Australian Souvenirs I Take Overseas

[cgichard]

In Uzbekistan a bunch of children accompanying cotton-picking women in the fields were thrilled with handouts of standard AustPost postcards of assorted Australian animals. So easy to pack.

 

[clazman]

Caramello Koala, Tim Tam and Vegimite ...... funny enough no one ever wants the vegimite

 

[dajop]

How long before some luminary chimes in with 'I hope you get caught?'

No, the sort that would say that are too busy alerting the feds.

Rumour has it that they'll start implementing full searches of passengers travelling out of Australia in SQ suites.

 

[AnnaB]

Timtams and Milo. Used to bring koalas, coasters, stubby holders and boomerangs but everyone has them by now

Another thing I bring sometimes, that is more fun then nice is the Kangaroo Jerkey Just because its fun, not because it tastes nice

 

[Viridianne]

Sent to a good friend:

 

[Hvr]

It does say current coins. You can use 1c or 2c if you like or the round 50c.

Why would you deface a 1 cent coin when you could take it to the US and use it in a vending machine in lieu of a dime?

So I've heard.

 

[Limewood]

For years buy 25 Kangaroo pins of eBay for about $30 give them away while OS, people love them

 

[awkwardpaws]

reviving this thread.

thinking of easy food/snack items that are quintessentially Oz - any other ideas other than the below:

- TimTams
- Vegemite
- Caramello Koalas
- Milo (for US - I recently found out that americans are not familiar with Milo!)

 

[Denali]

Twirls? I was telling someone about Choc dipped flakes and they started flapping her hands around and squealing at the idea.

I don't think they have chicken twisties.

 

[clazman]

Caramello Koalas are always well received

 

[Limewood]

Kangaroo pins, they love em...

 

[Dr Ralph]

Caramello Koalas are always well received

+1 for this and cherry ripes.

 

[Simo]

I take mini koala bears

 

[VPS]

I took caramello koalas for my American bosses kids when I was there for work - they spat them out - no taste.

I would think not having chicken twisties would be a bonus not a hardship

 

[JMEL]

Iced vovo biscuits and lamingtons, maybe? Although I suppose lamingtons may get squished on a long journey

Personally, I like to pick up some of the latest limited edition Tim Tams for the Americans, which they really appreciate, as they can only get the plain ones. (That said...some of the limited ed ones are absolutely foul haha!)

In recent years, I have taken more to stopping by well-known local producers here in Melbourne to buy some (suitcase-friendly) gift items. This might include coffee beans (e.g. I got a pack of Padre Coffee beans for a relative recently), tea, biscuits, chocolate, handmade soap, creams and lotions, candles, etc. Always well received - and a good option if you've already gone through all the "typical" Aussie items with the same people over and over.

 

[birder]

We have nephews who love the eucalyptus candies (lollies) - the individually wrapped ones that you can buy at Woolies. In fact, my brother told me that his boys sell them at school, they are so popular!

The Cadbury bars full of jelly beans and stuff like that -- my family went crazy for those. They also love cherry ripes.

The best place for nicer Australian souvenirs would definitely be gift shops from museums and botanical gardens, etc. I've gotten the most unusual, beautiful items from those.

 

[Warks]

TIM TAMs !!

My sister, who lives in Vancouver, used to grab these but you can get them in Canada nowadays. But you can't get Mint Slice biscuits so she always loads up!

Her kids love Minties and Fantales (they're Canadians). Salt and Vinegar or Chicken chips are always appreciated too. She also takes home chicken salt of all things (I don't like it).

 

[Denali]

Ive been asked a few times to bring Bundy Rum... but some of my friends are pirates

 

[TheBOSman]

My sister, who lives in Vancouver, used to grab these but you can get them in Canada nowadays. But you can't get Mint Slice biscuits so she always loads up!

Her kids love Minties and Fantales (they're Canadians). Salt and Vinegar or Chicken chips are always appreciated too. She also takes home chicken salt of all things (I don't like it).

With a little effort basic Tim Tams can be found in most cities seemingly at this point. I have a couple of places to get them in Austin, though it is exceedingly rare to get my beloved Dark Chocolate or Chewy Caramel :evil:.

I will have to think of the Australian souvenirs I've taken back with me. I'm guessing bottles of wine don't count . At the moment I only have one ~$20 stuffed koala purchased at MEL on my most recent departure, mostly to use up the last of my plastic currency. I could use a 50 cent or $1 piece though!

 

[Warks]

I was travelling to Japan for work some years ago and on my previous visit I'd seen that rockmelons were about $80 each(!!) I looked into taking some from here but Japan has similar quarantine for F&V to us so it was a no-go.