I will be traveling to Australia in September. I am meeting up with a pen pal I have had since the 6th grade (20 years), this will be our first time meeting. She has a hubby and 2 kids. I'm wondering if any Aussies out there can give me gift ideas (I'd like to bring something for the adults and kids), that maybe aren't available in Australia. I'm from the US.

Thanks!!

Sirocco, I have always given "books" to my relatives or friends overseas, especially books on Australia, which enventually encouraged them to visit us down under. Good quality books (not too heavy)make a wonderful gift, and will become part of their book collection, to be read over & over again.

I'm not an Aussie, but I often give regional cookbooks as gifts. I don't know where you're from, but you might consider taking a Junior League cookbook from your area for your friend, especially if she likes to cook. Keep in mind that the measurements might be be different, so you might want to include a set of US measuring cups and/or measuring spoons.

Sirocco- I'd fill half your suitcase with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!!! They are DEvine! You CAN buy them in Australia, but they are really hard to find. I'm not a chocaholic, but I became addicted to them in the US. That gift will at least keep the kids happy!"Anything Disney" would have sufficed a few years ago- but we now have Disney stores here, so getting a "real" Mickey won't make the same impact.
Where in the US are you from? That will give me a clue about what you can bring that we Aussies would like. Personally, I found a lot of the South West's Native American art and jewellery really appealing. Sand paintings, Navajo turquoise/silver etc. I bought loads. Tip me off as to where you live. That will help.
Possum

Another idea is the packets of small individually wrapped chocolates - I think they are Hersheys and you can't get them here in Australia. We've bought them in Longs Drugstores and also in supermarkets - they have different colour wrappers for the different brands. Also packets of choc kisses (Hersheys?) in different flavours. You can get the kisses here but they aren't that common. A choc bar I love that you can't buy here is the dark chocolate Milky Way with a white nougat centre...mmm. You can buy Milky Ways here but they are completely different (not as good). Can you tell we're chocoholics?
Australian customs are very strict about bringing in any foodstuffs - make sure you declare everything as they have sniffer dogs to detect food in people's luggage - but we haven't had a problem with bringing in chocolate. Usually if it's a commercially bought product that is still sealed you will be OK.
Another item I just thought of is Cajun spice, we bought some in New Orleans and it's much better than anything you can buy here.
Kay

I'm from Minnesota. My friend is from Bendigo, and her kids are small - 2 and 6 years old.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!!

Continuing the Cajun food theme, whatever you do, don't bring andouille sausage. Meat products are a non-no. I don't know about KayF, but I've never seen New Orleans-style coffee-chicory mix on sale in Australia.

Sirocco,

I love gift giving when I travel! Wonderful, thoughtful idea on your part.

I can't believe you've had a pen pal for 20 year and are just meeting for the first time ( I wonder - are you email pals now)?

I always pack small gift for people who have gone out of their way for me, or just are absolutely delightful. I'm constantly amazed (and gratified) to see what happiness a small token can bring.

I'm in California and have gone to the local Walgreens and gotton keychains (surfboards, Golden Gate Bridge, mini-tape measure, etc), they pack flat and people seem to love them. Potholders emblazoned with "California" on them. Russell Stover mini-chocolate samplers (again, easy to pack). Cool balls - go to wwww.coolballs.com. Again, easy to pack and inexpensive.

Any kind of spice packet that they can't get there (I once took a "sourdough starter bread kit" which was a HUGE hit). T-towels - four years later I got an email that they still hadn't used them, but proudly displayed them)

For my friend who lived in NZ for awhile..things she missed: Neosporin (which I consider a miracle drug and apparently not offered there); Cheezits for her kids.

Really, it's kind of a trading venue - we give them Oreos and we get back Tim Tams!

Hope this is helpful!

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

I'm finally meeting my penpal, Libby, in Australia, flying down on my 56th birthday, 7/26/2012 who I have been touch with mostly since I was 10 and she was 9.
I'll be there for a month, then we will be flying together to Indonesia for three weeks before I return.

Happy meetings and safe travels.