What do I want from Australia?

[weegiemum]

My 21 year old ds is off to Brisbane and much of Queensland in 2 weeks. He's visiting a bunch of friends he's been gaming with since he was 18, as he is medically repeating part of Uni and doesn't have to go this term. He's blowing his savings and, after the year he has had with medical problems we couldn't be happier.

(Medical issues now resolved so he's fit to travel, and he already passed his first term of nursing last year).

So he said to me today "what can I bring you back that you only get in Australia?" I have no idea!! So any input would be good. He's also going to ask his friend's mums so what else might I get??

Tim Tams
Violet Crumble
Lucas’ Papaw Ointment
Emu oil moisturiser
T2 tea

TimTams no second thought here.

Cherry ripe bars

If he happens upon local markets or gift shops, things like soaps, hand creams, moisturisers made with Australian native plant extracts or Emu oil are lovely.

Also from handmade - Rosella jam and/or the wacky variety of jams made from native plants.

Macadamias.
Tim tams.

Aboriginal print tea towels/hangings/anything. They're beautiful & unique.

Penguins, sold here, are nicer than TimTams. My DD bought me some opal jewellery in Australia.

If he happens upon local markets or gift shops, things like soaps, hand creams, moisturisers made with Australian native plant extracts or Emu oil are lovely

Second that. Opal jewellery (loads of shops selling it in Brisbane). If the riverside markets in Brisbane are still going they're a happy hunting ground. And if he gets to Montville it's full of artists and craftsmen.

Sorry, nothing beats TimTams and Penguine is too biscuit-y.

Timtams and T2 tea.

A new set of pyjamas from Peter Alexander!

Those boxes of little crackers, shapes? Come in different flavours, are delicious.

Thanks everyone!

Arnotts pizza shapes
Garlic macadamia nuts

Harvey Niks sell Tim Tams and Shapes in their Edinburgh store. B&M used to do Cherry Ripe, and once I saw Violet Crumbles, in their Aussie chocolate bit.

Save some room and risk them being in bits.

Peter Alexander pjs are lovely and there are lots of toiletries you wont get here but Id go for something thats more of a memento. Jewellery or craft items, artwork or clothing. Indigenous artwork can be very striking and beautiful.

I miss Cherry Ripe chocolate a lot.

I agree with PPs recommendation for Peter Alexander PJs.

I'd also get sheepskin slippers, Kikki K planners (and everything else), something from Zimmerman, anything from Aeosop, Jurlique or Grown Alchemist.

I'm just back from Brisbane, I brought jars of Cadbury chocolate covered peanuts, hazelnuts and almonds, Tim Tams, Deez Nutz. Wish I could've brought some Bundaberg passionfruit back though, lovely stuff

They gave Christmas jumpers with kangaroos and koalas on in their version of primark. I got one last year, it makes me smile! Can’t remember the shop name but they’re all over

A bottle of Bundaberg Rum Royal liqueur (chocolate and coffee flavour). If he is going via Bundaberg he can pick one up from the factory outlet (and visit their museum and do the factory tour at the same time). Just watch out for the drop bears!

Bundaberg Rum, Lovely sun hats (for both men and women) and I was going to say Ken Done sweatshirts but just had a look at the price of them now. 😮I bought lots of costume jewellery and crystals from local market plus the best veg peeler I have ever owned.

Thanks so much everyone. He's on his way! Flew out to Doha early this morning and now on the long 14 hour leg to Brisbane. I'm so chuffed, couple of years ago he was so stressed and struggling he either couldn't leave the house or was running away. Now he's on a plane over the Indian Ocean, travelling to the other side of the planet!

Looking forward to seeing his haul when he gets back!

Most of these have been mentioned:

• Caramel tim tams (better than plain ones)
• cherry ripes are lovely
• Almost any packet of sweets from 'Allens' brand. Their jelly babies aren't covered in powder nor make a mess everywhere! Their Snakes alive are delicious. Yes, just jelly type sweets, but tastier than ones I've found in the UK. I also like jaffas- chocolate/orange balls in a sugar shell
• Fan tails (caramel in chocolate) and minties (chewy, minty sweets)- but watch your fillings!
• Paw paw cream for scratches, bites and minor wounds
• A piece of artwork, silk scarf, wooden coasters etc made by an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander
• A christmas bauble with an Aussie theme. Surfing santa, koala with tinsel etc to remember his trip in years to come

Peter Alexander pyjamas!