Down under, gaming culture is thriving. Despite the vast distances that separate their cities, Australia and New Zealand have built a passionate, well-organised convention scene spanning video games, board games, RPGs and wargaming. The region's isolation has bred a wonderfully self-reliant and creative community, and its marquee events rank among the most enthusiastic gatherings anywhere in the world. For gamers in the Southern Hemisphere — or travellers looking for an epic gaming holiday — there's plenty to celebrate.
Australia's Big Consumer Expo
The headline event on the Australian calendar is the massive PAX-style consumer gaming expo held in Melbourne, which fills a major convention centre with video-game premieres, esports, indie showcases and enormous tabletop free-play halls. It brought the blockbuster gaming-expo format to the Southern Hemisphere and quickly became the region's must-attend event, drawing tens of thousands of players from across Australia and New Zealand each year. It's the anchor around which much of the national scene revolves.
Tabletop and Wargaming Down Under
Australia's tabletop community is deep and well-established. Canberra is famous for one of the Southern Hemisphere's premier wargaming and board-game conventions, a long-running event beloved by miniatures enthusiasts and strategy gamers, while Sydney, Brisbane and Perth all sustain busy circuits of gaming weekenders, card-game tournaments and pop-culture conventions. Historical and fantasy wargaming in particular have a devoted following across the country.
New Zealand's Vibrant Scene
New Zealand may be smaller, but its gaming culture is mighty. Wellington and Auckland host cherished role-playing and board-game conventions — famously creative, community-run weekenders that showcase the country's love of storytelling and its home-grown design talent. Kiwi cons tend to be warm, intimate affairs where the emphasis is firmly on playing games and making friends, and they've earned a loyal following well beyond the country's shores.
Plan Your Australia & New Zealand Convention
Distances are the big planning factor here — cities are separated by long flights, so marquee events double as travel destinations worth building a trip around. Remember that the Southern Hemisphere's seasons are flipped, so peak convention timing may differ from what northern gamers expect. Dates and venues change each year, so confirm on each event's official website before booking. For schedules and reviews, BoardGameGeek is a reliable companion. Explore the rest of the world in our Asia, Africa and Latin America guide, return to the home page, or submit a con from your corner of the region.