From gold bangles to belts, the bizarre items on auction at Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport’s annual lost property auction kicked off this Monday, offering an eclectic mix of forgotten items—from luxury jewellery to household appliances—all starting at just $10. Within hours, some bids soared to nearly $1,000.

Roughly 2,000 unclaimed items are up for grabs this year, with proceeds going to a charity initiative funding swimming lessons for local children. The auction is run by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers and has already raised more than $1.9 million since 2013.

Items range from the mundane to the truly bizarre: over 250 laptops, 200 headphones, designer belts, unopened perfumes, bottles of duty-free liquor, a CPAP machine, and even an Electrolux vacuum cleaner. One item labeled a “Hooverboard” (possibly a hoverboard) also made the list—likely left behind due to airline bans.


Tech gear is in high demand, with unopened AirPods and bundles of used headphones drawing attention. But it’s the jewellery that’s creating a bidding frenzy: one 18-carat gold bracelet attracted 19 bidders and quickly reached $600. A black Gucci bag climbed to $320 after just a few hours.

According to the Yale Budget Lab, items are sourced from more than 40 million passengers passing through the airport annually. While over 7,000 items were successfully returned to their owners last year, others—like a circular saw or a sun lounge—remained unclaimed.

And yes, some “personal pleasure items” also make it into the mix, with staff noting at least one suitcase packed entirely with such belongings.

“This auction is more than just a chance to score a great find, it’s about giving back to our local community,” the airport’s corporate affairs general manager, Josh Clements was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

The auction not only offers potential bargains but also a quirky glimpse into the curious habits—and forgetfulness—of travelers. And for those living under the airport’s flight path, there’s a good chance the auction’s proceeds will soon make a splash at their local pool.