I finally found some time this weekend to check out the new range of Second Half 2016 sets in-store, which was pretty nice, yet a little disappointing as there wasn’t a lot I was particularly excited by.
A funny thing happened as I was browsing over the weekend, I had a quick chat with a fellow LEGO enthusiast. He was a guy in his 20s who was checking out some of the new Friends Theme Park sets, and the conversation quickly turned to one of the sets that was missing from the shelves 41133 Amusement Park Bumper Cars.
I casually remarked that it was a Target Australia exclusive and he scoffed a little, exclaiming (with some salty language thrown in) that it was pretty ridiculous that some sets were retailer exclusives.
Now, I don’t really have a problem with retailer exclusive sets – I get the necessity of them but what really irks me is that when a whole bunch of sets gets released, it’s pretty difficult to find out who has what. I feel that I have a pretty good finder on the LEGO pulse in Australia, yet it still takes me a while to figure out the retailer exclusive situation here.
It would be nice if LEGO Australia could communicate this better – but till then, I’ve decided to put together a quick guide to all the new 2016 Australian retail exclusives that I know of! If you find any other sets not listed here, or if you want me to investigate a specific set, please let me know in the comments section!
There are a few omissions here, namely 60134 Fun in the park – City People Pack which apparently is only going to be released across the country in September 2016 (Fun in The Park is now available nearly everywhere that sells LEGO). I also haven’t seen some of the large Star Wars sets such 75158 Rebel Combat Frigate, 75157 Captain Rex’s AT-TE and 75150 Vader’s TIE Advanced vs. A-Wing Starfighter. I think only the Rebel Combat Frigate is a retailer exclusive, but it’s quite odd that not all of the sets are available for sale currently. Oh and also 70590 Airjitzu Battle Grounds too!
There are definitely a few stragglers on the list. If you see them anywhere, please let me know in the comments as well!
UPDATE: Just received word from LEGO Australia that 75157 Captain Rex’s AT-TE and 75150 Vader’s TIE Advanced vs. A-Wing Starfighter will not be available at Australian retail. This means that if you want these two sets, you’ll have to buy them from LEGO.com.
76067 Tanker Truck Takedown
Exclusive to: Toys R Us Australia
RRP: AU$59.99
Online Store Link: http://www.toysrus.com.au/lego-marvel-super-heroes-tanker-truck-takedown-76067_10486288/
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Tanker-Truck-Takedown-76067
76060 Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum
Exclusive to: Toyworld
RRP: AU$59.99
Online Store Link: N/A online
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Doctor-Strange-s-Sanctum-Sanctorum-76060
76056 Batman: Rescue from Ra’s al Ghul
Exclusive to: Kmart Australia
RRP: AU$59.99 (Kmart price: AU$55)
Online Store Link: http://www.kmart.com.au/product/lego-super-hereos-batman:-rescue-from-ras-al-ghul—76056/911483
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Doctor-Strange-s-Sanctum-Sanctorum-76060
Read my review: https://jaysbrickblog.com/2016/07/27/review-lego-76056-rescue-from-ras-al-ghul/
70596 Ninjago Samurai X Cave Chaos
Exclusive to: Toys R Us Australia
RRP: AU$199.99
Online Store Link: http://www.toysrus.com.au/lego-ninjago-samurai-x-cave-chaos-70596_10486288/
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Samurai-X-Cave-Chaos-70596
70588 Ninjago Titanium Ninja Tumbler
Exclusive to: Target Australia
RRP: AU$49.99 (Target Price: AU$45)
Online Store Link: https://www.target.com.au/p/lego-reg-ninjago-titanium-ninja-tumbler-7-588/59239796
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Titanium-Ninja-Tumbler-70588
70326 Nexo Knights The Black Knight Mech
Exclusive to: Toys R Us Australia
RRP: AU$89.99
Online Store Link: http://www.toysrus.com.au/lego-nexo-knights-the-black-knight-mech-70326_10486288/
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/The-Black-Knight-Mech-70326
41134 Friends Heartlake Performance School
Exclusive to: Toys R Us Australia
RRP: AU$129.99
Online Store Link: http://www.toysrus.com.au/lego-friends-heartlake-performance-school-41134_10486288/
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Heartlake-Performance-School-41134
41133 Friends Amusement Park Bumper Cars
Exclusive to: Target Australia
RRP: AU$59.99
Online Store Link: https://www.target.com.au/p/lego-reg-friends-amusement-park-bumper-car-41133/59196235
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Amusement-Park-Bumper-Cars-41133
41132 Friends Heartlake Party Shop
Exclusive to: Kmart Australia
RRP: AU$49.99 (Kmart Price: AU$39)
Online Store Link: http://www.kmart.com.au/product/lego-friends-heartlake-party-shop—41132/927803
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Heartlake-Party-Shop-41132
60125 City Volcano Heavy-lift Helicopter
Exclusive to: Toys R Us Australia
RRP: AU$199.99
Online Store Link: http://www.toysrus.com.au/lego-city-volcano-explorers-volcano-heavy-lift-helicopter-60125_10486288/
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Volcano-Heavy-lift-Helicopter-60125
75158 Star Wars Rebel Combat Frigate
Exclusive to: Toys R Us Australia
RRP: AU$199.99
Online Store Link: http://www.toysrus.com.au/lego-star-wars-rebel-combat-frigate-75158_10486288/
LEGO.com Store Link: http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Volcano-Heavy-lift-Helicopter-60125
Thanks to William for the heads up on this!
That’s all I know of right now. Let me know in the comments if you’re aware of any other retailer exclusives!
Oh, also, where can you buy the Disney Castle in Australia?
Thanks,
Yanni
It’s currently not out in Australian stores yet, and at this stage it’s too early to say if or when it’ll arrive.
LEGO.com is your only option for now!
Thanks Jay!
Thanks Jay, looking forward to it! Duplo is fantastic for little kids, although I must admit the ‘girls’ Duplo is a bit lacking ATM. Hopefully they will release more Princess Duplo soon – it’s mostly retired now. My 3-year-old son loves the fire & construction sets. I have even bought sets from the US secondhand & had them shipped when I couldn’t find them here. Can’t wait to read your Duplo posts.
I mostly like the animal duplo! I hope they re-release Dinosaur duplo soon!
Yes! I tried to buy Dino Duplo secondhand – have you seen the prices??? ? So expensive!! Definitely time for a new release. ?
Yeah! I did look at them for a bit. I have a decent collection of regular LEGO dinosaurs so I wasn’t too tempted!
Hi
I’m not sure if you know about Duplo, but if you do, I’d love to know about exclusives.
Thanks
PS Love you blog
I’ll try and include them in this year’s! Duplo isn’t a particular interest of mine (yet), but I think when my daughter starts to get a little older, expect to see more on Duplo!
Hi Jay! Do you know if there are or have ever been any sets exclusive to Australia?
Not that I can recall!
I saw Fun in the park at Target(in Melbourne CBD) for $49 & Kmart(Northcote) for $54 this past weekend.
Awesome! Good to hear that they’re starting to show up
Any word on 75141 kanans speeder bike?
Sorry, not sure about that one! I’ll do some digging around and see if I can find anything
Thanks Jay 🙂
That’s a big shame about the Tanker Truck and Doctor Strange sets, as they were the few Superhero sets I am actually interested in getting! Oh well.
Hey Shea, Tanker Truck is currently on sale for $48 at TRU! That’s about 20% off and I picked mine up last weekend!
Hi All,
15% of Target on Ebay. Just picked up a USC Tie for $238.
Whoa, great score!
I recently noticed on back of Woolworths receipt a 20% off shopper docket for toys r us. Only able to use for one full price item, I’m in WA so not sure for other states. And only valid until early September.
There’s a new catalogue with some discounts!
Has ANYONE seen the new A-wing vs Tie advanced set? Or the Rebel Combat Frigate? The only two sets I want and nowhere to be seen!
Thanks for the list Jay!
Rebel Combat Frigate has been spotted on the Toys R Us Website! The A-Wing set is still missing – I’m guessing it’s going to be a Kmart or Target exclusive. But don’t quote me on that!
I’ve been wondering about these two rebel sets aswell. I’ve managed to get the Tanker Truck Takedown set from TRU though.
Hey John, just heard from LEGO Australia. Unfortunately, 75150 Vader’s TIE Advanced vs. A-Wing Starfighter will not be sold at Australian retail and will only be available via LEGO.com.
I assume no word on why? Its absolutely unacceptable, quite frankly, but it would be nice to have some sort of reason, even if it isn’t adequate.
No real reason other direction from LEGO HQ, market conditions, logistics etc.
After seeing the new 4016pcs UCS Death Star I’d be guessing that’s going to be a big w or myer exclusive for a cool $699.00rrp not that I’m interested in buying one its identical to 10188, looks like they’ll be on shelves around October.
I’m still incredulous about the Death Star. Oh well, just waiting on the official pics to hit my inbox before I get to write about it!
Great post Jay!
Thanks, I’m happy to help!
Thanks for this info.
You’re welcome!
I’m pretty sure that Toyworld/Mr Toys are exclusive retailers for the new Ghostbusters Ecto-1 & 2 set as well.
Ah I saw it listed on Toys R Us’ website – so I don’t think it’s an exclusive.
Some of the online specialty stores like Outer Rim Trading Co and Shopforme have the Ecto-1 & 2 listed, and they don’t typically get retail exclusives.
I saw it at Myer
Yup, that’s why I’m pretty sure it’s a general release.
I saw one at Casey toys and toys r us
I mean missing sets
This won’t be of much help but I saw most of the sets here in singapore when I was shoppin over the weekend.
Yeah…Asia is pretty much on par with the US/UK/EU when it comes to new set releases. They also get exclusives on Day 1 when they get released – no waiting for themes like Ideas or Modulars like we’re forced to endure here in Australia!
They USED to do this (declare which retailers had which exclusives). It was included as a piece of paper in the Club magazine.
I never subscribed to the Club Magazine – that’s super interesting. How long ago was this practice?
Thanks for the info about the Fun in the Park set! Had been searching for it among the other new releases in every store for the past week, and no one had any idea why it wasn’t released with the other sets. I don’t understand why there’s no communication from Lego Australia about this kind of stuff, it can’t be that hard!
No worries, happy to help! The no communication part irks me as I’m more than happy to share ANY news on Australian LEGO to help the local community – but hey, radio silence.
I can’t believe the Doctor Strange set is exclusive to a store that has zero locations in Sydney. Bizarre.
There are no Toyworlds in Sydney??
There were a few Toyworlds in Sydney in the 1990’s but they couldn’t compete with the Big Department stores so they all relocated to Rural & Country NSW. They have many stores in these areas but it doesn’t help Sydneysiders like myself. Another retailer exclusive slap in the face from LEGO Australia. I can’t be bothered with these retailer exclusives anymore. I’m just going to have to buy all of these at Full RRP at LEGO.com. You won LEGO Australia!!!
Ah… I didn’t know that. If it helps, Toyworlds are fairly uncommon here in Metro Melbourne as well, but they seem to be in most large malls.
If you’re buying online… hopefully you’ll get a cool bonus or double VIP points at the very least. Oh, have you thought of calling a nearby Toyworld and seeing if they’d be willing to ship it to you?
There is a Toyworld in Beaumaris, Victoria that always has an extensive range of Lego, they are always super helpful as well.
Yeah, Toyworlds tend to be pretty good! I only wish they did discounts on a more regular basis!
I can’t afford Paying full RRP plus shipping costs.
I don’t mind waiting, I just want value & Toyworlds don’t provide many discounts on LEGO.
I’ll wait for Double VIP Points & the free mini London Bus (40220). Can you can confirm Jay, whether this will be available at LEGO.com for the Euro/Aus market as a freebie in Sept or October?
Rumour has it that it will be available to Aussies on LEGO.com in October to coincide with the Grand Opening of the new LEGO Store in Leicester Square, London???
An order containing several retailer exclusives, Double VIP Points, a free mini London Bus (40220) & free Shipping.
Can’t complain with that!!
Yeah true. Unfortunately, I don’t have any information about the London Mini Bus. I’ve heard those rumours as well but with LEGO, they tend to keep their cards quite close to their chest.
I just find it extremely odd that the US and Canada got the London Bus before Great Britain!
I’ve never seen so many retailer exclusives. Does this mean we are not likely to see the usual 20-30 % discount on these sets? Are they just big retailer exclusive or will independents like I’m Rick James still be able to stock them? I know in the past some retailers have claimed exclusivity when all the other big retailers stocked a particular set (eg. Myer and Heartlake Grand Hotel). It’s disappointing either way, particularly when some of those sets are part of a theme such as the Friends amusement park. It’s going to require a lot more leg work during sale periods : (
Yeah, it’s getting a little crazy this year. It depends on the retailer. Toys r Us have occasional 20% off sales, but independents like Toyworld may vary depending on your local store. Mine almost never does discounts, but some like the Docklands one has an all year round discount if you’re a Harbourtown member.
Independents like I’m Rick James Bricks sometimes get their own, but not with these bunch of sets. I did see a Ferris Wheel when I popped in this weekend.
Yup, all in all, it’s just a pain tracking these down. Kinda peeved about the Doctor Strange set being in Toyworld.
Thanks Jay! Is Fun in the Park a retailer exclusive?
I don’t think so. Word on the street is that the set is only coming in September, to all retailers. That said, it didn’t show up in the retailer catalogue… Which seems to suggest that it’s a retailer exclusive.
In conclusion: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am still on the lookout for this? I have not seen it anywhere in person…a few online retailers have it but not in Big W, Kmart or Target yesterday……maybe the east coast has it??
I’ve heard that they’ve started to show up at Myer and Kmart. Call your local and see if they have any in stock?
Pretty sure I saw the last one (volcano set) at both BigW and Toy World
That’s probably the one with the Research Lab/Truck. The Toys R Us one is one with the Helicopter, but they both have the Volcano!
Could be it. I tried looking for other sets in the same theme and didn’t find any.