Top 10 Most Popular Duty Free Items Travellers Buy Online on Laneway

Part of the excitement of booking an international flight is thinking about what you're going to pick up duty free. Whether it's a bottle of something you've been eyeing, a fragrance for yourself or a few Australian treats to gift to the people you've missed, duty free shopping is one of those little travel rituals that makes the whole trip feel more special.

The good news is, if you're flying through Melbourne Airport, you don't have to wait until you get there. On Laneway, Melbourne Airport's official online duty free shopping platform, you can browse and order from home well before your flight.

Shopping duty free on Laneway has a few things going for it beyond just the GST-free prices. From the points you can earn to sorting duty free shopping from the comfort of your couch, it's set up to give you more value, however you like to shop.

• Something for everyone on your list. Laneway has a massive range of duty free products, from spirits and wine to fragrance, skincare, makeup and travel essentials. Whether you're buying for yourself or ticking off a few names on your list, you'll find it all in one place.
• Big names, better prices. Laneway brings together globally recognised brands alongside some of the best Australian names in wine, food, beauty and more. From Penfolds and Bundaberg to Lancôme and Jo Malone London, there's a good chance your favourites are already on the platform.
• No GST. Everything you buy on Laneway is sold without the 10% Goods and Services Tax. That means whatever ends up in your cart costs you less than it would at a regular retailer.
• Earn Qantas Points. If you're a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent on eligible purchases. Just add your membership number at checkout, and points are credited within 7 days of purchase and collection. Keep in mind that tobacco, e-cigarettes, gift cards, and VUSH products are excluded.
• Pay your way. Laneway accepts Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, UnionPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Afterpay, so you can pay however suits you best.
• Order from home, collect when you travel. You can pre-order on Laneway up to 60 days before your flight, any time of day or night. Shopping last-minute? Just make sure you place your order at least 24 hours before your flight, and you're all set.
• Collection counters are open 24/7. Whether your flight lands at noon or 3 am, the Terminal 2 collection points will be open, and your order will be waiting.

From crowd-pleasing bottles to beauty buys you've had your eye on for months, the best sellers on Laneway tell you a lot about what's actually worth buying duty free. Here are the 10 most popular duty free items travellers keep coming back to, and what makes each one worth a look before you fly.

1. Spirits

Buying for yourself or picking up a bottle for someone hard to shop for? Either way, Laneway has duty free liquor, from whisky, gin and vodka to tequila, cognac, brandy and liquers for every taste.

Glenlivet and St Remy have bottles broad enough for a first-timer and good enough for someone who already knows their spirits. For something that lands well no matter who you’re buying for, you can’t go wrong with Hennessy and Baileys.

Love a good cocktail? Gin drinkers tend to gravitate toward brands like Bombay Sapphire, while Absolut is the vodka that just works, whatever the occasion. If you’re feeling adventurous, 1800 is worth a look if tequila is your thing. But for something a bit closer to home, Bundaberg has been an Australian staple for generations and still holds its own against anything imported.

2. Wine and Champagne

If there's one thing international visitors consistently want to shop duty free, it's a good bottle of wine. Laneway's wine and champagne range covers reds, whites, sparkling and fortified wines, so whether you're buying to share, to gift, or to savour later, there's something worth adding to your order.

Penfolds is probably the first name that comes to mind for Australian wine, and for good reason. It's one of the country's most iconic wine brands and the kind of bottle that feels like a proper piece of Australia to take home.

Brown Brothers also offers a broad range of reds, whites, and sparkling wines that suit all kinds of palates, while Taylors is the Clare Valley label wine lovers tend to seek out, particularly for its reds. If Barossa Valley is your thing, Grant Burge delivers bold, full-bodied character across their range.

3. Fragrances

Laneway's duty free fragrance range spans from everyday wearables to statement scents, with brands that range from classic to contemporary. Jo Malone London is the one people reach for when they want something elegant without being over-the-top, while Burberry has modern, effortless scents that cross genders and occasions.

If you lean toward something clean and quietly distinctive, Issey Miyake is worth a look. But if you want something with a bit more depth and character, Maison Margiela's Replica line captures specific moods and moments in a way that tends to stay with people long after the first wear.

5. Skincare and Bath and Body Essentials

Skincare is one of those things that's easy to overlook until you realise you're running low on your favourites right before a trip. On Laneway, you’ll find serums, moisturisers, body oils, and bath essentials, with brands that stock travel-exclusives you won't find in-store.

For skincare, Elizabeth Arden and Lancôme are the brands frequent travellers reach for when they want real results. If you prefer something rooted in nature, Aesop has a devoted following for its botanically-based hand and body care, while Jurlique uses biodynamic farm-grown ingredients.

5. Makeup

Laneway's best-selling duty free makeup range runs from fun, everyday brands to some of the most coveted luxury labels in beauty. Tom Ford and Gucci are the ones makeup lovers tend to splurge on for their rich pigments, luxe formulas, and packaging that makes the whole experience feel considered.

Benefit is the fun, unpretentious brand that delivers where it counts. But if a glam, social-media-inspired look is more your style, Kylie Cosmetics has the lip products and eyeshadow palettes that put the brand on the map.

6. Watches

Watches are one of those duty free items on Laneway that reward a bit of browsing. The range spans Swiss heritage pieces through to everyday lifestyle brands. If Swiss watchmaking is what you're after, Tissot offers genuine quality at a price point that makes duty free feel even better. Raymond Weil sits in similar territory but leans more toward refined dress watches. Fossil, Casio and Tommy Hilfiger have everyday options that wear well across casual and smart looks.

7. Sunglasses

Whether you're heading somewhere sunny or just replacing a pair that's seen better days, Laneway has duty free sunglasses that practically justify themselves.

For a sunny destination, Maui Jim's polarised lenses are hard to beat. They’re designed specifically for bright conditions, and the kind you notice on first wear. Oakley is the go-to for anything more active, but if you're replacing an old favourite, Laneway’s Ray-Ban collection includes Wayfarer and Aviator classics that most people keep coming back to. Want a more premium pick? Duty free Prada sunglasses are perfect for those who want the upgrade without paying full retail for them.

8. Food and Confectionery

Food and confectionery are some of those duty free items that tend to sneak into the cart regardless of what you came to buy. Whether it's something to share on the way home or a few sweet things to bring back, Laneway's range is worth a scroll.

Most people end up with at least some Cadbury in their Laneway order, and honestly, that's never a bad call. Lindt is worth considering if you want something that feels a bit more of an occasion, particularly the Lindor truffles. If you haven't come across Nutworks before, their Australian nut and confectionery packs are the kind you pick up once and then look for every time after.

9. Gifts and Australian Souvenirs

Picking up souvenirs for the people you're heading home to is one of those things that's easy to leave too late. The best part? Sorting it on Laneway before you travel means you're not scrambling at the last minute, and the range has enough variety to cover most people on your list.

For something that feels genuinely Australian, Koala Farm, Patons and Banksia Red have chocolate-shaped koalas, macadamias and snack packs that are worth adding to the cart. Got kids waiting at home? LEGO at duty free prices is hard to argue with, while Miffy Plush has toys that rarely need much selling once a younger kid spots them.

10. Travel Essentials

On Laneway, the most popular duty free picks are travel essentials that most don't even think about until they need them. From travel adapters to sleep masks and pillowcases, these are the small things that make an international trip noticeably better.

A travel adapter is the most practical buy on the list. Wall sockets vary from country to country, and Korjo has options so you're not hunting for one when you land. Want better sleep on a long-haul? If you’re flying out, order Slip's silk sleep masks and pillowcases on Laneway before you fly.

Duty free shopping on Laneway works entirely online. It’s a click-and-collect shopping platform, so you browse and place your order from home, and then collect everything at the international terminal when you travel.

Here's how it works, step by step:

1. Browse and add to cart. Head to laneway.melbourneairport.com.au and start shopping. You can order up to 60 days before your flight, but make sure you do it at least 24 hours before departure or arrival. As you shop, you'll be asked whether you're arriving or departing. Choose the one that applies to you.
2. View your cart and hit checkout. Once you've found what you're after, take a look at your cart before moving on. This is a good moment to make sure everything looks right. If you have a discount code, add it here. And when you’re happy with everything, tap Proceed to Checkout.
3. Enter your details and place your order. Add your flight details, your Qantas Frequent Flyer info if you have one, and your preferred payment method. Laneway accepts Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, UnionPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Afterpay. Then click Place Order.

Your order will be waiting at Melbourne International Airport. If you’re arriving in Melbourne, head to the Collection Counter at T2 International Arrivals before clearing customs. Flying out? Collect from Melbourne Duty Free in T2 International Departures after passport control. Check the airport maps before you travel if you want to know exactly where to go.

To collect your order, your passport and order confirmation are all you need. But if you're collecting alcohol or tobacco, have your ID ready. You'll need to be 18 or over.

Whatever's on your duty free shopping list, you'll find it all here on Laneway. Browse by category, place your order, and we'll have everything ready for you to collect when you travel.

Still have questions before you order? Visit our FAQs page for everything from changing your order to what to bring on collection day. If you want to stay across new arrivals, seasonal picks, and the occasional deal worth knowing about, subscribe to Melbourne Airport's Shopping News newsletter and follow us on social media.

Disclaimer: Only passengers travelling internationally from/to Melbourne Airport can purchase goods via the Laneway. Please note that some goods may have minimum age requirements (for example, alcohol/tobacco) and ID will need to be provided at the time you collect the goods from the relevant collection point. Purchases of alcohol and tobacco via the Laneway must not be made by any person who is under 18 years of age.