1848: Australia

About this board game

1848: Australia is a semi-historical 18xx railroad game for 3–6 players, with play lasting about 240 minutes. Players buy and sell shares, direct railroading companies, build track, run trains, and compete to finish with the greatest personal worth.

The game unfolds through two recurring series of actions: stock rounds and operating rounds. During stock rounds, players trade shares in the available railroading companies, with ownership tracked on the stock market mat. During operating rounds, the players who direct those companies can shape their development and financial fortunes.

Company directors may build track, place station markers on the map, and purchase trains. Trains generate capital by running along routes on the map, after which that capital may be paid to shareholders as dividends or retained by the company to support future expansion.

• Buy and sell shares during stock rounds.
• Build track and place station markers during operating rounds.
• Purchase trains and earn capital from routes across the map.
• Choose between paying dividends and retaining company funds.

1848: Australia gives the classic 18xx structure its own character through several notable differences. Private companies are purchased in a distinctive way, while The Bank of England appears as a public company that extends loans and administers railroads in receivership.

Players must also contend with different track gauges between states and the presence of The Ghan special train. The game ends at a predetermined point, and the winner is the player whose total worth—cash on hand plus share certificate value—is highest.