The treasure (and trash) of Sydney Airport’s lost property auction

by · Australian Financial Review

Anna McCooe, , Maxim Donni, , Lauren Sams, , Larissa Yu, , Charis Perkins, , Nicky Catley, , Luke Bennedictus and , John Davidson
Jul 2, 2026 – 10.01am

You have to feel for the traveller who misplaced his/her portable bidet at the airport. Or the owner of the wedding dress that never made it out of the terminal. And let’s also hope the passenger who lost her 21ct gold Indian bridal necklace was insured. These items are among the 2300 curious and occasionally luxurious unclaimed items up for grabs this week as Sydney Airport’s 2026 Lost Property Auction goes live.

With proceeds going Sydney Airport’s Community Water Safety Program, last year’s auction raised $253,142 to fund 14,000 free swimming lessons for families in the Inner West Council area. This year, Bayside Council families will benefit from the program.

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Anna McCooeSenior travel writerAnna McCooe is The Australian Financial Review’s senior travel writer.

Maxim DonniProduction editor, Life & LeisureMaxim Donni is the production editor of Life & Leisure at the Financial Review, based in Sydney. He writes about dining, hospitality and culture, and was previously editor of Time Out and Concrete Playground. Email Maxim at maxim.donni@afr.com

Lauren SamsFin editor, deputy editor AFR Magazine and fashion editorLauren Sams is the editor of Fin Magazine, The Australian Financial Review’s luxury quarterly edition. She is also the deputy editor at The Australian Financial Review Magazine and the fashion editor. She writes about the business of fashion and beauty. Email Lauren at lauren.sams@afr.com
Larissa YuArt directorLarissa is an art director for Life & Leisure, Fin! and AFR Magazine Email Larissa at larissa.yu@nine.com.au

Charis PerkinsLife & Leisure editorCharis Perkins edits The Australian Financial Review's weekly lifestyle liftout, covering the arts, fashion, design, travel, wine, fine dining, sports, motoring and more. Life & Leisure is published online and in the Friday and weekend editions. Email Charis at cperkins@afr.com
Nicky CatleyPicture editorNicky Catley is a Photo Editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian Financial Review.

John DavidsonColumnistJohn Davidson is an award-winning columnist, reviewer, and senior writer based in Sydney and in the Digital Life Laboratories, from where he writes about personal technology. Connect with John on Twitter. Email John at jdavidson@afr.com

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