Australian home and lifestyle retailer, Bunnings, is launching a unique collaboration with the animated TV series, 'Bluey', transforming six of its stores across Australia and one in New Zealand into 'Hammerbarn' - a fictional store from the show.

This transformation is inspired by the 'Hammerbarn' episode from Season 2 of 'Bluey', which itself drew inspiration from Bunnings Keperra in Queensland. In the episode, the Heeler family visit their local hardware store to get a pizza oven and end up with a trolley full of other items, which Bluey and Bingo use to make their own mini homes, complete with garden gnome 'husbands'.

The transformed real-life stores will offer free Bluey-themed kids D.I.Y. workshops every weekend in February, each with a new theme. Exclusive 'Bluey' products, including garden gnomes featured in the 'Hammerbarn' episode, pet toys and accessories, craft kits, and limited-edition 'Hammerbarn' branded merchandise, will be available in-store.

"We're excited to be working with BBC Studios and Ludo Studio to bring Hammerbarn to life in stores across the country. 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," Bunnings Chief Customer Officer, Ryan Baker, said. "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.

BBC Studios Director of Brands and Licensing A/NZ, Kate O'Connor, also shared her enthusiasm about the collaboration. "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," she said.

"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 merch like Bluey and Bingo's much-loved garden gnomes that feature in the episode!"

The 'Hammerbarn' episode is a favourite of Ludo Studio, the producer of 'Bluey', due to its relatable Australian and New Zealand experience. ABC co-commissioned the program alongside BBC Studios Kids & Family.

"'Hammerbarn' is one of our favourite episodes as it's such a relatable Australian and New Zealand experience that families do together. The design of Hammerbarn draws inspiration from the Bunnings Keperra store in Brisbane, the home of Bluey, which adds an extra layer of significance. We are thrilled to offer fans the opportunity to experience Hammerbarn for real life, it's everything we've ever wanted," the studio said.

In addition to the 'Hammerbarn' transformations, Bunnings will host children's charity Make-A-Wish behind the barbeque at over 30 stores on opening weekend, raising funds for children with critical illnesses. The participating Bunnings stores that will be transformed into 'Hammerbarn' include locations in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand. All Bunnings stores across the country will host free Bluey-themed kids D.I.Y. workshops every Saturday and Sunday in February. An exclusive range of licensed products will also be available at Bunnings stores nationally, with products dropping in stores throughout February.