One of my favorite travel souvenirs isn’t something that sits on a shelf.

It’s something I can enjoy in my kitchen.

After returning home from Australia this spring, one of the treasures that found its way into my suitcase was a jar of raw organic honey from Kangaroo Island. A few weeks later, as I prepared a watermelon, blueberry, and feta salad for our Fourth of July celebration, I reached for that little jar instead of the honey already sitting in my pantry.

With one drizzle, I was transported back to South Australia.

That’s the beauty of traveling through food.

Why Is Kangaroo Island Honey So Special?

Kangaroo Island isn’t just famous for its incredible wildlife and dramatic coastal scenery. It’s also home to one of the purest honey industries in the world.

The island’s Ligurian honey bees are among the last remaining pure populations of their kind. Originally brought from Italy in the late 1800s, the bees have remained isolated on Kangaroo Island thanks to strict biosecurity measures that protect them from pests and diseases found elsewhere. The result is a beautifully pure honey that has become one of the island’s signature products and a source of great pride for local producers.

Whether enjoyed by the spoonful, drizzled over fruit, paired with cheese, or stirred into tea, Kangaroo Island honey offers a taste that is every bit as authentic as the island itself.

A Destination for Food Lovers

While many travelers visit Kangaroo Island hoping to spot kangaroos, koalas, sea lions, echidnas, and remarkable birdlife, food lovers quickly discover another side of the island.

Kangaroo Island is home to artisan honey, fresh seafood, handcrafted cheeses, eucalyptus products, spirits, wines, and so much more. The island’s producers are passionate about their craft, and that passion shines through in every bite and sip.

One of my favorite ways to experience a destination is by meeting the people behind the products. That’s why I love recommending food-focused experiences like the Exceptional Kangaroo Island tours, where visitors can sample local specialties while learning the stories behind the island’s farms, apiaries, wineries, and artisans.

It’s one more reason Kangaroo Island continues to rank among my Top 10 Things to See and Do in Australia.

Bringing Australia Home

This Fourth of July, I wanted to make something light, colorful, and refreshing for our family gathering, so I prepared a watermelon, blueberry, and feta salad.

The dressing couldn’t have been simpler:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Kangaroo Island raw organic honey
• Fresh lime juice
• A pinch of salt and pepper

I tossed it with juicy watermelon, sweet blueberries, creamy feta, and plenty of fresh mint and basil. The herbs added a bright, summery flavor that paired beautifully with the honey, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Its festive red, white, and blue colors added the perfect spark to our Fourth of July table, while the Kangaroo Island honey reminded me that travel memories can be enjoyed long after the journey ends.

And yes, I may have licked the spoon clean after making the dressing. The honey was just that good.

The best part, though, was getting to share a little taste of Australia with new friends. It’s amazing how one simple ingredient can spark conversations, share stories from your travels, and introduce others to a destination they may never have considered visiting.

But for me, the best ingredient wasn’t listed on the recipe.

It was the memory.

Every drizzle of that honey reminded me of Kangaroo Island—the pristine landscapes, incredible wildlife, and passionate local producers who take such pride in sharing the island’s unique flavors. That’s the magic of bringing a little piece of your travels home.

Travel Through Your Taste Buds

One of the reasons I love bringing home local food products is that the journey doesn’t end when the suitcase is unpacked.

Whether it’s honey from Kangaroo Island, olive oil from Italy, maple syrup from Canada, chocolate from Belgium, or spices from Morocco, every ingredient becomes an invitation to relive a destination.

Sometimes the best souvenir isn’t something you display.

Sometimes it’s something you share around the table.

Lisa’s Passport Tip

Whenever I travel, I leave a little extra room in my suitcase for local food products. Honey, spices, tea, jams, olive oil, chocolate, and locally made treats are some of my favorite souvenirs because every time I use them, I get to relive the destination all over again—and occasionally introduce family and friends to a little taste of the world.

Originally published July 2026 as part of the Passport for Your Palate series.

Let’s begin with what a Tim Tam is. It is Australia’s most delectable little chocolate-covered biscuit and legendary snack. It would be purely sacrilegious to visit Australia and not eat one of these treats. The biscuit has been around since 1964 and has been an Australian diet staple ever since. It has the original cookie, but Aronott’s, the creator, also has other options, including gluten-free, double chocolate, caramel, dark mint, and more! And the excellent news for you is that you can purchase them in the United States at various grocery stores. 

Now, here is the fun part: enjoying a Tim Tam Slam. A Tim Tam Slam is where your cookie becomes a straw for your hot cocoa or coffee. How does this cookie become a straw? My children and I were fortunate to have my dear Aussie mate, Melissa, demonstrate and teach us the art of a Tim Tam Slam one New Year’s Eve several years ago. And, this holiday, after receiving a box of Australian chocolate treats, my daughter Greta and I had to give it another go. 

Tim Tam Slam

What you Need:

• Tim Tams-purchase at your local store or online.
• Beverage-select and make your beverage Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, or Port. It can be any drink that is not too thick that you enjoy.
• Napkins

How to Slam:

1. Remove one biscuit from the wrapper.
2. Hold the biscuit on a diagonal.
3. Take a smallish bite off one corner of the biscuit.
4. Take another small bite diagonally off the other end of the biscuit. (be careful that neither of these bites is too large, as tempting as it might be)
5. The final piece is one seamless move. Have your drink close. You are going to use your altered Tim Tam as a straw. Put your mouth on one bitten end and place the other into your drink. Suck the liquid up through the cookie, then once the liquid comes through, pop the entire cookie into your mouth for an incredible chocolate flavor bomb. 
6. Use a napkin to dab up any chocolate fingerprints. 
7. Repeat. 

For the most fun, add friends!