NKOTB had planned to play the continent’s major arenas during the first couple of weeks in August. A posting on the group’s Web site gave the ol’ “circumstances beyond their control” reason for canceling the tour, but New Kid Donnie Wahlberg supplied a little more information in a blog posting.

“In response to so many of the Aussie fans’ amazing efforts and the collecting of signatures of thousands – our promoters, as well as our management team, worked incredibly hard to make an Australian tour a reality,” wrote Wahlberg

“Despite warnings that the financial problems plaguing the world would compromise the Australian tour – they never gave up on this dream and neither did we. However – I’m sorry to say that now – it is true. We are not going to Australia.”

Walhberg’s post goes on to say the group will find a way to play Australia once “the world’s economies eases up a bit.”

Click here for the New Kids On The Block Web site.