Best Board Games Australia

Updated 6 comparedBy Bikram Nath

We may earn a commission from links on this page; it never affects our rankings.

Quick answer

Our top pick for the best board games in Australia is the Catan Board Game. Its Amazon.com.au listing had no buy button on 13 October 2026, so it may be unavailable.

Editor's choice

Catan Studio

Catan Board Game

Australia's most iconic strategy board game — 3-4 players, resource trading and settlement building.

Check price on Amazon AU

Link checked on against this model’s Amazon.com.au listing. It had no buy button that day, so it may be unavailable. The other details here were not taken from that listing, so check them there.

On this page

The Australian board game community is one of the most engaged in the Asia-Pacific region, with regular conventions and thriving local game café culture. Cooperative games (Pandemic, Forbidden Desert) are particularly popular with Australian families.

At a glance

  1. 1
    Catan Board GameCatan Studio

    3-4 player sweet spot

    Check price on Amazon AU
  2. 2
    Ticket to Ride Board GameDays of Wonder

    Family-friendly from age 8

    Search Amazon AU ↗
  3. 3
    Codenames Board GameCzech Games Edition

    Scales to large groups up to 10+

    Search Amazon AU ↗
  4. 4
    Wingspan Board GameStonemaier Games

    Stunning bird illustrations and components

    Search Amazon AU ↗
  5. 5
    Exploding Kittens Card GameExploding Kittens

    Affordable Australian gift

    Search Amazon AU ↗
  6. 6
    Pandemic Board GameZ-Man Games

    Cooperative — no player elimination

    Search Amazon AU ↗

Our 6 picks for the best board games in Australia

#1Top pick

Catan Studio

Catan Board Game

Top Pick

Australia's most iconic strategy board game — 3-4 players, resource trading and settlement building.

Check price on Amazon AU

Link checked on against this model’s Amazon.com.au listing. It had no buy button that day, so it may be unavailable. The other details here were not taken from that listing, so check them there.

Players3-4
Time60-90 mins
Age10+
PublisherCatan Studio

Pros

  • 3-4 player sweet spot
  • Expandable with Australian-available expansions
  • Gateway game to modern board gaming

Cons

  • Not great as 2-player without expansion
  • Setup time of 15-20 minutes
#2

Days of Wonder

Ticket to Ride Board Game

Best Family Game
Best for families

Australia's best family board game — easy rules, train routes across North America.

Search Amazon AU for this model

We have not confirmed a current Amazon.com.au listing for this model. Check the details on the seller’s page.

Players2-5
Time45-75 mins
Age8+
PublisherDays of Wonder

Pros

  • Family-friendly from age 8
  • 45-75 minute game time
  • Easy to learn, hard to master

Cons

  • North America map (Australia map requires Australia & NZ expansion)
  • 4-player can slow down late game
#3

Czech Games Edition

Codenames Board Game

Best Party Game
Best for large groups

Best party board game in Australia — 2 teams guess code words with one-word clues.

Search Amazon AU for this model

We have not confirmed a current Amazon.com.au listing for this model. Check the details on the seller’s page.

Players2-10+
Time15-30 mins
Age14+
PublisherCzech Games Edition

Pros

  • Scales to large groups up to 10+
  • 15-30 minute game time
  • Easy rules — playable immediately

Cons

  • Requires at least 4 players to work well
  • Relies on word/language ability
#4

Stonemaier Games

Wingspan Board Game

Best Strategy Game
Best for strategy gamers

Australia's top modern strategy board game — bird-themed engine builder with beautiful components.

Search Amazon AU for this model

We have not confirmed a current Amazon.com.au listing for this model. Check the details on the seller’s page.

Players1-5
Time40-70 mins
Age10+
PublisherStonemaier Games

Pros

  • Stunning bird illustrations and components
  • Engine-building strategy with depth
  • Cooperative and competitive modes
  • Strong Australian board game community following

Cons

  • Complex for new board gamers
#5

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens Card Game

Best Value

A card-based party game — strategic chaos for 2-5 players.

Search Amazon AU for this model

We have not confirmed a current Amazon.com.au listing for this model. Check the details on the seller’s page.

Players2-5
Time15 mins
Age7+
PublisherExploding Kittens

Pros

  • Affordable Australian gift
  • 2-5 players, 15 minutes
  • Hilarious illustrations
  • NSFW edition available for adult game nights

Cons

  • High luck component
  • Can end very quickly
#6

Z-Man Games

Pandemic Board Game

Best Co-op Game

Australia's top cooperative board game — 2-4 players work together to stop global disease outbreaks.

Search Amazon AU for this model

We have not confirmed a current Amazon.com.au listing for this model. Check the details on the seller’s page.

Players2-4
Time45-60 mins
Age8+
PublisherZ-Man Games

Pros

  • Cooperative — no player elimination
  • Multiple difficulty levels
  • Re-themed after 2020 — deeper resonance for Australian players

Cons

  • Experienced players can dominate decisions (quarterbacking)
  • Can feel repetitive after many plays

How to choose the best board games in Australia

  1. 1Player count is the most important variable — Catan and Ticket to Ride work best with 3-4 players; Codenames works with large groups of 6-10.
  2. 2Game length: Codenames and Exploding Kittens are 15-30 minute games; Catan and Pandemic are 60-90 minutes; Twilight Imperium is 6-8+ hours.
  3. 3For Australian family game nights: Ticket to Ride is the most consistently enjoyed gateway game — easy to learn, engaging for adults and children aged 8+.
  4. 4Under Australian Consumer Law, you're entitled to a refund or replacement for any board game with missing or defective components.

Editor's note

Australia's board game community is served by a strong network of local game stores (Gameology with 30+ locations, Good Games, Mindsports). These stores offer demo copies and game nights that are a strong alternative to buying blind online. The Australian BGG community recommends starting with Catan or Ticket to Ride before graduating to heavier games like Wingspan or Terraforming Mars.

Our take

Family with children 8+: Codenames (large group, easy rules). Strategy gamers: Catan or Wingspan. Party game night: Exploding Kittens or Wavelength. Two-player: Patchwork or 7 Wonders Duel.

Honourable mentions

7 Wonders Duel

Best 2-player board game in Australia — civilisation building designed specifically for 2 players.

Dixit

Best creative board game for Australian family gatherings — beautiful illustrated cards, suitable for all ages.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy board games in Australia?

For specialist advice and demo nights, visit Gameology, Good Games or Mindsports — all have Australian locations.

What board games are good for large groups in Australia?

Codenames (up to 10 players, 15 minutes), Wavelength (large groups, party format) and Exploding Kittens (2-10 players) are the top large-group board games available in Australia.

What is the best strategy board game in Australia?

Catan and Wingspan are our two strategy picks in Australia. Catan is the classic gateway strategy game; Wingspan is our Best Strategy Game pick among modern designs.

Further reading

Standards & sources

  • ACCC Product Safety Australia (opens in new tab) — Product Safety Australia, run by the ACCC, publishes the mandatory safety standards, bans and recalls that apply to consumer goods sold in Australia — worth a recall search before buying in any category.

Not paid for

No brand pays to appear in a guide or to rank higher in one. Commission rates never decide a ranking.

Desk research, not testing

We do not test products. Check the details on the seller’s listing before you buy.

Aussie availability

Stock on Amazon.com.au moves fast — check availability before you buy.

Affiliate disclosure: AUPicks may earn a commission from links on this page at no extra cost to you. This never influences our rankings. Curated by Bikram Nath · Last updated .

You might also like

Toys & Games

Best Dolls Australia

Toys & Games

Best Educational Toys Australia

Toys & Games

Best LEGO Sets Australia

Toys & Games

Best Outdoor Toys Australia

Popular buying guides

Photography & Video

Best Gimbals and Stabilisers in Australia 2026

School & Office

Best Stationery Sets in Australia 2026

Televisions

Best TVs Under $1000 in Australia 2026

Washing Machines

Best Energy Efficient Washing Machines in Australia 2026

Fridges

Best French Door Fridges in Australia 2026

Cooling

Best Air Conditioner Under $1000 Australia

Water Filters & Purifiers

Best Water Filters in Australia 2026

BBQ & Outdoor

Best Gas BBQ Australia

Top pick

Catan Board Game

Check price on Amazon AU →