Heard a handpan at a market, a yoga class or a busking spot and can't stop thinking about it? You're not alone. Handpans have become a familiar sound in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and plenty of smaller towns, and the next question is always the same: where can you actually try one, and where should you buy it?
This guide covers where to hear and try a handpan in Australia, your options for buying one, and what to check before you hand over your money.
Where to try a handpan in Australia
Handpans are handmade and tuned to a specific scale, so you won't usually find a row of them in a music shop. Most are built to order. Your best chances to hear and try one in person are:
- Busking spots and markets. Sydney's harbourside and beaches, Melbourne's laneways and Bourke Street, and Brisbane's South Bank all get handpan buskers, especially on weekends.
- Yoga studios and sound baths. Many studios use handpans in classes and sessions. It's a relaxed way to hear different scales.
- Drum circles and community music events. Local groups often welcome handpan players, and most owners are happy to chat and let you have a go.
- Festivals and wellness markets. Smaller festivals around the country often have a handpan performer or stall.
If you can't find one near you, you can still get a good feel online. Try our virtual handpan, listen to scale demos on YouTube, or book a free 15-minute call and we'll talk you through the options.
Your options for buying a handpan
Local music shops
Most Australian music shops don't stock handpans. Those that do usually carry one or two entry-level models, so there's not much to compare.
Importing from an overseas maker
There are excellent makers overseas, but importing a fragile steel instrument adds real cost and risk: international freight, customs, import duties and GST, and returns or warranty claims across borders that are rarely simple.
Second-hand
You'll sometimes see used handpans on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. Handpans can go out of tune with knocks or heavy playing, and second-hand usually means no tuning guarantee and no returns. Unless you can judge an instrument by ear, it's a gamble.
An Australian online specialist
For most people the simplest path is a specialist that sells handpans online with Australian support before and after you buy. That's what NovaPans Australia does: every handpan is hand-tuned, built to order and delivered free across Australia.
What to look for in a quality handpan
Sound first
Listen in a quiet room if you can, or to a clear recording of the exact model and scale. Each note should be in tune with the others, sound full and clean, and ring evenly without cutting off early. A good note has its main tone plus clear harmonics above it.
Material
- Nitrided steel: warm, defined tone with a shorter sustain. Great for rhythm, outdoor playing and playing with others.
- Stainless steel: long sustain and very good rust resistance. Popular for slow, ambient playing, yoga and sound baths.
More detail in our guide to nitrided vs stainless steel handpans.
Scale and number of notes
If you're starting out, D Kurd is the safe choice: it's the scale most online tutorials use. Nine to 12 notes is a good range for a first handpan, and extra notes on the top are easier to learn than notes underneath. See choosing a handpan scale and how many notes you need.
Handmade vs mass-produced
Very cheap handpans are usually mass-produced, with uneven tuning and weak harmonics. A hand-tuned instrument costs more, but it sounds better and holds its tuning longer.
How much does a handpan cost in Australia?
A quality handpan in Australia usually costs somewhere between about $1,800 and $4,300 AUD, depending on the model, steel, number of notes and how custom it is. Starter models sit at the lower end; 13 to 15 note and custom builds sit at the top. Our handpan price guide breaks this down, and current prices are always on each product page.
Questions to ask any seller
- Can I hear the exact model and scale? Ask for a recording or video. Be careful if a seller can't provide one.
- What's the return policy? A seller who believes in their instruments will let you return one. Avoid "no returns".
- How long will it take? Built-to-order handpans take weeks, so get a clear timeframe if you have a date in mind.
- What happens if it arrives damaged? Ask who takes responsibility for shipping damage.
- What support do I get afterwards? Care advice, help with questions and retuning options all matter over the life of the instrument.
Pay with a method that has buyer protection, such as a credit card or PayPal, and check reviews from other players.
Buying from NovaPans Australia
- Built to order: each handpan is made and tuned for your order and usually arrives in 3 to 5 weeks. If it's a gift, plan ahead.
- Free delivery across Australia.
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee: return a regular order within 30 days of receipt for a full refund, as long as it's in brand-new condition with the original box and foam packaging. We send a prepaid return label within Australia and New Zealand. Custom builds and discounted orders have different conditions, explained in our refund policy.
- Shipping damage covered: if your handpan arrives damaged, send us a short video and photos of the packaging within 7 days of delivery and we'll sort it out. See what to do if your handpan arrives damaged.
- 432Hz or 440Hz: most models come in both. Not sure which? Read 440Hz vs 432Hz.
Which NovaPans handpan suits you?
- Gen 4 Starter: 9 or 12 notes in D Kurd (12 notes also in F Pygmy). The best place to start for beginners and hobbyists.
- Gen 3 Performance: 10 notes in D Kurd with a loud, clear voice for busking and playing with others.
- Gen 7: stainless steel with a long, warm sustain, in 9, 10 or 13 notes and a wider choice of scales. Popular with yoga teachers and sound-bath practitioners.
- Gen 7 Mini Travel: a smaller 9-note handpan with a higher range, easy to take with you.
- Create Your Own: choose your key, scale, number of notes, tuning and finish.
If you'll be taking your handpan to the beach, the park or classes, add a hard case when you order. It protects the steel from knocks and humidity.
Still deciding? Book a free 15-minute call or send us a message, and we'll help you find the right handpan.