Oz and NZ-what to bring back

Old Jan 31st, 2009, 05:09 PM
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Oz and NZ-what to bring back

Ok what should we be looking for to take home??? besides memories...no I dont want a boomerang....food or something?
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 05:39 PM
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If you need any books for children how about some Australian children's classics: The Mudddle-headed Wombat, The Magic Pudding, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Blinky Bill.

There are good Sydney-themed gifts in the bookshop at the Museum of Sydney: thinkgs like place mats, small design items. Object Gallery in Burke st, Surry Hills is good for Australian jewellery, weaving, ceramics etc. Jam Factory in Adelaide is also great for crafts.

Aboriginal Art--in Sydney buy from Boomali the co-operative in Flood st, Leichhardt.

If you go to Tasmania huon pine is great for cooking implements: smells great and has a natural anti-septic effect.

Aesop and Jurlique are nice natural cosmetics.
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 06:29 PM
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Gag gifts from OZ -

Vegemite (suggest you buy the smallest jar possible)
Kangaroo jerky

Gag gifts from NZ - Possum nipple warmers, belly button warmers and willy warmers, squashed possum magents, etc

Non-gag gifts -

Calendars (easy to pack)
Wool items from NZ
Tim Tams (cookies)
Crystalized ginger/chocolate covered or plain
Honey (such as Leatherwood from TAS, Manuka from NZ)
Speciality food items like jams, dukkah, chutneys and condiments (often found at wineries)
Malteasers from OZ (the best malted milk balls in the world IMO!)
Cadbury items
Local cookbooks
Wine
Speciality liquors like Prenzels in NZ, Bundaberg Rum from OZ
Small wood products made from jarrah, marri, Tasmanian oak, blackwood, myrtle, etc (OZ)
Anything with a koala on it (OZ)
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 06:30 PM
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And lanolin!
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 06:40 PM
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Look for some of our fine merino wool garments in NZ. You won't regret buying them.
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 08:32 PM
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Ugg boots, the real thing!
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 09:08 PM
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Rob, I'm not sure how your 'friends and relatives' would feel about that!
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 09:09 PM
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Hey Melnq8 what's this, vegemite as a gag gift? I know my American friends say it tastes like axle grease, but really it does grow on you.
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 09:36 PM
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"...my American friends say it tastes like axle grease"

They probably make the common mistake of smearing it thickly on toast as though it's peanut butter instead of applying a thin scraping on top of a thick layer of butter.

I could add that people who put cheese and pickles on hamburgers are in no position to knock Vegemite.

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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 10:35 PM
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I'll have to take your word for that Susan. I've been the sole supplier of Vegemite for the Aussie husband of an American friend for years and I buy the biggest tubs I can find for him. His wife claims vegemite makes a good gravy base, but I have no intention of finding out.

I much prefer my toast with butter and jam or better yet, smeared with maple butter (whipped maple syrup) from Vermont (three jars of which will be in my hot little hands by this time next week).

Sometimes I feel like I'm in the import/export business, as it seems I'm constantly taking something to someone or bringing something back.

Funny you mention cheese and pickles Neil, because I've become rather addicted to extra sharp Tasmanian cheese with pickled onions and gerkins. You can keep the hamburger though.

Maybe I'm pregnant??? Nah...

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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 10:57 PM
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Mel, as you've probably found out by now the traditional Australian hamburger (at least in my book) relies on a large toasted bun, beef pattie, salad (shredded lettuce, tomato and beetroot) with bacon and fried egg as desitable extras. I believe this was the product of Greek cafes attempting to cater to American GIs' tastes during WW2.

For some reason the American cheese and pickle wasn't included and didn't make their appearance until McDonalds started selling their horrible excuses for a burger in the 1970s. To get a real Aussieburger you still have to search out a Green sandwich bar. Don't be tempted to try the Chiko Rolls, though.

Hypatia, sorry for hijacking your thread. I'll shut up now.

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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 11:24 PM
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Merino is just not my type, Stormbird.
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 11:27 PM
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Good to know Neil, but I can't remember the last time I ate a hamburger. I'm just not much of a meat eater. As for American cheese...yuk! You'd certainly never find that rubbery orange processed crap in my fridge.

For the sake of non-American readers, there's American cheese and then there's cheese from America. Not necessarily the same thing.

Sorry, hypatia. Our stomachs seem to have gotten the best of us.
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Old Feb 1st, 2009, 03:12 AM
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Author: hypatia
Date: 01/31/2009, 09:09 pm
Ok what should we be looking for to take home??? besides memories...no I dont want a boomerang....food or something?

You mean you want food or something?

Well taking hamburgers around the panet could make for some stodgy mouldy reminders but that could be something reminiscent the way Cairns weather is looking if you're not far off arriving.

And where have you been half yoyr life Snoz?
Cheese along with pineapple and onions have been extras well before Maccas.
Different sauces too, but actually pickles sounds pretty good too, much like using it with various dishes at home.

Either flying between NZ or Aus, or other way you'll need to be aware of restrictions, NZ being a bit tougher re some things than what Aus is, eg.
. Honey you can bring from NZ to Aus if you're only going to eastern states, no taking it to WA and pretty sure you'll find going the other way it is a real No No!
Likewise, NZ are pretty stringent on requirements for admitting any timber products, and Australia likewise, inspections and possible treatment being required.

Both countries will have restrictions on a number of other products too so check sites of http://www.daffa.gov.au/aqis and http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/

Basic information will be on your arrivals card and if in doubt always declare - in fact taking something like a chocolate bar [allowed] and declaring you have food even if that is all you'll have will likely have you going through customs quicker.

If you get a chance in Australia, get along to a shop of http://www.australiangeographicshop....a/htm/home.asp as they have some great stuff and one thing in particular that is pretty great for travellers is a collapsible sprung mesh brimmed hat - ways about 100g, and one of those you twist together to make a package about as big as your hand[or a mans hand] and it fits in a little pouch - just the thing for shading from the aussie sun.

You'll also find that a lot of food/wines including basics like Tim Tams and Cheery Ripes are available overseas, there being online stores in the US you can order from.

Vegemite is also available in a tube if you want to play pranks and squeeze some into somebody's toothpaste tube.

Bushmans is about the best brand of insect repellant either in tube or rollon and make sure you get some for Cairns way for Dengue fever [spread by mosquitoes] is already rampant and could be more so with the low system rain now falling in bucket loads - you'll find Bushmans in some supermarkets or camping type stores.

Have some long legged/sleeved gear on from afternoon through evening and check around your room in corners and about furniture, and obviosly to make sure you haven't got any unscreened openings or openings with damaged screens.

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Old Feb 1st, 2009, 12:02 PM
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Also found in NZ are sweaters made from Possum fur - super light to pack and super warm and cosy to wear.
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Old Feb 1st, 2009, 03:11 PM
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If any of your gift recipients are knitters or crocheters, buy them some merino/possum yarn. It is just lovely - soft and really warm! When we went, I wasn't actively knitting, so I didn't get any.

We bought one daughter some sterling and paua earrings, the other a pair of greenstone earrings, a book for my son, a Maori carving of a koru (fern spiral thingy), and I got a pair of greenstone earrings as well.

Lee Ann
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Old Feb 1st, 2009, 03:43 PM
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hypatia -

Bushranger makes a good point about taking food from OZ to NZ or vice versa. Both countries are very particular about what you can bring in. Honey is problematic, but most commerically prepared items (jams, cookies, chocolates, etc) are okay.

When in doubt DECLARE and save yourself a lot of grief.
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Old Feb 1st, 2009, 05:38 PM
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If they all talk like Bushranger I will need a translator.

Now Im scared of Dengue.....
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Old Feb 1st, 2009, 06:03 PM
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Just watch the possum fur mixture garments. Some of them do tend to "shed" a bit.
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Old Feb 1st, 2009, 07:08 PM
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Yes, I think shedding, pilling etc can be a hazard - however, mine is Wool, Possum and a small percentage of Nylon - have had it for a number of years and it is as good as new.
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