The compound Sr3NiPtO6, belonging to a K4CdCl6-derived rhombohedral structure, has been reported not to exhibit magnetic ordering at least down to 1.8 K, despite a relatively large value of paramagnetic Curie temperature. This is attributable to geometrical frustration. Here we report the results of our efforts to gradually replace Sr by Ba and to probe the influence of positive (external) and negative (chemical) pressures on the magnetic behavior of this compound. In the Ba substituted series, single-phase is formed up to x = 1.0 with Ba substituting for Sr. The magnetic properties of the parent compound in the entire temperature range of investigation are not influenced at all in any of the compositions studied as well as under external pressure (investigated up to 10 kbar). Thus, the magnetic anomalies of this compound are quite robust. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.