Returning: Back Roads

Next week, Back Roads returns in its new timeslot of 8.00 pm on Tuesday nights.

In episode one Heather Ewart heads off on a great Australian summer holiday, travelling to the beachside village of Brunswick Heads in northern New South Wales.

She discovers a charming laid-back coastal community nestled between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby, that’s managed to preserve the ‘simple pleasures’ of life in the little town despite the surrounding development pressures.

Heather soon finds some delightful surprises including a restored picture house that’s attracting world class acts. Heather meets Brett Haylock and Chris Chen, who gave up life on the international stage to recover ‘a little piece of 1950’s Australiana right here in the middle of paradise.’ Brett has twice won Laurence Olivier Awards for his work in London theatres, but he says the Brunswick Heads Picture House is his greatest achievement. And the hard work has paid off with ticket sales up to 1000 a week.

Brunswick Heads has become a safe harbour for Andy Graeme-Cook. The former marine biologist’s deep connection to the water led him to surf tourism and life in Brunswick Heads, but he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was in a wheelchair within three years. But he says ‘Bruns’ is the place to be for accessibility and he’s worked to make the town even more inclusive including helping create disability access to the towns stunning beaches.

Heather follows a magical trail of hidden fairy houses and finds ‘Fairy Grandmother’ Ollie Heathwood who created 27 tiny fairy homes. She also meets ‘Bruns’ locals who have been camping at the beach with family for been five generations, a tradition shared by thousands of families across Australia… and joins in a unique tradition that has the entire community jumping!

8pm Tuesday on ABC.