Popular British Sweets That Aren’t Available In Australia

There is no denying that Australia is one of the most popular destinations for expats and many will choose to move down under. It is easy to see what makes Australia so appealing to Brits and it really is a beautiful place to live, but it is very far from home. With the average direct flight from the UK to Australia being over 24hrs, it isn’t easy to pop back to see family, or to stock up on your favourite British brands.


When moving to Australia, one thing that people notice is how different the food brands are to those in the UK and there are a surprising number of things you’re unable to pick up in a local supermarket. Those who have a sweet tooth tend to be disappointed by the number of British sweets that aren’t available in Australia and many have to import their favourites.


If you’re curious as to which British sweets aren’t available in Australia, below we have looked into some of the most popular bags that expats aren’t able to easily get hold of. 

Maynards Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts


Whilst you may be able to get ‘knock-off’ versions of Liquorice Allsorts in Australia, many who live there struggle to purchase the real deal and finding a box of Maynards Bassetts can be an impossible task. Whilst liquorice isn’t everyone’s favourite, lots of Brits love this unique flavoured sweet treat and Liquorice Allsorts can be found in almost every British store as they’re known as a stereotypically British packet of sweets. 

Starburst packets of sweets 


Many Australians have said that they used to easily be able to get hold of Starburst sweets in stores like Coles and Woolworths, but many have stopped stocking them in the past couple of years and now they aren’t as easy to come by. The entire Starburst range, from their classic Original Fruit Chews to their Gum Fruity Mix Mini Pellets, is missed by many down under and lots of people are searching for new ways to get their Starburst fix. 


Maynards Bassetts Midget Gems 


This is another Maynards Bassetts British sweet that isn’t available in Australia when you’re simply shopping in a local store. It seems like other brands, like Lions Midget Gems, are easier to get hold of than Maynards Bassetts Midget Gems. The same goes for wine gums too, they have other brands on their shelves but the traditional bag that has been enjoyed by generations of British families isn’t as easy to get hold of, or as affordable either. 


Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles


Here in the UK, Rowntrees are known for their impressive range of sweets, from their Fruit Gums and their Randoms to their Pick & Mix, and they line the shelves here in British supermarkets. However, many say that they aren’t as easy to get hold of in Australia. Whilst they do have things such as Jelly Tots, but they’re called Jelly Babies instead, the classic Fruit Pastilles are slightly harder to come by in a standard store. 


Different types of Haribo 


Some Australians say that they can get hold of a few bags of Haribo in their supermarkets, but their selection definitely isn’t as vast as it is here in the UK. As you probably know, there are a number of different types of Haribo in British supermarkets, from classic Starmix to their frequently sought-after Tangfastics and Goldbears, but not all of these are available in all Australian stores too. 


Maoam bags of sweets 


Unlike British supermarkets, Australian stores don’t tend to stock the many different bags of Maoam sweets that people know and love in the UK. Often, when doing the weekly shop, a bag of Maoam Mao Mix or Maoam Pinballs will make their way into the trolley and these morish sweets are enjoyed by the whole family. You may be able to pick them up in some Australian stores, but they’re likely to be very pricey. 


Purchasing British sweets in Australia


Unless you currently live in Australia or you have lived in Australia before, you probably didn’t realise just how many amazing British sweets you can’t easily get down under. It is no surprise that many choose to stock up on their favourite brands when visiting the UK or that lots of people request ‘care packages’ from home on a regular basis. It is fair to say that whilst Australia might have beautiful weather, it definitely doesn’t have the best sweet treats. 


When you’re wanting to purchase British sweets in Australia, be sure to visit the British Essentials website. We have been exporting everything from traditionally English chocolates and biscuits to tea bags and store cupboard essentials since 2014 and you really can rely on us for all of your favourite British foods and drinks. With international delivery available on our site, just because you live in Australia doesn’t mean you have to miss out on any British products, so be sure to check out what we can offer you today.

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Comments

Peter - January 8, 2023

Plenty of Australians visit and work in UK and I doubt Australian lollies are sold there. Rowntrees fruit pastilles used to be sold everywhere in Australia back in the 60s.
I don’t know why Brits expect their home products to be available in another country. When I lived in the UK I tried the local product, well, I had no choice. But that is part of travelling.

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