The bizarre items in Sydney Airport’s lost property auction

DESIGNER outfits, jewellery, watches, remote-controlled cars, iPads and make-up — these are just some of the bizarre items left behind by travellers.

DESIGNER outfits, jewellery, watches, remote-controlled cars, iPads and make-up — this is just some of the bizarre lost property left behind at Sydney Airport.

Thousands of items are on sale this week to raise money for charity, with a public viewing tomorrow ahead of an online auction that begins Wednesday and covers a host of categories.

Many items are brand-new purchases, including Australian souvenirs such as boomerangs, koala T-shirts and decorative coasters.

Other hapless travellers have managed to lose pricey Ralph Lauren eau de toilette, Calvin Klein hair and body wash, Bobbi Brown foundation and Clarins and Aesop skincare products.

Plenty of outer layers have been forgotten in the terminal, with an Alannah Hill coat, Guess jacket and Uniqlo hoodie among the abandoned clothing. Other flyers have lost new buys, including French Connection girls’ jeans, Zara shirts and an elegant Country Road black dress.

Whether you’re after a designer handbag, skincare products, jewellery or a pram, the lost property sale has it all.

The auction features all manner of children’s toys.

Children are unsurprisingly careless with their toys, with Barbie dolls, fire trucks and puzzles among the mislaid items.

Yet adults have also managed to lose sizeable homewares, including large paintings, Brett Whiteley and Aquabumps prints, toasters, irons, electronic stovetops with pans and even Ikea shelves.

It’s hard to believe people could forget guitars, prams, trumpets and Samsung televisions, but catching a plane can be stressful.

And it means others now have a great opportunity to pick up a technology bargain, with a myriad of laptops, phones, speakers, headphones and SD cards up for grabs.

The haul even includes booze such as Moet, Jameson whiskey, Bombay Sapphire gin, fancy wine and Bundaberg rum.

All of life is here, from the essential to the more unusual items — a set of nine jars of different types of honey, an American oak wine barrel, a musical jewellery box and a Russian talking doll.

Weirder items going under the hammer this week include crosses, jars of honey and paintings.

The listings all come with a warning that Sydney Airport and Pickles Auctions “cannot guarantee the authenticity of the brand or stamping on any items.”

The first $100,000 raised by the auction will form a grant for 107 Projects to help fund their Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in Green Square’s new 278-hectare community and cultural precinct.

Any additional earnings will be distributed to other charities operating in the areas surrounding Sydney Airport.

“With 150,000 people visiting the airport every day, it’s inevitable some things are left behind and this is a great way to find them a new home, and support a great cause,” said Sydney Airport managing director and CEO Kerrie Mather.

Boomerangs, decorative plates and koala T-shirts are among the souvenirs travellers have mislaid.

You might also find yourself a great deal on laptops, smartphones and headphones from top brands.

Pickles manager Richard White said that while he hosted 150 auctions a month, this one really stood out.

“The Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction is such a unique sale with so many valuable items for sale, including some that are brand new, so it’s a great chance for anyone to grab a bargain and support a number of great charities,” he said.

To attend the public viewing day, visit the auction house between 8am to 4pm on Tuesday, October 10 or view the items online here. Bidding will take place online from 9am each day.

Cameras, Headphones and Electrical — Wednesday, October 11

Smartphones — Thursday, October 12

Tablets, Laptops and IT — Friday, October 13

Perfumes, Cosmetics and Health products — Saturday, October 14

Jewellery — Sunday, October 15

Homewares, Toys and Sports gear — Monday, October 16

Wine and Spirits — Tuesday, October 17

Sunglasses, Footwear and Accessories — Wednesday, October 18

Clothing — Thursday, October 19