If you’re planning a trip to Sydney and wondering what souvenirs to bring back, here’s my detailed and honest guide to the best things to buy in Sydney in 2025. I’ve included items I personally used, tested, and loved after a previous trip in 2023, along with updated shopping suggestions, market picks, and where to find local favorites.
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Spoiler: As a person from Taiwan, I don’t recommend paw paw balm or sheep oil because everyone knows it plus they’re way too greasy for Taiwan’s climate. Also, beware of kangaroo testicle bottle openers – they can be confiscated by customs even if declared when you broght it back to Taiwan, so mind the regulation of your next flight after Australia if you’re interested of those.
Supermarket Must-Buys in Australia
Woolworths & Coles
These are the two major supermarket chains in Australia. You’ll find most items in both stores, but prices can vary depending on sales. If you’re shopping for snacks or essentials, visit both to get the best deals.
Remedy Kombucha
I used to brew my own kombucha. I did tried something like Synergy from the States and other brands in Europe but Remedy is the only brand I really like, which tastes like soda, I tried every flavor, and they were all refreshing. The ginger lemon + orange juice mix is great, but the pink grapefruit is my top pick. You’ll even find it in Manila Starbucks!
A2 Protein Milk
Australia now has A2-only milk, which is supposedly gentler on the stomach for people with dairy sensitivity. It doesn’t taste special or rich, just way cheaper(compared to milk in Taiwan)
Sweet Strawberries & Greek Yogurt
Strawberries labeled “sweet” were insanely fragrant and juicy – We bought a box every day! Greek yogurt in Australia is rich and completely different from what we get in Taiwan.
Chai Tea (ARKADIA Brand)
This is popular in both supermarkets and at The Rocks Markets. I bought the 99% sugar-free version, but even that was quite sweet when mixed with milk because most of the sugar is replaced by Erythritol. Recommend buying the completely sugar-free version if available.
Snacks & Tea
- TWININGS Australian Afternoon Tea: individually wrapped, perfect for gifting
- Dilmah Extra Strong Tea (purple box): my mom and brother love it
- Arnott’s Shapes: available in 15-pack minis; I liked the pizza and BBQ flavors but found them salty. The chicken flavor was the best.
- Natural Chips : the flavor black pepper and sea salt is only at Woolworths
- Kettle Chips: OK, but not my favorite
- Yogurt Drinks: found a pouch-style yogurt drink on the last day – surprisingly good
Australia labels packaged food with a health star rating (1–5). The only thing with 5 stars? Water. XD
If you don’t have time for dinner, you can fine sandwiches at the supermarket.
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T2 Tea: Premium Souvenirs
I visited the flagship store in the Queen Victoria Building (QVB). T2 has been globally popular for years – they even have branches in Singapore. I saw Japanese and French tourists buying teas here.
- Tons of gift sets
- Some flavors available in supermarkets
- Lots of teas to smell, but no more free tastings like before
Pro tip: The airport shop has better stock even if it’s not cheaper. I found French Earl Grey at the airport after it was sold out in stores.
Gift Shops near Sydney Opera House
Benny is a Seal that resides around Sydney Opera House. You can even find Benny Seal Resting Point on Google map. Sadly, we didn’t see him resting this time. But we found the cute magnet in the souvenir shops around.
Walk along Macquarie Street and you’ll find several souvenir stores near the Opera House. I never visited them before, assuming they were pricey
These round pins are sold in sets and are 19 or 20 per pack. There’s also an app for collecting points. I later saw them at the airport (AUD$18, different design).
KKday/Klook also offer Chinese-language guided tours of the Opera House.
Paddy’s Market = Souvenir Heaven
You absolutely must visit Paddy’s Market for souvenirs—it’s packed with stalls selling at wholesale prices. After traveling around the world in 2023, I’ve found that souvenirs here are incredibly affordable and easy to buy in bulk—even cheaper than those in Southeast Asia. You’ll find koala plushies or keychains sold in bundles of 5 or 10, making them perfect for sharing with friends and family.
I know this doesn’t look flattering but there are better chains out there. My mom wanted to buy a Australia flag foldable bag on blue mountain and I told her it’s definitely cheaper in Paddy’s Market and she ended up buying it for 2x the price on blue mountain.
- 5-packs or 10-packs of koala keychains or magnets
- Badges, pins, stickers – incredibly cheap
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan accordingly.
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Chemist Warehouse Must-Buys
Locations
Located all over Sydney. The one on George Street is super convenient. I don’t know about the rest of the world but we Taiwanese love to buy supplements from another country because all these imported stuff are expensive.
Red Seal Toothpaste
I’ve used over 3 tubes of this New Zealand fluoride-free toothpaste. Chemist Warehouse had the best price: AUD$3+, compared to over AUD$4 at Coles.
Goat Milk Soap
Smells great, good texture. I bought two.
A pack of 2 costs around AUD$4. Great for small gifts.
Trilogy Rosehip Oil
The brand trilogy is from New Zealand, also bought one, but use it quickly after opening to avoid oxidation.
Cancer Council Sunscreen
Didn’t buy it this time, but it’s a popular local pick.
Neutrogena Retinol
Half-price deal, so I picked one up.
Blackmores Fish Oil
Bought the regular formula in a large bottle. The price vs. Taiwan came out about 1.6x cheaper.
Dollar Avenue (World Square)
This store is a Sydney classic – hasn’t changed location in over 10 years. Great place for:
- Dress-up gear (for parades or themed parties)
- Cheap souvenirs if Paddy’s Market is closed
Staff speak Chinese, and it’s especially fun during holidays like Mardi Gras or St. Patrick’s Day.
Although I mainly recommend buying super affordable souvenirs at Paddy’s Market, if you happen to visit on a Monday or Tuesday when it’s closed, you can still pick up a few items here—it still feels cheaper than most other places.
Taiwanese Snacks in Sydney
There’s a large Asian market at the basement of World Square. I am delighted to see there are so many Taiwanese snacks to choose from.
These are legit beloved brand that consumed by local Taiwanese people, I especially recommend I-MEI. The one with logo that look like a crown.
I actually frequently visited their original store in Dadaocheng Taipei last year, as I mentioned in this article:
Dadaocheng: History, Culture and Food – A Local’s Guide of Dihua Street
Our famous Kuai Kuai Corn Snack the kid with a navy hat. The most popular one, the green one, is out of stock. As we use it as a good-luck charm that ensure machines co-operate. I didn’t make that up, there’s wiki page and BBC news.
What to Buy at Sydney Airport
Food & Drinks
- Tim Tam (family pack): very sweet, I suggest getting the dark chocolate version from supermarkets instead
- T2 Teas: wider selection than the store, but not cheaper
- Local wines & spirits: remember to ask for airport-sealed bags or you may get stopped at layover customs (yes, it happened to us)
Mardi Gras Themed Wine
Each label celebrates a different gender identity flag – super thoughtful and cute. You’ll find these on airport shelves during festival season.
I also noticed branded perfumes are often cheaper at the airport.
Final Thoughts
Sydney is an amazing place to shop for souvenirs. Whether you’re into snacks, skincare, or iconic keepsakes, there’s something affordable and meaningful for everyone.
My only regret? Not buying more fish oil – such great value.
Thanks for reading and I have many other articles about Sydney on my Mandarin site, if you don’t mind reading it via google translate, please click here for restaurants and gelato recommendations and secret spots to take the best shot of Sydney Opera House!
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