When Bandit took the family to Hammerbarn to buy a pizza oven, this collaboration was essentially inevitable.
Bunnings has transformed six stores around Australia – and one in New Zealand – into Hammerbarn stores from Season 2 of the hit children’s show Bluey.
Fans of the hit TV show – including social media personality Christian Hull – have rushed to the Hammerbarn stores to get a glimpse of the “for real life” transformation.
“I don’t think you’re ready for this. Guess where I am? Hammerbarn,” Mr Hull said, before putting on a Bluey mask.
He said everyone was looking at him and while he was mortified he “didn’t care because he loved Bluey so much”.
It’s no secret the cartoon store had a strong resemblance to Bunnings, with the show taking inspiration from Bunnings Kerperra in Queensland.
Ryan Baker, Bunnings chief customer officer, said the transformation gives the entire family something to experience.
“We’re excited to be working with BBC Studios and Ludo Studio to bring Hammerbarn to life in stores across the country,” Mr Baker said.
“Our team across Australia have had kids and parents referring to Bunnings as Hammerbarn ever since the episode aired, so making this a reality in our stores for customers is really special.
“We wanted the Hammerbarn experience to be accessible to as many Bluey fans and customers as we could, so it’s great to have a Hammerbarn transformation in each state – even down to the kids trolleys that have been rebranded.
“For those who can’t make it to a rebranded Hammerbarn store, there will still be plenty of Bluey-themed fun at Bunnings stores nationally, including colouring walls, scavenger hunts and free kids D.I.Y. workshops every weekend.”
The Hammerbarn experience is available at Munno Para, SA, Cannington, WA, Glenorchy, Tasmania, Blacktown, NSW, Carrum Downs, Victoria, Glenfield, NZ until February 25.
Every weekend there will be free Bluey-themed DIY workshops, which will need to be booked online, and fans can get their hands on exclusive Bluey products including garden gnomes that are featured in the Hammerbarn episode.
Kate O’Connor, BBC Studios Director of Brands and Licensing ANZ, said: “Bluey is so relatable because it’s all about growing up as a kid in Australia, and going to Bunnings, a.k.a Hammerbarn, on the weekend is one of those quintessential Aussie experiences we all love. “That’s why we couldn’t be more excited to see this iconic Bluey and Bunnings collaboration come together on such a grand scale, giving Aussie and Kiwi fans the world-first chance to experience Hammerbarn for real life, including exclusive and very collectable merchandise like Bluey and Bingo’s much-loved garden gnomes that feature in the episode!”
Bunnings will also host children’s charity Make-A-Wish barbecues at more than 30 stores – including the Hammerbarn ones – to raise money to make sick kids’ dreams come true.