Sydney Airport auctions off thousands of lost property items - from laptops to designer goods. Here's how to snap up bargains

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Thousands of items left behind at Sydney Airport - from high-end tech gadgets to forgotten surfboards and designer items - are set to go under the hammer, with bidding starting at just $10.
The annual Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction has returned - and it's not just savvy shoppers logging on to the online sale, which features over 2,000 unclaimed items.
The auction gives shoppers the chance to browse through the treasure trove of items, including cameras, gaming consoles, jewellery, watches, perfumes, as well as plenty of one-offs like a giant teddy bear, a vacuum cleaner and even a frying pan.
There are dozens of handbags and wallets, sporting equipment such as bikes, surfboards, and golf clubs, hair styling tools, sunglasses, alcohol Kindles, and toys.
Shoppers looking to snap up big ticket items can expect to find laptops, headphones, coffee machine, and even the Lord of the Rings book collection.
The auction, run by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, is now live and will roll out across five days, with five categories closing between June 9 and June 12.
The real draw is the cause: all proceeds will go toward free swimming lessons and water safety programs for families doing it tough amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Tech and gaming closes at 11am on June 9; jewellery and watches at 11am on June 10; clothes and shoes at 11am on June 11; sunglasses, bags and accessories at 2pm on June 11; and beauty, alcohol and home at 11am on June 12.
As one bidder joked online, only at Sydney Airport could you pick up a designer handbag and a kitchen appliance in the same lot.
Casi Prischl, Director at Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, said the auction has become one of the most loved events on their calendar.
Australians log in from all corners of the country, not just for the deals but because they know they're supporting something meaningful.
This year's collection includes high-quality electronics, luxury accessories, and standout surprises for both kids and collectors.
Items are only sold after extensive efforts to reunite them with their original owners.
Funds raised will be used to support the Inner West Aquatics team, who, in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society, deliver essential swimming lessons to children who might otherwise miss out.
Sydney Airport has already contributed $100,000 to kick-start the initiative - enough to fund 4,000 swimming lessons - and hopes the auction will triple that amount.
Josh Clements, the airport's General Manager of Corporate Affairs, said the event is about more than grabbing a bargain.
The auction gives shoppers the chance to browse through the treasure trove of items. All proceeds will go toward free swimming lessons and water safety programs for families doing it tough amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures
For every $25 raised, another child receives a free swimming lesson - a vital skill that could one day save a life.
In 2024 alone, Sydney Airport welcomed over 41 million passengers and successfully returned more than 7,000 lost items.
Anything unclaimed has now been donated to charity or repurposed for the auction.
Checked baggage isn't part of the auction, as that remains the responsibility of individual airlines.
Inner West Aquatics will begin delivering the program to local children in the coming months, with hopes to eventually expand to include adult classes and broader community-based water safety programs.
So whether you're after an iPad, a bottle of designer perfume, or a one-of-a-kind kitchen gadget, the Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction is offering more than just bargains - it's giving local kids a chance to stay safe in the water.