Back Roads
Back Roads transports audiences to some of the nation's most remote and inspiring communities, highlighting rural Australia's trademark grit, generosity and humour. Each week, award-winning ABC journalist Heather Ewart (who grew up on a sheep and wheat farm in Victoria), speaks to the down-to-earth and uniquely uplifting characters who live in these far-flung communities, showcasing how their imagination, faith and love for the land they call home has helped them to thrive. A witty and warm companion, Heather is skilled at allowing the rural stars - the people she meets and places she visits - to shine. Defined by their strength and humility, the characters of Back Roads are as awe-inspiring as the wild landscape that surrounds them. Featuring stunning images of the red earth of Winton, the Indigenous community of Hermannsburg, the underground dwellings of White Cliffs, the winding waters of Clarence River and a whole lot more, the series takes viewers on a journey to some of the most scenic locations across the outback. With high production values and exceptional cinematography, Back Roads is a warm and engaging travelogue of rural Australia.
- 2015-2026
- 12 seasons
- Documentary, Action & Adventure
Back Roads transports audiences to some of the nation's most remote and inspiring communities, highlighting rural Australia's trademark grit, generosity and humour. Each week, award-winning ABC journalist Heather Ewart (who grew up on a sheep and wheat farm in Victoria), speaks to the down-to-earth and uniquely uplifting characters who live in these far-flung communities, showcasing how their imagination, faith and love for the land they call home has helped them to thrive. A witty and warm companion, Heather is skilled at allowing the rural stars - the people she meets and places she visits - to shine. Defined by their strength and humility, the characters of Back Roads are as awe-inspiring as the wild landscape that surrounds them. Featuring stunning images of the red earth of Winton, the Indigenous community of Hermannsburg, the underground dwellings of White Cliffs, the winding waters of Clarence River and a whole lot more, the series takes viewers on a journey to some of the most scenic locations across the outback. With high production values and exceptional cinematography, Back Roads is a warm and engaging travelogue of rural Australia.
Season 11 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 2025
Episode 1
Andamooka and Roxby Downs, SA
28 mins
Heather Ewart heads to the South Australian outback to check out two mining towns that are chalk and cheese: Roxby Downs and its unruly cousin, Andamooka.
Episode 2
Camperdown, VIC
27 mins
Camperdown in Southwest Victoria is a town nestled between dormant volcanoes and majestic crater lakes. Kerry Staight discovers a community that embraces its Scottish heritage while also supporting locals going their own way.
Episode 3
Theodore, QLD
28 mins
Back Roads guest presenter Anna Daniels heads to the central Queensland town of Theodore for its 100th birthday. She finds a town honouring its past, but also safeguarding its future, proving anything is possible in the bush.
Episode 4
Kandos, NSW
27 mins
Back Roads journeys to Kandos, on the edge of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. This is a town famous for making cement, where Heather Ewart finds an unlikely arts festival is reshaping the community.
Episode 5
Outback Way, NT: Part 1
28 mins
In the first of a two-part special, Back Roads takes a trip on The Outback Way, also known as Australia's longest shortcut, where Lisa Millar finds remote communities reaching out to the world in surprising ways.
Episode 6
Outback Way, NT: Part 2
28 mins
Back Roads continues its epic trip on The Outback Way. Lisa Millar soaks up spectacular natural wonders and meets people making a big difference educating kids, before hitching a ride with a couple of "Warrior Princesses".
Episode 7
Kangaroo Island, SA
27 mins
Back Roads goes in search of all creatures great and small on Kangaroo Island. Guest Presenter Paul West checks in to see how the island is faring after the devastating Black Summer fires of 2020.
Episode 8
Great Keppel, QLD
28 mins
Back Roads heads to Queensland's Great Keppel Island. Once a paradise for partygoers, Heather Ewart meets the locals looking for a better way to share their pristine backyard with the rest of the world.
Episode 9
Hilltops Region, NSW
28 mins
Back Roads presenter Lisa Millar heads to the Hilltops Region of New South Wales for the "shear" excitement and chaos of The Running of the Sheep - a unique event that could only happen in rural Australia.
Episode 10
Wheelbarrow Way, QLD
27 mins
Back Roads follows the Wheelbarrow Way from Mareeba to Chillagoe in Far North Queensland, where home town boy and ABC News presenter, Joe O'Brien, meets teams competing in the Great Wheelbarrow Race.
Episode 11
Bibbulmun Track, WA
28 mins
Back Roads explores Western Australia's beloved Bibbulmun Track - a 1000 kilometre walk through mighty forests and a rugged coastline. Guest Presenter Rae Johnston meets people transformed by the experience.
Episode 12
Outback Dressmakers, NSW
27 mins
Back Roads is off to a wedding, as Heather Ewart discovers the world of made-to-measure couture dressmaking in outback New South Wales. (Return)
Episode 13
North East Tasmania
28 mins
Heather Ewart is almost blown away by the "Roaring Forties" winds when she visits the North East of Tasmania - an area rich in history, culture and crayfish.
Episode 14
10 Years of Back Roads: Heather's Farewell
28 mins
After ten fun-filled years of hitting the Back Roads, Heather Ewart is saying goodbye. In her final episode, Heather relives some of the unforgettable moments from her time on the road and returns to her hometown of Murchison in Victoria.
Episode 15
Snowy River, NSW
29 mins
Gold Logie nominee and the new host of Back Roads, Lisa Millar straps herself in for an adventure exploring the legendary Snowy River. Most of us know the name, but how much do we really know about this iconic river?
Episode 16
Mataranka, NT
28 mins
Guest presenter Kristy O'Brien dives into the legend of the Never Never exploring the town of Mataranka in the Northern Territory. Mataranka is where 'We of the Never Never' was set, the famous novel written by Jeannie Gunn.
Episode 17
Forrest, VIC
28 mins
Guest presenter Paul West ditches his car for a bicycle when he arrives in Forrest nestled in Victoria's Otway Ranges. It's here Paul discovers a former logging town that's now more famous for mountain biking than sawmills.
Episode 18
Harvey, WA
28 mins
Lisa Millar visits Harvey in Western Australia's south-west and discovers how successive waves of migrants have put their stamp on this town, and in doing so have built a thriving multicultural community.
Episode 19
Van Life: Part 1
27 mins
These days, thousands of Australians are swapping four walls for four wheels and taking to life on the road. Myf Warhurst hits the bitumen in Far North Queensland to meet some of the people who've chosen van life.
Episode 20
Van Life: Part 2
27 mins
Myf Warhurst continues her van life odyssey in northern New South Wales and Western Australia. Setting out to discover when van life became a 'thing', she wonders if there comes a time when this nomadic life loses its appeal?
Episode 21
Gippsland Lakes, VIC
28 mins
Lisa Millar is on an odyssey to discover Australia's largest inland waterway, the magnificent Gippsland Lakes in Victoria. It is home to over 300 native wildlife species, including the rare and endangered Burrunan dolphin.
Episode 22
Tambo, QLD
28 mins
Back Roads heads to Tambo, an outback town famous for teddies and chicken racing. Guest presenter, Tom Forrest finds a community that's not afraid to take risks to keep this historic town thriving.
Episode 23
Lucindale, SA
28 mins
Kristy O'Brien ventures to the tiny South Australian town of Lucindale, discovering a small community playing a big role in keeping the most colourful bush traditions alive.
Episode 24
Tassie Woodchoppers, TAS
27 mins
Lisa Millar ventures to one of Tasmania's oldest and most celebrated woodchopping carnivals, Henley-on-Mersey. It's here she learns of how generations of axemen and women are keeping this iconic Aussie sport alive. (Final)
