Wattles are an Australian native plant. The seeds have a coffee-chocolate-hazelnut taste. You could probably leave them out of the recipe if you can't buy them. These biscuits (cookies) are similar to ANZAC biscuits that were made during the war when eggs were scarce and have become one of our "traditional" Aussie foods. Have you tried the lavender biscuits yet Dena?
Regards, Sally.