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 12 Episode Guide
16 Episodes 2026
Episode 1
Shark Bay, WA: Part 1
28 mins
Lisa Millar takes "Australia's longest driveway" all the way to Shark Bay, in Western Australia's remote Gascoyne region. Here, turquoise waters meet red desert cliffs, home to dugongs and the world's largest seagrass meadow.
Episode 2
Shark Bay, WA: Part 2
28 mins
Lisa Millar continues her exploration of Shark Bay, a World Heritage listed wilderness on the westernmost point of Western Australia. It's a vivid contrast of turquoise waters and red desert cliffs.
Episode 3
Eldorado, Vic
27 mins
Guest Presenter Myf Warhurst travels to the Victorian goldfields town of Eldorado, where the locals like to do things differently - from living in teepees, to composting human manure.
Episode 4
Shearers, NSW
28 mins
Back Roads meets today's sheep shearers. Lisa Millar heads to the Riverina in NSW to join a new breed of shearers, and finds out what it takes to be a competitive sheep shearer.
Episode 5
Copper Coast, SA
27 mins
Take a spin around the maypole with guest presenter, Paul West, at the world's second largest Cornish festival, Kernewek Lowender, on South Australia's Copper Coast.
Episode 6
Gayndah, Qld
28 mins
Back Roads travels to Gayndah, Queensland's oldest town, where citrus is the lifeblood of the community.
Episode 7
Outback Kids' Choir, NSW
28 mins
Guest Presenter Jeremy Fernandez joins the Sydney Youth Orchestras on an unforgettable musical journey to outback Wilcannia, where they'll perform with local singers, musicians and form new friendships.
Episode 8
Mission Beach, Qld
27 mins
Lisa Millar explores Australia's very own Jurassic Park. Mission Beach is a tropical paradise in Queensland where two World Heritage natural wonders meet, and home to the modern-day dinosaur, the Southern Cassowary.
Episode 9
Binns Track: Part 1
28 mins
In the first of a two-part special, Back Roads guest presenter, Rae Johnston tackles the iconic Binns Track through the red heart of Central Australia.
Episode 10
Binns Track: Part 2
28 mins
Back Roads continues along Central Australia's remote Binns Track connecting people and cultures. Rae Johnston arrives just in time for one of the most action-packed events in the Northern Territory, the Harts Range Races.
Episode 11
Coonamble, NSW
28 mins
Presenter Lisa Millar has a front row seat to a once in a lifetime performance by the people of Coonamble in NSW. But who will be brave enough to share their life-changing stories on stage?
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 12
Barcaldine, Qld
28 mins
Guest presenter, Paul West, heads to Barcaldine where ghost stories, legendary strikes and outback art collide. Discover the iconic 'Tree of Knowledge' in a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and true Aussie spirit.
Episode 13
Cocos Islands, WA
28 mins
Back Roads heads to the remote tropical paradise of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, where Lisa discovers a unique local culture, meets a barefoot bloke who could have been 'King', and helps celebrate a spectacular wedding.
Episode 14
Spa Country, VIC
27 mins
Guest presenter, Joe O'Brien travels to Victoria's Spa Country to find out what's bubbling away below the surface, and if this is a place of healing for tourists and locals alike.
Episode 15
Gulf Country, NT
27 mins
Guest presenter, Tom Forrest takes us on a deep dive into the real outback. 'Outback Tom' takes us on a pilgrimage to a mecca for fishing and adventure lovers in the Northern Territory's Gulf Country.
Episode 16
Wycheproof, VIC
28 mins
Back Roads is heading to the smallest mountain in Australia for one of the craziest events in the country. Lisa Millar checks out a unique race in Wycheproof and discovers a community reviving an old idea.