Best Australian souvenirs: unique gifts for overseas

Finding the perfect Australian gift to give to someone living overseas isn’t always easy. You want something that feels special and memorable, but is also practical to carry or ship. With so many options, it can be tricky to choose a souvenir that goes beyond the usual (and boring) options like keychains and magnets.

To get your mind going, we’ve rounded up some of the best, uniquely Australian souvenirs and gifts to surprise your friends, family, or colleagues abroad. On top of that, we’ve also included a couple shipping tips to help ensure your surprise arrives safe and sound. You can also learn more about the Wise card, an easy way to stretch your dollars when paying in foreign currencies.

Best unique Australian souvenirs and gifts for overseas

From food and drink, to iconic brands and local arts, here’s some of the best Aussie gifts that represent the country, much to the delight of the recipient.

Unique Australian snacks & drinks

Sampling different foods is always a fun way to share Australia with someone living abroad. Whether it’s a gourmet treat that highlights the local produce, or something nostalgic that just about every Aussie has tried, edible gifts are always a winner.

• Tim Tams - The nation's most iconic chocolate biscuit, you can start with a packet of Tim Tam Originals, then go for something a little different like the Double Coat Tim Tam, Tim Tam Chewy Caramel or the Tim Tam Choc Mint.
• Cadbury Chocolate - Cadbury products are available overseas, but as any expat will tell you, it’s just not the same. Australian Cadbury chocolate is produced right here in the Tasmanian factory, with Freddy Frogs and Caramello Koalas easily being the most nostalgic choice.¹
• Vegemite - An acquired taste, Vegemite is to Australians what a PB&J is to Americans. It’s a fun way to try something totally different, just make sure it’s sparingly put on a piece of toast with LOTS of butter.
• Australian wine - For those who enjoy adult beverages, Australia produces some of the finest wine in the world. Among the most iconic regions are the Barossa Valley (SA), Margaret River (WA), Yarra Valley (VIC) and Hunter Valley (NSW).
• Macadamia nuts - You may not realise it, but macadamia nuts are actually an Australian native. Based on the person's tastes, you could gift them some spiced or chocolate dipped macadamias, macadamia nut butter, macadamia dukkah or a gourmet macadamia chocolate bar.
• Local spices - For foodies and people who enjoy cooking, a gift of Australian native spices could be fun. This includes lemon myrtle, wattleseed, bush tomatoes, native thyme, pepperberry, saltbush and desert lime.²

When sending food abroad, be aware there may be import restrictions in place at the destination country, for example liquor limits or bans on certain products.

Iconic Australian brands for clothing and accessories

If you’d prefer something they can get a lot of use out of, then clothing can be the way to go. There are some popular brands that make quality products right here, in Australia.

• UGG boots - Popular at home and abroad, UGG boots are an iconic Australian design. Authentic UGG boots are hand crafted in Australia using sheepskin and wool, made by local companies such as UGG Since 1974 and UGG Australia.³
• Akubra hats - Founded in 1876, Akuba offers a style of outdoors hat that’s uniquely Australian. Each one is handcrafted with quality materials, with the designs being very popular in rural areas. Akubra also makes the iconic Australian Slouch Hat, which is deeply entrenched with the nation’s military identity.⁴
• R. M. Williams - Since 1932, R. M. Williams has been crafting high quality clothing and footwear right here, in Australia. Their range includes handcrafted leather boots, kangaroo hide belts, moleskin and denim jeans, leather accessories and Grazier shirts, made in their South Australian workshop.⁵
• Surf brands - Many of the world’s most iconic surf brands have their origins in Australia, including Billabong, Rip Curl, Rusty, Quiksilver and Roxy. They helped shape the culture, and while they may not be Australian owned anymore, they are Australian inspired.

Clothes are a great one for when the person is with you, to ensure the sizing is correct. Logistically, it can be difficult if they’re overseas as the cost of returning something that doesn’t fit can often exceed the value.

Australian arts and crafts

For those who appreciate creativity, Australia has a diverse artistic scene with a mix of styles, mediums and cultural backgrounds.

• Indigenous art - Across Australia there are Indigenous people sharing their culture through art. Buying an authentic piece of Indigenous art helps support local communities, and can make for a meaningful gift with true ties to the country.
• Handmade jewellery - Finding a piece of handmade jewellery that suits the person can be a wonderful gift that becomes something sentimental. The country’s most iconic gem is opals, and Western Australia produces some of the world’s best pearls.
• Pottery - There are Australian artists whose pottery and ceramics are inspired by their surroundings. Using glazes, imagery and shapes, they create pieces that share an aspect of their Australia; a unique gift that can make a statement.

When choosing art it’s best to try and buy it directly from the artist or from a reputable gallery, to ensure it’s authentic rather than a cheap copy.

Australian gifts for kids

For younger family members or friends, something playful or educational is usually the best way to go.

• Plush toys - Australian animals are quite unique, and children who are born or live overseas often see them as something exciting and new. A plush animal like a kangaroo or koala gives them something soft to cuddle, play with, and show off to their friend.
• Australian storybooks - Australia has a rich literary scene, and there are children’s books that instantly stir up a sense of nostalgia. Classic choices include Possum Magic by Mem Fox, Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan, and Are we there yet? by Alison Lester. To learn about culture and history, consider Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy, My Place by Nadia Wheatley, and* I’m Australia Too *by Mem Fox.
• Australia themed toys - When shopping for toys in Australia you’ll find localised options that are normal for children here, but exciting overseas. Think Australian animal puppets, bath toys, figurines and puzzles, pretend Australian foods, deadly creature cards, and Australian themed games.

When shopping for children their age and interests can play a big part in what they like and will actually use, so keep this in mind while choosing the perfect Australian gift.

Practical Australian souvenirs

Sometimes the best souvenirs are the ones that combine usefulness with a touch of Australia. Look for something that blends with the person’s usual aesthetics and matches their daily activities. For example, you can consider:

• Reusable coffee cups with Australian flowers, animals or landscapes
• Tea towels with native flowers or designs from an Indigenous artist
• Stationary with Australian motifs
• Reusable shopping bags or tote bags with Australian prints
• Pajamas with Australia food, animals, flowers or an Indigenous artist print on them
• Skincare that incorporates native ingredients
• Eucalyptus oil products

There are also companies that have curated gift boxes of Australian items, which can be sent directly to loved ones, colleagues or customers abroad.

Tips for sending gifts overseas

If you're planning to ship the gifts outside of Australia, there’s a few things that are good to keep in mind.

• Check the destination country's import rules for any prohibited items or restrictions
• When choosing the courier, check with the recipient in case there are any that are considered unreliable where they live
• Pack the items securely, especially if they’re fragile, to help prevent damage during transit
• Make sure the items and values are correct on the sending paperwork, as any mistakes can cause the package to be held up at customs
• Consider getting tracking and insurance if it’s not automatically included, especially if the gifts you’re sending are high value

Save on your purchases in Australia with the Wise Card

If you're headed to Australia and planning to bring back gifts for family and friends, a smart way to spend can help your money go further. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card