We are going to Australia and New Zealand in February. Does anyone have any suggestions on things to buy?

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Andrew G

Opals in Austrlia (you can get some nice ones for a reasonable price; but top-drawer ones are very expensive).

In New Zealand, the gemstone of choice is nephrite Jade, which is carved into a variety of shapes and items. If you visit the craft shops themselves (rather than souvenir shops) you will get a better deal, and can often pick up uncarved offcuts of stone for a reasonable price.

Freshwater pearls are available in both countries: odd-shaped and generally small; but nevertheless attractive. A freshwater pearl necklace can be purchased for a fraction of the price of cultured pearl; but if price is not an object, a pair of pearl earrrings make a great gift.

You can buy hardwod craft items, made of Australian wood such as Jarrah or red river gum, or New Zealand wood such as rimu pine that are quite attractive and useful. There are lots of genuine craft shops that specialise in such things (pottery items are another option, but not unique to these countries)

Try to avoid buying tacky tourist 'art' boomerangs and such in souvenir shops: they are low quality and mass produced, but try to appear otherwise.

As Rosa said, wool products feature in both countries. You can buy the most beautiful hand knitted wool jumpers (sorry; sweaters) in craft shops in both countries. Again, try to avoid the highly-coloured wool 'art' garments in specialist stores such as at airport duty free shops. They are made to target the Japanese market and are hellishly overpriced.

Finally; try to make your purchases outside the big cities; preferrably in smaller towns that cater for the tourist trade. Russel (North Island), Arrowtown (South Island) in New Zealand and Berrima (outside Sydney) are three such places that spring to mind; but there are lots of others.

tamara m

most of the places with gemstones are rather remote, if you go to western australia they have pearls which are farmed in Broome, Opals from Cooper Pedy, Amethyst from Alice Springs. If you stay on the east coast your pretty much limited to the usual made in china tourist trap souveniers, most of the valuable stuff is found in the more remote areas of the country.

rosa

I don't know about pearls, but opals from Australia, and a Tiki (not shore the spelling) on a necklace from New Zealand. New Zealand has lots of sheep if you are interested in sheep skin. Both countries produce wine. Things are more expensive in New Zealand. If you have lots of money how about real estate!!

mattyfergintass

aboriginal and mauroi art work

Aussie Babe

You might be better off buying things which are from the area you are visiting - they'll be cheaper and more meaningful.

BayBerry

Australia is more expensive the New Zealand. In New Zealand there is Maori jewelry - bone and greenstone. It is bad luck to buy greenstone for yourself. If you want cheap, fake stuff, find a flea market. I went to an afternoon market in downtown Queenstown in the summer and found really cheap stuff. Also paua shells (a type of shellfish found only near NZ) are beautiful and made into decorations, jewelry, etc. And both Australia and NZ have TIM TAMS!!! Inexpensive chocolately goodness. I bought a whole crate to take home with me!

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