About this season
Take a road less travelled to the small towns and communities that make Australia special. Join Heather Ewart and guest presenters as they discover remarkable stories and inspiring people you'll never forget.
Episodes (16)
1. The Great Australian Road Trip
Aired 3 January 2022 • 28 min
As the ABC celebrates its 90th year, Heather Ewart takes a look at the evolution of the great Australian road trip, and revisits some of the very best she's taken on Back Roads.
2. Tom Price, WA
Aired 10 January 2022 • 28 min
There are unexpected encounters when colourful South Pacific and traditional cultures kick up the red dust of the Pilbara as Back Roads heads to the town of Tom Price in Western Australia.
3. Cradle Mountain, TAS
Aired 17 January 2022 • 28 min
Guest presenter Joe O'Brien taps into his inner Bear Grylls in this Back Roads adventure to Cradle Mountain in the wilds of the Tasmanian Highlands.
4. Boulia, QLD
Aired 24 January 2022 • 28 min
Heather Ewart finds there are many surprises in the tiny town of Boulia on the edge of the Simpson Desert about 1700km from Brisbane.
5. Eyre Peninsula, SA
Aired 31 January 2022 • 28 min
In South Australia, guest presenter Paul West goes on a wild ride along the Eyre Peninsula's rugged west coast, finding a place with an untamed spirit and a fierce self-reliance.
6. Port Campbell, VIC
Aired 7 February 2022 • 28 min
Heather Ewart sets course for Port Campbell on Victoria's Shipwreck Coast, known for its wild weather and dangerous seas.
7. Charleville, QLD
Aired 14 February 2022 • 28 min
Guest presenter Kristy O'Brien heads to the outback town of Charleville in south-west Queensland, where she discovers a place that offers second chances and a community that always finds the silver linings.
8. Longford, TAS
Aired 21 February 2022 • 28 min
Back Roads host Heather Ewart takes an adventurous trip through Longford in Tasmania to find out if keeping an old world alive can still offer some surprises.
9. Leeton, NSW
Aired 11 July 2022 • 29 min
Back Roads kicks off its Winter series in the vibrant multicultural town of Leeton, in NSW's Riverina region.
10. Katherine, NT
Aired 18 July 2022 • 28 min
A unique insight into the NT town of Katherine, where blakfella and whitefella walk together. With Bardi-Kidja guest presenter Albert Wiggan.
11. Hebel, QLD
Aired 25 July 2022 • 28 min
Heather Ewart travels to the border town of Hebel in south-west Queensland, a little place with a big heart, where folk look for a silver lining in the toughest of times.
12. Tumut, NSW
Aired 1 August 2022 • 28 min
The Snowy Valleys come alive to the sound of music and traditions, old and new, bring a community together and heal the wounds of the past.
13. French Island, VIC
Aired 8 August 2022 • 28 min
Guest Presenter Lisa Millar goes on an adventure to Victoria's French Island. World renowned as a haven for many bird, animal and plant species - it is a Noah's ark of diversity.
14. Leonora, WA
Aired 15 August 2022 • 29 min
Heather Ewart travels to Leonora in the goldfields of WA. 800km north-east of Perth, its home to Australia's richest road mile running race and where heptathlete-turned-bobsleigh Winter Olympian Kiara Reddingius was raised.
15. Pinnaroo, SA
Aired 22 August 2022 • 29 min
Guest Presenter Kerry Staight travels to Pinnaroo in South Australia, a town that is putting the health and happiness of its people above everything else.
16. King Island, TAS
Aired 29 August 2022 • 29 min
Heather Ewart heads to King Island, in Bass Strait half-way between Tasmania and Victoria. A place famous for cheese, seafood and the treacherous Roaring 40's winds, she finds out why many who've left are coming back.