Join Kristy O’Brien as she explores the vibrant rural traditions preserved by the dedicated community of Lucindale in South Australia.
From the adrenaline-pumping ute “circle work” at the Bachelor and Spinster Ball, to a massive agricultural trade show.
And discover how an army of volunteers keep the spirit of Lucindale alive. Kristy caps off her visit with the Mad Max-themed B&S’s Gala event, uncovering Lucindale’s unique blend of fun, tradition and mayhem!
Series 12 starts Thursday, March 5, according to an interview with Lisa Millar in Sunday Life magazine today.
Back Roads has sent her to the Cocos Islands, the Snowy Mountains and deep into the Northern Territory and remote Western Australia. She jokes that she’s eaten a chicken parmigiana in every pub in Australia and that the most grooming required for both shows is essentially wearing a hat.
“[Back Roads] really ticks that box for me about regional Australia because I do still feel like I’m the kid from the country,” says Millar. “When people say, ‘Oh, where are you from?’ I always say, ‘country Queensland’. I don’t just say ‘Queensland’. And I’m very proud of that.”
A stunning location, Shark Bay is home to everything from dugongs to stromatolites, as well as the world’s largest seagrass meadow.
However, Lisa soon discovers that climate change hit this precious environment hard in 2011, wiping out vast seagrass beds twice the size of Singapore.
Locals, Traditional Owner and scientists are tirelessly restoring them, seedling by seedling. It’s early days, but Shark Bay’s community is fighting for its future.
Eldorado grew from the Victorian gold rush, but these days a new generation of prospector is moving there, drawn by its quiet rural charm and its reputation for alternative living.
Like the founder of the Off-Grid Living Festival, Kate Nottingham, who spent several years living in a teepee on the outskirts of town. As well as artist, Andy Pye, who moved from the city to the area in 2021. A move that’s given him space to experiment artistically from his bush studio.
And the man who explains how “the business of other people’s business” can help communities in need.
Guest presenter Myf Warhurst visits Eldorado, a former gold‑rush town now known for off‑grid living and creative newcomers.
She meets residents embracing teepees, alternative lifestyles, and eco‑innovation—from festival compost toilet designer Hamish Skermer to artist Andy Pye and Off‑Grid Living Festival founder Kate Nottingham—discovering a community proudly doing things differently.
Kernewek Lowender, the world’s second‑largest Cornish festival, brings maypole dancing, pasty‑making and proud heritage to South Australia’s Copper Coast.
Guest presenter Paul West explores the deep Cornish roots many Australians share, tracing them back to the miners who arrived after copper was discovered in 1861.
Their legacy lives on through descendants like Paul and Liz Rowan, custodians of rare glass slides that reveal the harsh realities of life underground and the enduring spirit of the Cornish
community.
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.
Guest Presenter Jeremy Fernandez joins the Sydney Youth Orchestras on an inspiring outback adventure, where the city musicians team up with the talented Wilcannia Children’s Choir.
Together they share culture, swap stories, and rehearse with Barkindji singer-songwriter Leroy Johnson and his powerful anthem ‘Rise Up’.
For the kids from the bush, it’s a rare chance to perform with a full orchestra; for the SYO musicians, it’s an unforgettable insight into life in a remote community.
Their collaboration builds to a moving gala performance in front of friends and family in Broken Hill.
Join Lisa Millar as she explores Australia’s very own Jurassic Park.
Mission Beach is a tropical paradise in Queensland where two World Heritage natural wonders meet, and is home to the modern-day dinosaur, the Southern Cassowary.
Lisa learns that it’s also the birthplace of Australia’s first major environmental flashpoint; an incredible yet little-known story about how our Great Barrier Reef was almost turned into oilfields.
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.
The adventure begins in the remote outback, at Mt Dare Hotel in South Australia. Here, Rae learns about life in the desert; from helping stranded travellers to picking up essential 4WD driving skills.
Rae’s journey culminates in a deeper appreciation for the desert’s beauty, the strength of its people, and the enduring spirit of the outback.
Guest presenter Rae Johnston continues her thrilling Back Roads adventure along Central Australia’s remote Binns Track. Rae experiences the beauty and traditional stories of the East MacDonnell Ranges, discovers the gold rush history of Arltunga and meets locals who have revitalised the local bush pub, making it a lively meeting spot for remote communities living along the track.
Journeying further north along the track, Rae uncovers more gems with ten-year-old fossicker Elvis, before finishing with a bang at one of the most exciting and action-packed outback events in the Northern Territory, the Harts Range Races.
