LEGO 2026 Australia Guide: Smart Play, Ninjago 15th & Price List

Welcome to the future of the brick. If you thought 2025 was a big year for LEGO, wait until you see what’s hitting Australian shelves to kick off 2026. The new year isn't just bringing fresh plastic; it’s bringing a fundamental shift in how we interact with our sets.

From the ground-breaking LEGO SMART Play technology unveiled at CES to the massive 15th Anniversary celebrations for Ninjago, there are over 150 new sets dropping between January 1st and March 1st. For Aussie fans, the burning questions are always the same: When can I get it? and How much will it hurt the wallet?

While the US market grapples with tariff-induced price hikes, Australian pricing remains surprisingly competitive relative to our average salary, though the "IP tax" on licensed sets is heavier than ever. Whether you are an AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) looking to display the new Shopping Street modular or a parent hunting for the latest City sets, this is your ultimate guide to the LEGO 2026 landscape in Australia.

The Revolution: LEGO SMART Play Hits Aussie Shelves in March

The biggest headline of 2026 is undoubtedly the introduction of LEGO SMART Play. Announced globally at CES in Las Vegas, this is described as the most significant evolution in "System-in-Play" since the minifigure launched in 1978.

How It Works: Screen-Free Immersion

Forget AR apps or staring at a tablet while you build. The new SMART Brick is a 2x4 element packed with an ASIC chip, accelerometers, light sensors, and a speaker. It interacts with SMART Tags (2x2 tiles) and SMART Minifigures to create a "third-order play effect." This means the physical movement of the toy dictates the sound and light feedback instantly. If you tilt your X-wing up, the engines roar; dive down, and the blasters fire.

The Launch Lineup (March 1, 2026)

Australian fans will have to wait until March 1st for these sets, but pre-orders are expected to open in January. Here is the confirmed AUD pricing:

Luke’s Red Five X-wing (75423): Priced at $149.99 AUD. This 584-piece set includes the SMART Brick and five tags that trigger engine noises, laser blasts, and R2-D2 interactions.
Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter (75421): Priced at $99.99 AUD. A 473-piece build where the SMART Brick brings the iconic "twin ion engine" roar to life based on flight speed and direction.
Throne Room Duel & A-wing (75427): Priced at $249.99 AUD. The premium set of the wave (962 pieces), featuring two SMART Bricks to simulate lightsaber duels and play "The Imperial March" when the Emperor sits on his throne.

Analysis: While the price-per-piece is higher than average (approx. 17 cents per piece for the X-Wing), the inclusion of the rechargeable SMART Brick and induction charging dock justifies the premium for tech enthusiasts.

Celebrating 15 Years of Ninjago (Legacy & Dragons Rising)

It is hard to believe it has been 15 years since the Masters of Spinjitzu first spun onto our screens. 2026 marks the 15th Anniversary of Ninjago, LEGO's most successful home-grown theme. To celebrate, we are getting a mix of massive display models and excellent value playsets.

The Heavy Hitters

The Old Town (71861): This is the behemoth of the January wave. At $499.99 AUD, this 4,851-piece modular set is a love letter to the franchise, featuring 23 minifigures and modular sections that connect to form a sprawling circular town.
Four Weapons Blacksmith (71858): If $500 is too steep, this set is the "High-Value Choice" of 2026. For $149.99 AUD, you get 1,259 pieces, recreating the pilot episode's iconic location.
Ninja Character Display (71866): Priced at $59.99 AUD, this 447-piece set features the full team in updated versions of their classic 2011-12 ZX suits.

Review Insight: Dragon Forms

The new Dragons Rising sets introduce "Dragon Forms" for the ninja. These minifigures feature spectacular new helmet molds, tattered wings in new colours, and pearl gold armour that sits flush against the torso. The standout creature build is The Dragon of Life (71859) at $149.99 AUD, featuring vinyl wings and a gear-driven tree mechanism.

Icons & Modular Buildings: Adult Collectors' Corner

For the AFOLs, January brings the newest entry to the Modular Building Collection and a return to the Upside Down.

The New Modular: Shopping Street (11371)

Releasing January 4 (with Insiders early access from Jan 1), the Shopping Street is priced at $399.99 AUD. It features 3,456 pieces and seven minifigures.

Pro Tip: If you buy this at launch, you should qualify for the Vintage Parade Car (40913) Gift With Purchase (GWP). The threshold is US$200, which typically translates to a spend of around $320 - $325 AUD on the Australian store.

Stranger Things Returns: The Creel House (11370)

A massive 18+ set depicting the haunted Creel House arrives for $449.99 AUD. Early buyers get an exclusive WSQK Radio Station (40891) GWP, which is likely to sell out within hours given the popularity of the franchise.

Botanicals: A New Leaf

The Botanical Collection continues to bloom with four new sets in January:

Tulip Bouquet (11501): $99.99 AUD.
Peace Lily (11504): $99.99 AUD.
Flowering Cactus (11509): $49.99 AUD.
Daisies (11508): A budget-friendly $24.99 AUD.

City & Star Wars: Classics Reimagined

LEGO City: The Coast Guard Returns

After a long hiatus since 2017, the Coast Guard subtheme is back to patrol LEGO City waters. The flagship is the Coast Guard Rescue Boat & Helicopter (60504) at $179.99 AUD, offering high playability with winches and modular vehicles.

Budget Choice: Keep an eye out for the new "City Rides" subtheme. These are small, impulse-buy sets like the Gaming Race Car (60484) and Construction Loader (60483), priced at roughly $12.99 AUD. They feature unique "baby" minifigure drivers and are perfect for pocket money.

Star Wars (Non-Smart)

If you aren't ready for Smart Bricks, the standard line-up is strong:

Venator-Class Attack Cruiser (75441): A midi-scale display model priced at $129.99 AUD.
Mandalorian & Grogu’s Speeder Bike (75436): An accessible entry point at $14.99 AUD, proving you don't need to spend hundreds to get key characters.

Sustainability Update: What is ePOM?

While new sets are exciting, what they are made of is changing. In 2026, LEGO is ramping up its transition to sustainable materials.

The Shift to ePOM

You may notice a slight difference in the feel of Technic axles and pins this year. LEGO is transitioning these elements to ePOM, a rigid plastic made from e-methanol (derived from renewable energy and CO2 from bio-waste). This ensures the "clutch power" remains identical to traditional plastic while cutting carbon footprints.

Consumer Impact

Are we paying for this? Yes and no. Sustainable resins cost up to 70% more than virgin fossil plastic. However, LEGO CEO Niels Christiansen has stated the company is currently absorbing this cost to avoid passing it directly to consumers, protecting the bottom line rather than hiking shelf prices purely for sustainability.

Australian Pricing Analysis: Are We Paying More?

There is often a perception that Australians pay a "Australia Tax" on LEGO, but the data for 2026 suggests a more nuanced picture.

Comparative Value

When adjusted for sales tax (which is included in our shelf price but excluded in the US) and median salary, purchasing LEGO in Australia is actually cheaper than in the UK and comparable to Germany. However, we do pay a premium on licensed sets.

The "IP Tax"

Data analysis of the 2026 wave confirms that licensed sets (Star Wars, Marvel, Disney) cost approximately 20% more on a price-per-gram basis than unlicensed themes like Ninjago or City.

Example: The licensed Venator costs roughly 12.4 cents per piece, whereas the unlicensed Four Weapons Blacksmith (Ninjago) comes in at a remarkably low 7.9 cents per piece.

Where to Buy:

LEGO Certified Stores/Online: Essential for exclusives like The Old Town and Shopping Street to earn Insiders points.
Retailers (Kmart/Big W/Amazon AU): Wait for 20% off sales for standard City and Star Wars playsets. Amazon AU is particularly aggressive with discounts on Botanicals and Marvel sets shortly after release.

FAQ Section

Q: When does the new LEGO Smart Brick launch in Australia? A: The LEGO Star Wars SMART Play sets (X-Wing, TIE Fighter, Throne Room) launch on March 1, 2026.

Q: Will Australian LEGO prices increase in 2026? A: While the US is seeing price hikes on specific sets due to tariffs, Australian pricing remains relatively stable. However, inflation generally pushes the median price of sets up as LEGO releases larger, more complex models.

Q: Is the Stranger Things Creel House available in Australia? A: Yes, it releases January 4, 2026 (Jan 1 for Insiders) and is priced at $449.99 AUD.

Q: What is the new LEGO material ePOM? A: It is a sustainable hard plastic used for rigid elements like axles and connectors. It is made using bio-waste and renewable energy technology, designed to be indistinguishable from traditional plastic.

Conclusion

2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for tech and nostalgia. Whether you are ready to embrace the screen-free interactivity of SMART Play or just want to build a massive Ninjago City expansion, there is something for everyone.

Which set is on your day-one list? Are you buying into the Smart Tech, or sticking to the classic bricks? Let us know in the comments below!