Ceramic crocodile heads, a bucket of fish and even someone’s ashes these are just some of the bizarre things which have been left in Avis rental cars in Australia.  

With Avis customers driving 222 million kilometres in Avis rental vehicles across Australia last year, Avis Australia reveals a list of the more unusual items that holidaymakers and drivers have left in their rental vehicles.

While everyday items such as wallets, mobile phones, iPads and glasses were often forgotten - it was more the peculiar belongings that left Avis staff perplexed.  

One customer left their father’s ashes behind. Obviously upset, the family reached out to the Avis team and the ashes were delivered back to them without delay.

Tom Mooney, Managing Director – Pacific, Avis Budget Group said: “It’s not every day we come across an urn of ashes in our rental cars – items such as wallets and mobile phones are more likely to be left behind.

“However, I’m extremely proud of how the team handled it with urgency and sensitivity, returning the ashes to the customer quickly.”

At a separate Avis location, some travellers must have been left hungry when a bucket of freshly caught fish was left in the backseat of an Avis rental car and never reclaimed. Whilst the staff were tempted to throw them onto the barbeque that evening, they were unsure how long the fish had been sitting in the car, so and threw them into the bin instead.

Another office experienced crocodile fever when ceramic crocodile heads were found on two separate occasions, only two months apart. Leaving Avis staff scratching their heads. The crocodile heads were never claimed and remained in lost property eyeing up the staff.

As part of Avis Australia’s lost property policy, if staff are unable to contact the customer the lost item is kept in the lost and found offices for one month. If it isn’t claimed, depending on what it is, it will either be taken to the police station or given to charity.

For customers who have forgotten an item in an Avis rental car, please contact the rental office drop off location and provide staff with your booking details, as well as a detailed description of the lost item.