The last remaining discontinued Sunnyboys in Australia

Always check the back of the freezer…

sunnyboy

Cleaning out the fridge, freezer or pantry can be an exciting or terrifying task. Sometimes, you’ll discover a treat that you’ve been looking for, for weeks – other times you’ll find something so gruesome it looks like it should be in a horror film. 

Last week, taste.com.au’s food director, Michelle Southan, had a nostalgic find in her friend’s freezer – the discontinued (and beloved) ice-block, Sunnyboy. 

… and we’re certain they’ve got to be the last ones in Australia! 

What are Sunnyboy ice-blocks?

Sunnyboy ice-blocks are (sob, WERE) a range of flavoured icy treats, first launched in the 1960s. The fruity frozen treat was a summer staple among Aussies for generations. 

Sunnyboys came in four iconic flavours – Orange Explosion, Razz Raspberry, Zap Lime and Glug Cola. Other flavours were introduced at times.

The Sunnyboy was most notably known for its signature isosceles shape, which started as a tetrahedral shape but it was decided that this shape was difficult to hold (yes, we know that’s a lot of maths). 

Sunnyboys: the most-missed Aussie treat?

For decades of summers, we enjoyed Sunnyboy ice-blocks on the hot asphalt of Australian primary school playgrounds. But in 2016, it was announced that production of Sunnyboy ice-blocks would cease. The manufacturer The Daily Juice Co said that there had been reduced consumer demand for Sunnyboys.

Luckily, a Sunnyboy dupe is available on the market, but nothing will ever beat the nostalgic sweetness of an OG Sunnyboy. 

Discovered: Australia’s last remaining Sunnyboy ice-blocks

How an archaeologist feels when they discover historic artefacts is how Michelle felt when she discovered two frost-covered Sunnyboy ice-blocks at the back of the freezer. 

It all started with a trip to her friend’s house. She decided to help out her friend clean the kitchen and was tasked with cleaning the freezer. While sorting through the freezer she found the two ice-blocks and was completely shocked. 

When Monday came around, she dropped the huge news in the Taste Team group chat: 

“When cleaning out my friend’s freezer, I came across these…. who remembers them?”

The group chat went WILD. 

“OMG Sunny Boys!” – Jade

“FAVE!!!! Orange all the way” – Elisa

“razz raspberries all the way here!” – Michelle

And Laura asked the important question…“How old are they???” 

While Michelle couldn’t concretely confirm the use-by date (the dates were slightly rubbed out), she said: “It looks like the orange says 2013 and the raspberry says 2018? but the 18 is maybe a 13 as I wouldn’t have bought them separately.”

Since Sunnboy ice-blocks were discontinued in 2016, it is fair to assume that these ice-blocks were bought in 2013.

Investigation complete. These Sunnyboy ice-blocks are 11 YEARS OLD. 

Whether we’ll give them a try is still up for debate (but we don’t recommend trying food that is more than a decade old). 

Old food products on eBay

If you’re seriously desperate for a SunnyBoy fix (and use-by dates mean nothing to you), then you can purchase a 6-pack of assorted Sunnyboy flavours. 

While we can’t remember the exact price of a pack of Sunnyboy ice-blocks we’re assuming they were under $10. However, these Sunnboy ice-blocks on eBay will set you back $300! 

We might pass on that one. 

Discontinued Aussie treats we want back

All this Sunnyboy talk got you feeling nostalgic? Sunnyboy ice-blocks aren’t the only treat we want to revive so here are a few of our favourites:

• Lift: While it’s only been gone for two years, we long for days of sipping on this lemony soft drink. 
• Space Food Sticks: Before being discontinued in 2014, these energy sticks were in every Aussie lunchbox. 
• Lattice biscuits: Vanilla slice has never been the same since Arnott’s discontinued this bikkie. Luckily, there are a few other biscuits that ALMOST make up for this loss. 
• Green Frogs: They may have been polarising but oh boy were they iconic. Allen’s, we’re begging for their return!
• Polly Waffle: In 2009, the beloved waffle wafer tube filled with marshmallow and coated in chocolate was discontinued, but fear not they’re coming back in a slightly different way!
• The original Milo Bar: Yes, you can buy Milo bars but they’re just not the same as the OG compacted Milo covered in chocolate bar. Please bring them back, Nestle.

Originally published as The last remaining discontinued Sunnyboys in Australia