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Back Roads (TV series)

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Back Roads
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryTelevision broadcasting
FoundedNovember 30, 2015; 10 years ago (2015-11-30)
Headquarters
Australia
Area served
Australia
Key people
Heather Ewart (host, 2015–2025), Lisa Millar (host, 2019–present)
ProductsTelevision program

Back Roads is a factual television series from Australia that highlights life in regional communities. It has been broadcast on the ABC since 30 November 2015.

Between 2015 and 2025, political journalist Heather Ewart served as the primary host until her departure following Series 11. Lisa Millar, who had appeared as a guest presenter starting in 2019, took over hosting duties thereafter. The program also incorporates a variety of guest hosts throughout its run. The opening theme, titled "Back to my home," is sung by Australian artist and songwriter Rebecca Barnard.

Series 1

  • Series 1 Ep 1 "Ceduna" (Original air date: 30 Nov 2015)

Situated on the Great Australian Bight, Ceduna is a frontier settlement distinguished by its distinctive and independent character.

  • Series 1 Ep 2 "Winton" (Original air date: 07 Dec 2015)

Located in western Queensland, Winton hosts events such as horse racing and dinosaur fossil excavations, and has historical ties to former Governor-General of Australia, Dame Quentin Bryce.

  • Series 1 Ep 3 "Yackandandah" (Original air date: 14 Dec 2015)

This Victorian high country town, Yackandandah, is a revitalized gold rush settlement that has flourished through adaptation.

  • Series 1 Ep 4 "Karumba" (Original air date: 21 Dec 2015)

Karumba, a secluded fishing village in Far North Queensland, is cherished by its inhabitants for its remoteness.

  • Series 1 Ep 5 "Birchip" (Original air date: 28 Dec 2015)

Birchip thrives in Victoria’s Mallee region, an area known for wheat production, by resisting conventional trends.

  • Series 1 Ep 6 "Derby" (Original air date: 04 Jan 2016)

Located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Derby is recognized for its rich cultural diversity.

  • Series 1 Ep 7 "Queenstown" (Original air date: 11 Jan 2016)

On Tasmania’s West Coast, Queenstown shares community narratives and features Young Tasmanian of the Year, Adam Mostogl.

The Clarence River region lies within New South Wales’ Northern Rivers area.

Series 2

Mundulla is a small community in South Australia that values tradition while fostering spirited competition.

A hairdresser and her elderly apprentice undertake a ten-day journey from Innisfail to Normanton in the Gulf country of Queensland.

Mallacoota, positioned at Victoria’s remote eastern extremity, is celebrated for its pristine environment and strong communal bonds formed through isolation.

Life on Thursday Island blends relaxed living with the challenges posed by isolation as residents strive to build a new future.

Katanning, known for sheep farming and wheat production, reveals its evolution and unexpected community resilience.

Hermannsburg (Ntaria), the birthplace of Albert Namatjira, fosters cultural heritage and artistic expression among its younger generation.

Famous for its underground homes and opal mining industry, White Cliffs surprises visitors with a lively community spirit.

Cygnet in southern Tasmania’s Huon Valley is experiencing significant transformation as urban dwellers relocate there.

Adopting the motto "reinvent or perish," Harrow attracts newcomers and innovative ideas through various creative projects.

Series 3

Corryong faced challenges despite its scenic landscapes and rich heritage, until a wave of young residents returned to breathe new life into the community.

Following the devastating bushfires of 2013, Dunalley transformed the calamity into an opportunity for communal restoration.

The iconic Oodnadatta Track adventure begins in Marree, where it crosses paths with the Birdsville Track.

  • Series 3 Ep 4 "Oodnadatta" (Part 2)

The journey along the Oodnadatta Track continues, featuring encounters with supply drivers, the proprietor of the Pink Roadhouse, and staff at a distant cattle station.

  • Series 3 Ep 5 "Robe"

Situated on the Limestone Coast, Robe is a fishing port that supports veterans through its initiative 'Robe to Recovery.'

Known as Australia's ballooning capital, Canowindra aims to redefine its economic prospects.

Located on the edge of Kakadu National Park, Pine Creek is a mining town in the Northern Territory with a history marked by cycles of prosperity and decline.

As the mining boom slows in Western Australia, Pilbara residents are actively shaping the region’s future.

Series 4

The episodes in Series 4 feature:<ref name=ABC>

Series 5

Series 5 explores a wide range of Australian locales:[1]

Series 6

Broadcast in 2020, Series 6 comprised the following episodes:

  • Episodes 1 & 2: Nullarbor Plain — two parts spanning South Australia and Western Australia
  • Episode 3: "Rokewood to Corindhap" located in Victoria
  • Episode 4: "Biloela, Queensland," highlighting the town’s campaign supporting asylum seekers Priya and Nades
  • Episode 5: "Penguin" in Tasmania
  • Episode 6: "Girgarre" situated in Victoria
  • Episode 7: "Dampier Peninsula" in Western Australia
  • Episode 8: "Omeo" within Victoria

Series 7

The 2021 Series 7 featured these episodes:

  • Episode 1: "Cobar"
  • Episode 2: "Kyogle"
  • Episode 3: "Coober Pedy," including Poh Ling Yeow
  • Episode 4: Special titled "Conquering Isolation"
  • Episode 5: "Eugowra"
  • Episode 6: "Agnes Water & Seventeen Seventy, Queensland," with Paul West
  • Episode 7: Special called "Local Heroes"
  • Episode 8: Return visit to "Mallacoota"
  • Episode 9: "Cooktown," featuring Craig Quartermaine
  • Episode 10: "Tenterfield"
  • Episode 11: "Adelaide River"
  • Episode 12: "Central Highlands, Tasmania," with Lisa Millar
  • Episode 13: "The Mallee" region of Victoria
  • Episode 14: "Cloncurry," including Kristy O'Brien
  • Episode 15: Covering both "Rupanyup & Minyip"
  • Episode 16: "Strahan" in Tasmania

Series 8

The episodes from Series 8, aired in 2022, include:

  • Episode 1: "The Great Australian Road Trip"
  • Episode 2: "Tom Price"
  • Episode 3: "Cradle Mountain," featuring Joe O'Brien
  • Episode 4: "Boulia"
  • Episode 5: "Eyre Peninsula," with Paul West
  • Episode 6: "Port Campbell"
  • Episode 7: "Charleville," featuring Kristy O'Brien
  • Episode 8: "Longford"
  • Episode 9: "Leeton"
  • Episode 10: "Katherine," with Albert Wiggan
  • Episode 11: "Hebel"
  • Episode 12: "Tumut"
  • Episode 13: "French Island," including Lisa Millar
  • Episode 14: "Leonora"
  • Episode 15: "Pinnaroo," with Kerry Staight
  • Episode 16: "King Island"

Series 9

Series 9, released in 2023, presented the following episodes:

  • Episode 1: "The Great Australian Pub"
  • Episode 2: "Brunette Downs"
  • Episode 3: Featuring Paul West in "Marrawah"
  • Episode 4: "Quilpie"
  • Episode 5: Featuring Rae Johnston at the Ord River
  • Episode 6: Covering both Pyramid Hill and Nhill
  • Episode 7: Featuring Kurt Fearnley in Tennant Creek
  • Episode 8: A musical journey through Western Queensland with Josh Arnold
  • Episodes 9 &10: The two-part feature on the Strzelecki Track
  • Episode 11: Featuring Lisa Millar on the Great South West Walk
  • Episode 12: Highlighting Walhalla
  • Episode 13: Featuring Tom Forrest in Cunnamulla
  • Episode 14: Covering Darkan
  • Episode 15: "'Boot Scootin Tour" across Tasmania
  • Episode16:"Rabaul" (Papua New Guinea), with Tania Bale

Series10

The Series10 episodes for2024 are as follows:

  • Episode1:"Brunswick Heads"
  • Episode2:"Naracoorte," featuring Amanda Shalala
  • Episode3:"Uralla"
  • Episode4:"Home Hill"
  • Episode5:"Timber Creek," with Kristy O'Brien
  • Episode6:"Wheatbelt Animal Carers" in Western Australia
  • Episode7:"Gemfields," featuring Lisa Millar
  • Episode8:"Eugowra Recovery"
  • Episodes9 &10:"East Arnhem Land," two parts with Rae Johnston
  • Episode11:"Gunbower & Torrumbarry"
  • Episode12:"Tasman Peninsula," featuring Joe O'Brien
  • Episode13:"Braidwood"
  • Episode14:"Julia Creek"
  • Episode15:"Tarkine," with Marta Dusseldorp
  • Episodes16 through26 highlight Kurri Kurri, Bass Coast, Heysen Trail, Ninety Mile Beach, South Burnett Rail Trail featuring Lisa Millar, Ongerup, Charlton, Nimmitabel, Beechworth with Annie Louey, Port MacDonnell with Tom Forrest, and Evandale

Series 11

The episodes featured in Series 11 (2025) are as follows:

  • Series 11 Ep 1: "Andamooka & Roxby Downs" (South Australia)
  • Series 11 Ep 2: "Camperdown" (Victoria) hosted by Kerry Staight
  • Series 11 Ep 3: "Theodore" (Queensland) with Anna Daniels
  • Series 11 Ep 4: "Kandos"
  • Series 11 Ep 5: "Outback Way (Part 1)" (Northern Territory) featuring Lisa Millar
  • Series 11 Ep 6: "Outback Way (Part 2)"
  • Series 11 Ep 7: "Kangaroo Island" presented by Paul West
  • Series 11 Ep 8: "Great Keppel" (Queensland)
  • Series 11 Ep 9: "Hilltops Region" (New South Wales) with Lisa Millar
  • Series 11 Ep 10: "Wheelbarrow Way" (Mareeba, Queensland) hosted by Joe O'Brien
  • Series 11 Ep 11: "Bibbulmun Track" (Western Australia) with Rae Johnston
  • Series 11 Ep 12: "Tassie Woodchoppers" featuring Lisa Millar
  • Series 11 Ep 13: "Lucindale" (South Australia) with Kristy O’Brien
  • Series 11 Ep 14: "Tambo" (Queensland) hosted by Tom Forrest
  • Series 11 Ep 15: "Gippsland Lakes" with Lisa Millar
  • Series 11 Ep 16: "Van Life (Part 1)" (Queensland) featuring Myf Warhurst
  • Series 11 Ep 17: "Van Life (Part 2)" (New South Wales & Western Australia) with Myf Warhurst
  • Series 11 Ep 18: "Harvey" (Western Australia) hosted by Lisa Millar
  • Series 11 Ep 19: "Forrest" (Victoria) with Paul West
  • Series 11 Ep 20: "Mataranka" (Northern Territory) presented by Kristy O’Brien
  • Series 11 Ep 21: "Snowy River" featuring Lisa Millar
  • Series 11 Ep 22: "North East Tasmania"
  • Series 11 Ep 23: "Outback Dressmakers" (New South Wales)
  • Series 11 Ep 24: "10 Years of Back Roads: Heather’s Farewell" (Victoria)


External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ABC
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