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Returning: Back Roads

The good news is Back Roads returns -the bad news is it comes at the expense of Australian Story.

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The good news is Back Roads with Heather Ewart returns with new episodes on ABC.

The bad news is it comes at the expense of Australian Story, which will go into a mid-year hiatus for reasons unexplained.

This is the first time the show has taken a mid-year break in years -if ever.

Now in its fourth series, Back Roads takes viewers to more of Australia’s most interesting and resilient communities. These towns are full of colourful characters whose grit and good humour will continue to uplift and inspire.

With so many wonderful towns to visit, and double the episodes, award-winning journalist Heather Ewart is joined in this series by guest presenters, ABC News Mornings anchor Joe O’Brien, foodie and farmer Paul West, and triple j’s Breakfast news presenter Brooke Boney.

“I’m delighted the success of Back Roads has led to its extension to include a winter series. Because of our high production values and the time we spend in each community getting to know it, I can’t be everywhere. I’m thrilled to welcome our guest presenters Joe, Paul and Brooke to our team while I’m filming in other places in our vast country”, said Heather.

In this series Heather takes viewers on a road trip along New South Wales’ spectacular Waterfall Way, the innovative former timber town of Scottsdale in North-East Tasmania, a voyage of discovery along the Murray River in South Australia, the “bogan” town of Nyngan in NSW and the fascinating multicultural agricultural town of Robinvale which also has a fascinating war history.

Country born and bred, Joe O’Brien swaps the ABC News studio for the back roads of outback Queensland to tell the story of Thallon, a tiny community which has come up with some big ideas to save their little town, led by one remarkable woman.

Paul West, who grew up in country NSW, heads to spectacular Natimuk in Victoria, where a diverse community of rock climbers and GermanLutheran farmers have learnt to get along.

Gamilaroi Gomeroi woman and triple j’s Brooke Boney discovers that in the Tiwi Islands, 80 km off the coast of Darwin in the Northern Territory, there’s so much more than footy. She immerses herself in this fascinating ancient culture which come up with creative ways of finding a balance between the old ways and the new.

8pm Monday June 11 on ABC.

4 Responses

  1. Do you think we will find out why Australian Story was suddenly dropped? It is a little suspicious that this week’s episode was part one of Blood on the Tracks, a two part cold case murder investigation.

  2. I like this series also….Australian Story…been going for a long time…small population…running out of stories….and not everyone who has a story…wants to share it on TV….just my thoughts.

  3. Glad this is back, but surprised it is airing outside of summer. Love Heathers personality and hope the guests live up to her high standards of warmth and community spirit.

    1. Yes, Heather is a real gem – so warm and down to earth.
      She has that rare ability to interact so beautifully with people from all walks of life and put them instantly at ease.
      Great to see Back Roads returning for a Winter run. But really hope this isn’t the beginning of the end for Australian Story which is a perennial ABC favourite.

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