The macadamia nut tree is native to the East coast of Australia, though it is also cultivated in Hawaii now. The trees can reach as high as 20m and have glossy leaves, but are most famous for producing the macadamia nut. In fact, they are the only Australian native species that is grown on such a large scale for food.

As well as being a popular snack, the macadamia nut and macadamia seed oil (which is obtained by cold-pressing the seeds and then putting them through a refining process to produce a mildly-coloured oil that has a faint odour) are commonplace ingredients in the cosmetics industry because of their conditioning benefits. They are often found in hair conditioners and moisturising lotions.

Try these Aussie beauty buys: Griffin+Row Enrich ($34.99), Be Genki Sensuality Body Cream ($34) and Endota Spa Bush Honey and Macadamia Skin Drink ($50).

Endota Spa (1300 363 682)