mall workers safety but it just falls on deaf ears and yet Westfield claims that safety is a priority. What a lie!

*Edit Jan 2021 Its been over a year since my last review and every night Westfield still choose to turn the car park lights off early forcing mall staff to walk to their cars through a dark and unsafe carpark. Westfield says 'can assure you that staff safety is paramount' My photos show proof that this couldn't be further from the...

A medium sized shopping centre by Australian and world standards. Clean, modern and quite sophisticated. Two major food store chains in Woolworths and Coles. Well stocked and because they are in close competition, well priced. K-Mart, David Jones, Target, Harris Scarfe have large-ish stores here as well. These are complemented by the usual lots of small stores selling just about everything you might need. Luckily, some also sell the things you actually need. The extension has seen a wide diversity of shops added. The centre is now [again] owned by WestField and they have shocked the local community by introducing car parking charges if staying more than 3 hours. Free under that. The Mall will lose much of the "local" shoppers and drive by shoppers, as there are many shopping centres within 10 minutes by car offering FREE parking. Collin to see uturns at the gates. Store owners tell of a big reduction of mall shoppers. Hard to leave when lineup waiting to get out. Summary. Great mall. Classy. Everything you need in easy walking distance. Over the road from AAMI Stadium. Buses to the door. Bad. The stupidity of...