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According to the stats, more than 41 million people pass through Sydney Airport each year – so it's hardly surprising that travellers leave behind a staggering amount of stuff. From laptops and jewellery to skateboards and wedding dresses (!!), the airport's lost property office sees thousands of forgotten belongings every year.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team works to reunite passengers with their missing items, successfully returning more than 6,000 lost belongings last year. But not everything makes its way home. So, once again, Sydney Airport is auctioning off thousands of unclaimed items to raise money for a good cause – and this year's online auction has officially begun.
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More than 2,300 unclaimed items are up for grabs, with bidding starting at just $10. Proceeds from the 2026 auction will fund free swimming lessons and water safety programs for Bayside residents through a partnership with Bayside Council, helping local families overcome cost and access barriers to learning this essential life skill.
So, what can bargain hunters expect? There are 120 laptops, 350 lots of jewellery and watches, 250 pairs of earbuds, 150 pairs of sunglasses, 100 bags, 100 pairs of headphones and 40 cameras going under the hammer, alongside plenty of clothing, shoes, perfume and homewares.
As always, it's the quirky finds that steal the show. Among this year's more unusual items are a wedding dress, a guitar, a Batman Lego set, three skateboards, ski boots, a fishing reel, boxing gloves, a circular saw, an air fryer, a rice cooker and even a pair of hula hoops.
Since launching in 2013, Sydney Airport's Lost Property Auctions have raised almost $2.2 million for charities and community initiatives. This year's goal is to raise a further $200,000—enough to fund more than 8,000 free swimming lessons through Bayside Council's Community Learn to Swim and Water Safety Program. The initiative will offer lessons for children, young people and adults, as well as beach and water safety education across local aquatic centres, beaches and community venues.
The online auction is being run by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, with bidding already underway. The five catalogues will close on the following dates:
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Tech & Gaming | Monday, July 6 | 11am
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Jewellery & Watches | Tuesday, July 7 | 11am
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Sunglasses, Scarves & Accessories | Tuesday, July 7 | 2pm
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Clothing & Shoes | Wednesday, July 8 | 11am
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Beauty, Alcohol & Home | Wednesday, July 8 | 2pm
Last year's auction raised more than $253,000 for Sydney Airport's Community Water Safety Program in partnership with Inner West Council, helping deliver thousands of free swimming lessons to local children. If you're keen to bag a bargain while supporting another worthwhile community initiative, now's the time to start browsing the catalogue and placing your bids.
You can view the catalogue and start bidding over here.
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