Seasons & Episodes
Ceduna
Award winning journalist Heather Ewart takes a trip to the Nullarbor frontier town of Ceduna on the Great Australian Big
Winton
Heather Ewart visits the Western Queensland town of Winton, in Waltzing Matilda country. Heather spends a day at the rac
Yackandandah
This week Heather Ewart travels to the remote town of Yackandandah. In the foothills of Victoria's high country, this pi
Karumba
This week Heather Ewart travels to the remote fishing town of Karumba in Far North Queensland and discovers why the loca
Birchip
This week Heather Ewart explores the heart of wheat country, Birchip in the Victorian Mallee to enjoy a slice of country
Derby
Heather Ewart swaps reporting from political corridors of power to a new beat around the bush. In this episode she meets
Queenstown
In this episode Heather Ewart meets Young Tasmanian of the year, Adam Mostogl and explores the stories from the Tasmania
Clarence River
Heather Ewart swaps reporting from political corridors of power to a new beat around the bush. In this episode she meets
Mundulla, SA
Heather Ewart visits Mundulla, this tiny South Australian community cherishes its old world values, but doesn't mind a b
Innisfail to Normanton, QLD
Heather Ewart joins a big-hearted hairdresser and her 76-year-old apprentice on a ten day road-trip from their home town
Mallacoota, VIC
Heather Ewart visits Mallacoota, a remote place at the end of the road on the far eastern tip of Victoria. Known for its
Thursday Island, QLD
Thursday Island is a laid-back paradise that most Australians have never visited and know little about. While its isolat
Katanning, WA
The "ordinary" sheep and wheat town of Katanning in Western Australia has laid out the welcome mat and transformed itsel
Hermannsburg, NT
Heather Ewart visits Hermannsburg (known as Ntaria in Western Arrarnta language), the stunning birthplace of Albert Nama
White Cliffs, NSW
Heather Ewart visits White Cliffs, a tiny underground outback town in NSW, which is full of colourful surprises.
Cygnett, TAS
This week Heather Ewart discovers the seaside hamlet of Cygnet in southern Tasmania's Huon Valley is undergoing some big
Harrow, VIC
This week Heather visits Harrow, a creative community that took to heart the mantra "reinvent or perish" and found uniqu
Corryong
Heather heads to Corryong, Victoria. A bucket-load of beauty and a fascinating history haven't been enough to cement the
Dunalley
Dunalley is a small town in Tasmania that was almost wiped out by bushfires in 2013. But instead of destroying them, the
Oodnadatta (Part 1)
Back Roads heads along the legendary Oodnadatta Track in outback South Australia. Heather Ewart begins her journey in th
Oodnadatta (Part 2)
Heather continues along the Oodnadatta Track, SA. She hitches a lift with 'Wally' the truck-driver who delivers essentia
Robe
Robe, SA, is a seaside safe-haven known for helping others and having a generosity of spirit. Local farming families off
Canowindra
Canowindra might be known as the hot-air ballooning capital of Australia, but there's plenty more going for this town. T
Pine Creek
Heather travels to Pine Creek, a pioneering outback town in the Northern Territory. On the fringes of Kakadu National Pa
Pilbara
Heather Ewart heads to the Pilbara region of Western Australia to meet some of the remarkable locals who are driving cha
The Best of Back Roads
In this episode Heather Ewart returns to communities whose good humour and inventiveness will inspire and uplift in the
Violet Town
Violet Town, Victoria, is a small place with a very big heart. It might be well-known by some for its popular monthly ma
Waterfall Way, NSW
Heather Ewart travels to Waterfall Way in NSW, one of the most beautiful drives in Australia. But it's not just the scen
Murray River, SA
Heather Ewart travels along the southern Murray River. She meets locals who've weathered drought & flood. She experience
Natimuk, VIC
Guest presenter Paul West visits the small, yet spectacular, town of Natimuk in Victoria. Paul discovers that two world
Scottdsdale, TAS
Heather visits Scottsdale in Tasmania's north-east. After losing three major industries, the area's unemployment figures
Thallon, QLD
ABC News presenter Joe O'Brien visits the tiny Queensland town of Thallon. Joe grew up in regional Queensland, and he gl
Robinvale, VIC
Heather Ewart visits Robinvale, in Victoria, which was named after a local soldier, Lieutenant George 'Robin' Cuttle, wh
Tiwi Islands, NT
Guest presenter and triple j newsreader Brooke Boney is taking over the Back Roads reins this week, travelling to the Ti
Nyngan, NSW
In the midseason final, Heather Ewart travels to the surprising little town of Nyngan. The gateway to the outback in NSW
The Greengrocer, QLD
Heather Ewart is on a road trip in Queensland with a much-loved travelling greengrocer. For 30 years, Fari Rameshfar has
Lightning Ridge, NSW
Heather Ewart heads to the NSW outback town of Lightning Ridge, a place of dreamers and drifters, with most residents lu
Furneaux Islands, TAS
Guest presenter Paul West visits the Furneaux Islands, a wild and windswept group of islands in Bass Strait, just off Ta
Beaufort, VIC
Heather Ewart travels to the historic Victorian town of Beaufort, which is halfway between the two 'rats' - Ararat and B
Marble Bar, WA
Back Roads travels to Marble Bar, known as the hottest place in Australia. Singer-songwriter and ABC Radio's Saturday Ni
The Coorong, SA
Heather Ewart visits The Coorong, an area spanning 130kms of South Australian coastline. It's a stunning mosaic of wild
Finke, NT
ABC's Joe O'Brien visits the remote Northern Territory community of Finke, traditionally known as Aputula and famous for
Windorah, QLD
Heather Ewart visits the small town of Windorah in Queensland's Channel country between Longreach and Birdsville. Many p
Glen Helen Ride
Back Roads returns with an epic journey in the Northern Territory, from one of the world's most remote cattle stations t
Tolmie, VIC
Heather visits Tolmie, tucked away in Victoria's High Country. In the past it was known as a hideaway for bushrangers, n
Woolgoolga, NSW
Heather Ewart explores a vibrant coastal community in northern New South Wales, where East meets West and which the loca
Burketown, QLD
Guest presenter, chef and farmer Paul West heads to the Gulf of Carpentaria to see one of the world's most extraordinary
Kulin, WA
280kms from Perth, Kulin is home to less than 400 people. From the 'Tin Horse Highway' - horse-shaped sculptures made ou
Fish Creek, VIC
Fish Creek is a whimsical town straight from a storybook, home to children's book authors and illustrators, world-renown
Flinders Ranges, SA
Incoming News Breakfast co-host Lisa Millar traces the footsteps of her Prussian ancestors who migrated to SA in the mid
Riverina, NSW
Heather visits one of the flattest places on earth, the dusty Hay Plains. Home to a fascinating bunch with a dry sense o
Snow Journey, VIC + NSW
Heather Ewart discovers a very different type of community on the roof of Australia as she visits the peaks of Victoria
Bulloo Shire, QLD
Heather Ewart catches a ride to the Bulloo Shire in south-west Queensland, a community that thrives despite its isolatio
Wynyard, TAS
Guest presenter Joe O'Brien leaves the ABC newsroom for the wilds of Wynyard in north west Tasmania.
Clunes, VIC
Heather Ewart visits the preserved gold rush town of Clunes, in the Victorian Central Goldfields. Its golden days might
Koroit, VIC
Heather Ewart discovers a patch of Ireland tucked away in coastal Victoria. Koroit is reportedly home to the largest Iri
Menindee, NSW
Last summer, Menindee in NSW made worldwide news when a perfect storm of drought and poor water management caused a mass
Show Town, QLD
Heather joins a cavalcade of showmen and their little town on wheels on an 800 km run through far north Queensland. It's
Jabiru, NT
Join award-winning journalist and Murawari-Gomeroi man Allan Clarke as he uncovers the small community of Jabiru. Buried
Nullarbor, SA (Part 1) The Endless Horizon
Back Roads returns this winter to take you to some of the widest open spaces on Earth. Join Heather Ewart on a journey a
Nullarbor, SA (Part 2) Turning Back Time
Heather Ewart resumes her Nullarbor Plain odyssey, this time from the South Australian border travelling west across Wes
Rokewood-Corindhap, VIC
Guest presenter Lisa Millar presents a COVID-19 special program about how the Rokewood-Corindhap community has come toge
Biloela, QLD
The Central Queensland town of Biloela hit the headlines in its bid to stop a Sri Lankan Tamil family being deported. Th
Penguin, TAS
Heather meets a community embracing rejuvenation and taking life head on. Once the overlooked Cinderella of Tasmania's p
Girgarre, VIC
Heather visits a Victorian town transformed by the power of music. The dairy industry and the community was hit hard by
Dampier Peninsula, WA
Discover the cultural and culinary delights of WA's Dampier Peninsula, an the 'undiscovered' part of the coastline. Pres
Omeo, VIC
Victoria's High Country is famous for cattlemen & horsemen. Heather tracks down the extraordinary women of Omeo and its
Cobar, NSW
Heather Ewart visits Cobar, NSW, where she meets the stoic locals who want to keep the community together, trying to dis
Kyogle, NSW
Heather Ewart visits Kyogle in northern NSW. The traditional farming town is growing and changing as it welcomes newcome
Coober Pedy, SA
Guest presenter Poh Ling Yeow explores a remote outpost connected by their love of opal but also each other. Coober Pedy
Conquering Isolation Special
On a wild ride through remote country we discover people need resilience, a sense of humour and creativity to make isola
Eugowra, NSW
Heather Ewart visits a town at the centre of the richest gold escort heist in Australian history and discovers where Eug
Agnes Water and 1770, QLD
Join guest presenter Paul West as he discovers the heart and soul of the twin towns Agnes Water and 1770 in Queensland,
Local Heroes Special
Heather Ewart reconnects with some of our favourite characters - remarkable local heroes who live on the back roads. Fro
Back To Mallacoota
Heather Ewart returns to Mallacoota after the New Year's Eve 2019 firestorm engulfed the town. Heather catches up with s
Cooktown, QLD
Cooktown is a place heaving with history. Guest presenter Craig Quartermaine discovers what locals make of Captain Cook
Tenterfield, NSW
Heather travels through time in historic Tenterfield, a town drawing on its past to try and preserve its future. Tenterf
Adelaide River, NT
Heather Ewart takes a walk on the wild side of the Top End. In Adelaide River, she joins the Fawcett sisters on a buffal
Central Highlands, TAS
Guest presenter Lisa Millar heads to the 'land of a thousand lakes' in the wild beating heart of Tassie. The Central Hig
The Mallee, VIC
Heather Ewart discovers the Mallee spirit, where locals know how to roll up their sleeves and get things done. The Malle
Cloncurry, QLD
Guest presenter Kristy O'Brien heads to north-west Queensland and big cattle country. A community that pulls together in
Rupanyup and Minyip, VIC
Heather Ewart heads into silo country on a journey through Victoria's Wimmera. Meet the hard-working and humble people o
Strahan, TAS
Heather Ewart travels to Strahan in Tasmania, a tiny coastal community in one of the oldest and most spectacular wildern
The Great Australian Road Trip
As the ABC celebrates its 90th year, Heather Ewart takes a look at the evolution of the great Australian road trip, and
Tom Price, WA
There are unexpected encounters when colourful South Pacific and traditional cultures kick up the red dust of the Pilbar
Cradle Mountain, TAS
Guest presenter Joe O'Brien taps into his inner Bear Grylls in this Back Roads adventure to Cradle Mountain in the wilds
Boulia, QLD
Heather Ewart finds there are many surprises in the tiny town of Boulia on the edge of the Simpson Desert about 1700km f
Eyre Peninsula, SA
In South Australia, guest presenter Paul West goes on a wild ride along the Eyre Peninsula's rugged west coast, finding
Port Campbell, VIC
Heather Ewart sets course for Port Campbell on Victoria's Shipwreck Coast, known for its wild weather and dangerous seas
Charleville, QLD
Guest presenter Kristy O'Brien heads to the outback town of Charleville in south-west Queensland, where she discovers a
Longford, TAS
Back Roads host Heather Ewart takes an adventurous trip through Longford in Tasmania to find out if keeping an old world
Leeton, NSW
Back Roads kicks off its Winter series in the vibrant multicultural town of Leeton, in NSW's Riverina region.
Katherine, NT
A unique insight into the NT town of Katherine, where blakfella and whitefella walk together. With Bardi-Kidja guest pre
Hebel, QLD
Heather Ewart travels to the border town of Hebel in south-west Queensland, a little place with a big heart, where folk
Tumut, NSW
The Snowy Valleys come alive to the sound of music and traditions, old and new, bring a community together and heal the
French Island, VIC
Guest Presenter Lisa Millar goes on an adventure to Victoria's French Island. World renowned as a haven for many bird, a
Leonora, WA
Heather Ewart travels to Leonora in the goldfields of WA. 800km north-east of Perth, its home to Australia's richest roa
Pinnaroo, SA
Guest Presenter Kerry Staight travels to Pinnaroo in South Australia, a town that is putting the health and happiness of
King Island, TAS
Heather Ewart heads to King Island, in Bass Strait half-way between Tasmania and Victoria. A place famous for cheese, se
The Great Australian Pub
In this special 100th episode of Back Roads, Heather Ewart looks at The Great Australian Pub. Our very own unique style
Brunette Downs, NT
Back Roads heads to one of the country's largest cattle stations, Brunette Downs in the NT. Heather Ewart discovers what
Marrawah, TAS
Foodie and farmer Paul West packs his surfboard for a Back Roads visit to tiny Marrawah in northwest Tasmania for the le
Quilpie, QLD
Heather Ewart visits the Quilpie shire in outback Queensland. With an average age of under 40, residents have transforme
Ord River, WA
Wiradjuri woman and journalist, Rae Johnston, takes Back Roads on a water fuelled odyssey to the East Kimberley region,
Pyramid Hill and Nhill, VIC
Nhill and Pyramid Hill lie 260km apart but are connected in the most surprising ways. These two old farming towns offer
Tennant Creek, NT
Champion Paralympian Kurt Fearnley finds a heart of gold shining brightly amongst the townsfolk of Tennant Creek. Locals
Musical Road Trip through Western Queensland
Heather Ewart hitches a ride with singer-songwriter Josh Arnold across western Queensland as he makes stars of local kid
Strzelecki Track, SA (Part 1)
Back Roads returns with a journey on the Strzelecki Track, starting near Lyndhurst in SA and heading into the Strzelecki
Strzelecki Track, SA (Part 2)
Back Roads continues the journey on the challenging Strzelecki Track, heading up to Innamincka in the top corner of Sout
Great South West Walk, VIC
Guest presenter Lisa Millar takes us on a journey along Victoria's spectacular Great South West Walk. Hiking the 250km t
Walhalla, VIC
Heather visits the sleepy Victorian mountainside town of Walhalla, on the historic Goldfields Railway. Frozen in time, w
Cunnamulla, QLD
Back Roads visits Cunnamulla in south-west Queensland with guest presenter, 24-year-old Yorta Yorta man and TikTok star
Darkan, WA
Back Roads is heading to Western Australia's vast wheatbelt region, to the little town of Darkan. Deep in the golden pla
Boot Scootin' Tour, TAS
Heather Ewart heads to Tasmania with two intrepid line dancers who are on a boot scootin' line dancing tour of the natio
Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
For the first time, Back Roads leaves Australian shores and travels to our closest northern neighbour, Papua New Guinea.
Brunswick Heads, NSW
Presenter Heather Ewart starts the summer season in the idyllic beachside village of Brunswick Heads in northern New Sou
Naracoorte, SA
Join 'Back Roads' on a journey to Naracoorte on SA's Limestone Coast. Guest presenter, Amanda Shalala discovers a heartw
Uralla, NSW
Heather Ewart heads to the New England region in NSW and the former gold town of Uralla. Now the locals are uncovering a
Home Hill, Qld
Back Roads heads to north Queensland sugar cane country and the town of Home Hill. Presenter Heather Ewart discovers the
Timber Creek, NT
Back Roads heads to Timber Creek in the Top End where guest presenter Kristy O'Brien finds an unlikely partnership is cr
Wheatbelt Animal Carers, WA
Back Roads sets out to discover the wildlife carers of Western Australia's Northern Wheatbelt. Presenter Heather Ewart m
Gemfields, QLD
Guest presenter Lisa Millar goes fossicking on the central Queensland Gemfields, where anyone can strike it lucky. Lisa
Eugowra Recovery, NSW
We return to Eugowra, one of the first towns Back Roads visited when the pandemic hit in 2020. Two years later, it was a
East Arnhem Land, NT (Part 1)
Rae Johnston discovers a remote and tiny community that punches above its weight on the international stage, in music, a
East Arnhem Land, NT (Part 2)
Rae Johnston continues her journey to East Arnhem Land and two very remote communities we rarely see - Gapuwiyak and Gal
Gunbower and Torrumbarry, VIC
Back Roads meanders the mighty Murray River as it criss-crosses the towns of Gunbower and Torrumbarry, in north central
Tasman Peninsula, TAS
Joe O'Brien travels to the Tasman Peninsula, an hour's drive from Hobart. With rolling hills and tranquil bays, towering
Braidwood, NSW
Back Roads visits the heritage-listed NSW town of Braidwood. Heather discovers what inspires the town's many artists and
Julia Creek, QLD
While it's assumed men run things in the Outback, Heather arrives in the Queensland town of Julia Creek to discover the
Tarkine, TAS
Tasmania's north-west embraces one of the oldest and most spectacular areas in the world. Actress Marta Dusseldorp joins
Kurri Kurri, NSW
Lisa Millar travels to an old mining town in eastern NSW. In the face of change, the town is fighting to hang onto its i
Bass Coast, VIC
Back Roads visits the wild Bass Coast in Southeast Victoria. Uncovering the coastline's ancient secrets, Heather Ewart d
Heysen Trail, SA
Back Roads tackles the longest walking track in Australia, the Heysen Trail. Presenter Paul West discovers the intrepid
90 Mile Beach, VIC
Dive into Australia's iconic surf lifesaving culture in Victoria. Heather Ewart visits 90 Mile Beach in Gippsland, meeti
South Burnett Rail Trail, QLD
When Queensland's South Burnett rail line closed after a century of servicing communities in the region, it seemed the b
Ongerup, WA
Back Roads travels to Ongerup in Western Australia's south-eastern wheatbelt country, where the younger generation are r
Charlton, VIC
Back Roads travels to Charlton in north-west Victoria, for an event like no other. A festival that brings locals and blo
Nimmitabel, NSW
Back Roads heads to Nimmitabel in NSW, one of Australia's highest altitude towns. Heather Ewart finds Nimmitabel has sur
Beechworth, VIC
These days the Victorian gold rush town of Beechworth is known for bushrangers, beer and bikes. Guest presenter Annie Lo
Port MacDonnell, SA
Presenter Tom Forrest explores the fishing town of Port MacDonnell, the Southern Rock Lobster capital of the world, on t
Evandale, TAS
Heather Ewart swaps four wheels for two - with mixed results - when she heads to Evandale in Tasmania, Australia's home
Andamooka and Roxby Downs, SA
Backroads heads to the South Australian outback to check out two mining towns that are chalk and cheese - Roxby Downs an
Camperdown, VIC
Camperdown in Southwest Victoria is a town nestled between dormant volcanoes and majestic crater lakes. Kerry Staight di
Theodore, QLD
Back Roads guest presenter Anna Daniels heads to the central Queensland town of Theodore for its 100th birthday. She fin
Kandos, NSW
Back Roads journeys to Kandos, on the edge of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. This is a town famous for mak
Outback Way, NT (Part 1)
In the first of a two-part special, Back Roads takes a trip on The Outback Way, also known as Australia's longest shortc
Outback Way, NT (Part 2)
Back Roads continues its epic trip on The Outback Way. Lisa Millar soaks up spectacular natural wonders and meets people
Kangaroo Island, SA
Back Roads goes in search of all creatures great and small on Kangaroo Island. Guest Presenter Paul West checks in to se
Great Keppel, QLD
Back Roads heads to Queensland's Great Keppel Island. Once a paradise for partygoers, Heather Ewart meets the locals loo
Hilltops Region, NSW
Back Roads presenter Lisa Millar heads to the Hilltops Region of New South Wales for the "shear" excitement and chaos of
Wheelbarrow Way, QLD
Back Roads follows the Wheelbarrow Way from Mareeba to Chillagoe in Far North Queensland, where home town boy and ABC Ne
Bibbulmun Track, WA
Back Roads explores Western Australia's beloved Bibbulmun Track - a 1000 kilometre walk through mighty forests and a rug
Outback Dressmakers, NSW
Back Roads is off to a wedding, as Heather Ewart discovers the world of made-to-measure couture dressmaking in outback N
North East Tasmania
Heather Ewart is almost blown away by the "Roaring Forties" winds when she visits the North East of Tasmania - an area r
10 Years of Back Roads: Heather's Farewell
After ten fun-filled years of hitting the Back Roads, Heather Ewart is saying goodbye. In her final episode, Heather rel
Snowy River, NSW
Gold Logie nominee and the new host of Back Roads, Lisa Millar straps herself in for an adventure exploring the legendar
Mataranka, NT
Kristy O'Brien dives into the nostalgia and untold stories of the Never Never - exploring the town of Mataranka in the T
Forrest, VIC
Guest presenter Paul West ditches his car for a bicycle when he arrives in Forrest nestled in Victoria's Otway Ranges. I
Harvey, WA
Lisa Millar visits Harvey in Western Australia's south-west and discovers how successive waves of migrants have put thei
Van Life (Part 1)
These days, thousands of Australians are swapping four walls for four wheels and taking to life on the road. Myf Warhurs
Van Life (Part 2)
Myf Warhurst continues her van life odyssey in northern New South Wales and Western Australia. Setting out to discover w
Gippsland Lakes, VIC
Lisa Millar is on an odyssey to discover Australia's largest inland waterway, the magnificent Gippsland Lakes in Victori
Tambo, QLD
Back Roads heads to Tambo, an outback town famous for teddies and chicken racing. Guest presenter, Tom Forrest finds a c
Lucindale, SA
Kristy O'Brien ventures to the tiny South Australian town of Lucindale, discovering a small community playing a big role
Tassie Woodchoppers, TAS
Lisa Millar ventures to one of Tasmania's oldest and most celebrated woodchopping carnivals, Henley-on-Mersey. It's here
Shark Bay, WA (Part 1)
Lisa Millar takes "Australia's longest driveway" all the way to Shark Bay, in Western Australia's remote Gascoyne region
Shark Bay, WA (Part 2)
Lisa Millar continues her exploration of Shark Bay, a World Heritage listed wilderness on the westernmost point of Weste
Eldorado, Vic
Guest Presenter Myf Warhurst travels to the Victorian goldfields town of Eldorado, where the locals like to do things di
Shearers, NSW
Back Roads meets today's sheep shearers. Lisa Millar heads to the Riverina in NSW to join a new breed of shearers, and f
Copper Coast, SA
Take a spin around the maypole with guest presenter, Paul West, at the world's second largest Cornish festival, Kernewek
Gayndah, Qld
Back Roads travels to Gayndah, Queensland's oldest town, where citrus is the lifeblood of the community.
Outback Kids' Choir, NSW
Guest Presenter Jeremy Fernandez joins the Sydney Youth Orchestras on an unforgettable musical journey to outback Wilcan
Mission Beach, Qld
Lisa Millar explores Australia's very own Jurassic Park. Mission Beach is a tropical paradise in Queensland where two Wo
Binns Track (Part 1)
In the first of a two-part special, Back Roads guest presenter, Rae Johnston tackles the iconic Binns Track through the
Binns Track (Part 2)
Back Roads continues along Central Australia's remote Binns Track connecting people and cultures. Rae Johnston arrives j
Coonamble, NSW
Presenter Lisa Millar has a front row seat to a once in a lifetime performance by the people of Coonamble in NSW. But wh
Barcaldine, Qld
Guest presenter, Paul West, heads to Barcaldine where ghost stories, legendary strikes and outback art collide. Discover
Cocos Islands, WA
Back Roads heads to the remote tropical paradise of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, where Lisa discovers a unique local culture
Spa Country, VIC
Guest presenter, Joe O'Brien travels to Victoria's Spa Country to find out what's bubbling away below the surface, and i
Gulf Country, NT
Guest presenter, Tom Forrest takes us on a deep dive into the real outback. 'Outback Tom' takes us on a pilgrimage to a
Wycheproof, VIC
Back Roads is heading to the smallest mountain in Australia for one of the craziest events in the country. Lisa Millar c