Travel Oz Season 6, Episode 26: Solstice Celebrations

1

Aussie Legends

Legendary Country music comedian CHAD MORGAN, Graceful gliding over the Central Coast, taking the warship HMAS Vampire under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Whisky distilling at the historic village of Joadja.

29 min

2

Cultural Celebrations

Celebrating the lunar New Year, with lion dances, traditional get togethers, dragon boat races, local festivities, street parades, Town Hall Concerts.

30 min

3

Vintage Cars / Wine Harvest

From a car rally on the NSW South Coast to a wine harvest in the Hunter Valley. Jamberoo Action Park, Wolf and Woman Distillery, Ifly Penrith, John Wallace wines, The Boat Shed The Entrance.

28 min

4

Southern Aurora

Travel back in time on the carriages that used to connect Sydney and Melbourne. This trip is to the Riverina, via historic sights in Goulburn and Junee. Meet the marvellous grape grower Pete Piccolo, hop on board a WW2 spitfire in Temora. Nostalgic memories abound in this 5 day train trip.

32 min

5

Aerial Daredevils

From the Central Coast aero club, fly with a group of stunt fliers. In Camden watch team roping at K Ranch. PLUS Camden Valley Inn, The Girl and the Goat Café, Tuckers Lane: boutique lavishly outfitted shipping containers, Lake Mac Brewing.

29 min

6

Cunnamulla Fella

A trip around Paroo Shire in southern Outback Queensland. Highlights include Music in the Mulga, collecting opals in Yowah Opals, and attending the inaugural Riverlights Festival, where we experience a performance by Opera Queensland on the Queensland Music Trail. The outback is blanketed with wildflowers, with Lizards, and Mud baths at Eulo, Big Glen at Wyandra, a fishing contest in Cunnamulla and catching yabbies and rounding up sheep, with hot artesian waters, at Charlotte Plains.

29 min

7

Outback Pioneers

Vintage Cobb and Co Coaches pulled by a Galloping team of horses on the edge of Longreach, travelling on a Paddle wheeler on the Thomson River, The Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Outback Pioneers and No Go Station.

26 min

8

Rodeo Rough Riders

TEAM ROPING in the Queensland town of Richmond and at K Ranch where we experience a Rodeo. Also, the stunt Flying Dentist, Temora’s vintage Aircraft showcased, the Old Milk Factory at Wyong, and pianist Richard Clayderman in concert with Richmond Fossil discoveries in Richmond.

28 min

9

Outback Skies

In the Queensland town of Hughenden, we attend the inaugural Outback Skies festival, with its bull rides, raft races, and lantern parade. Other highlights include veteran piano accordion player Cecily Paul, Mount Walker, the one Horse town of Prairie, Kooroorinya Falls Nature Reserve, the gorgeous Porcupine Gorge, Outback life on Mount Emu Station, the massive wind turbines, and solar generators at the Kennedy Energy Park.

32 min

10

Wonders of the Narrabri Region

The best of Narrabri NSW with its huge Observatory, Boggabri, Wee Waa, a Cotton Gin, Fish Farm, Yarrie Lake, Mt Kaputar, Sawn Rocks, Pilliga Salt Caves, and the Vivid-like Light show NarraBRIGHT.

31 min

11

Kayaking The Tasman

A new world record from kayaker Richard Barnes as he paddles unassisted from Tasmania to New Zealand, best of the Blue Mountains, with Scenic World, the Zig Zag Railway, The Mountain Heritage Hotel, and the Queensland Music Trails.

32 min

12

Reef to Rainforest

Diving the Great Barrier Reef with Minke Whales, exploring the Cassowary Coast, with its Tully Sugar Cane Mill, and Charley’s Chocolate Factory. Visiting the Atherton Tablelands, with the awesome Herberton Historic Village, Crystal Caves, and Old Mate’s Farm. In Cairns, we visit the Wolf Lane Distillery, while north at the Thala Nature Reserve we watch coconuts dehusked, and in the Daintree we check out the Discovery Centre with its wild cassowaries.

35 min

13

Hot Air Affair

The World women’s Hot Air Ballooning Championships in Northam WA, flying with world Champion Nicola Scaith in the Hunter Valley, the colourful Lisa McGuigan and her cellar door in the Hunter, breakfast with koalas and diving with sharks at Shark Dive Xtreme.

27 min

14

Gold Gold Gold

The Guiness World Book of Records attempt to have the most gold panners at the same time, held in West Wyalong as part of the Hearts of Gold Festival. Cowra’s World War two mass prison break-out by Japanese prisoners of war, Forbes and its vintage car museum.

31 min

15

Adrenaline Action Across Australia

A hot air ballooning event that should never have been staged, given the high winds resulted in dramatic scenes: Balloons crashing into houses and catching alight, balloonists hospitalised with broken limbs. High drama in a series of events from Western Australia to New South Wales.

31 min

16

Gold Coast Glory

A series of nature experiences from the coast to the hinterland. From Burleigh Heads to the Lamington National Park. Seekers singer Keith Potger performs in a Gold Coast concert. Plus the Jacaranda Festival of Grafton

32 min

17

White Fury

Flashback to the first rafting expedition through Tibet by a group of Aussies, starting off the side of Mount Everest through to the capital of Lhasa. Sky burials, first ever foreign encounters with remote Tibetans.

34 min

18

Great Physical Challenges

In this episode, Greg follows Aussies who have taken on amazing physical challenges, from Greg Mortimer - the first Aussie to reach the top of Mount Everest - to Richard Barnes, who has just become the first person to paddle unassisted from Australia to New Zealand. We cover the Hawkesbury Classic, where a big group of kayakers paddle overnight from Windsor down the Hawkesbury River. We meet Cheryl Bart who has climbed with her daughter all seven summits, then skied to the North and South Poles. Why do they do it? Why do they put themselves through so much pain to reach their goal? We'll explore that question.

27 min

19

Taste of Tasmania

TASTE OF TASMANIA looks at Bruny Island, off Tasmania's south east tip. Watch a group trek to scenic highlights on Bruny Island, and meet the Bruny Baker, who sells his bread by leaving his loaves in roadside fridges. Trekking with the leaders in adventure travel, Park Trek. On the West Coast of Tasmania, visit Cradle Mountain with a huge Tassy Devil known as Fandangles. Cruise from Strahan on a wilderness cruise to convict settlement Sarah Island. Check out Melbourne's inner city gems and meet Jen Willis, a highly motivated adventurer with MS who is scaling the world's highest mountains, including Mount Everest.

35 min

20

Year of the Dragon

Highlights of the Year of the Dragon celebrations in Sydney, including a Town Hall concert, dragon boat races, and dumpling feasts.

30 min

21

All Aussie

Historic Aircraft at the Queensland Air Museum, Wakeboarding at the Gold Coast Wake Park, Brigadoon, Melbourne Must-Do's, Aussie Travel Author.

26 min

22

Tantalising Tasmania

A trek along the steep cliffs of the Three Capes in Tasmania. Shucking fresh oysters on a Tasmanian oyster farm. Dining with friendly whales off the Sunshine Coast. Aboriginal artwork being painted on the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast's newest and most luxurious hotel. High speed yachting in Moreton Bay.

33 min

23

Pristine Palau

The Micronesian island group of Palau with its stunning azure waters, phenomenal diving experiences, sumptuous seafood offerings and a rich culture.

25 min

24

Pristine Palau 2

The Micronesian island group of Palau with its stunning azure waters, phenomenal diving experiences, sumptuous seafood offerings, memories of one of the second world war's fiercest battles, and a rich culture.

24 min

25

The Greek Community of Melbourne

The Greeks of Melbourne, from Easter observances and entertainers to cultural centres and retailers.

23 min

26

Solstice Celebrations

Australia’s stargazing capital Uralla marks the winter solstice with celebrations in its new Constellations of the South. Plus Captain Thunderbolt and the Waterfall Way.

35 min

27

Cowra Breakout

Markling the 80th anniversary of the world's biggest wartime prison outbreak in Cowra. The whale super highway off Sydney, fishing off the So.,itary Islands, Jacarandah FGestival Grafton, Ulmarra, Melbourne treats.

29 min

28

Top End Untamed

It's a wild world in Australia's Top End, with crocodile encounters captivating visitors. Plus the best of Sydney's Pittwater, and the hidden secrets of the Seven Valleys west of the Blue Mountains. Including the pub that rocks.

35 min

29

Pitch Black

Featuring a mighty multi-national operation, tonnes of tulips, Mayfield Gardens, and fantastic farm stays.

25 min

30

Aussies in New York

Aussies making a real mark in New York with annual barbeques, regular get-togethers, and brilliant business ideas.

25 min

31

Encounters of the Adrenaline Pumping Kind

Encounters of the Adrenaline Pumping Kind, Face to Face with a giant Whale Shark, Killer Croc attacks camper, deadly king brown snake bites handler on the nose, Valerie Taylor shark attack and the hazardous hot air event that should never have been put to film.

34 min

32

Extreme Expeditions

Heritage expeditions, cannibals in New Guinea, the Island at the End of the World, Shipwreck Middleton reef, Best of Berry, Yarra Valley Dairy Farm.

31 min

33

Wonders of Western Australia

Mandurah, The Perth Mint, Camels on Cable Beach, Pearls in Broome, The Bungle Bungles. Plus Yarra Valley Gardens, Darwin motorbike explorer, Mudgee Magic

33 min

34

Top Aussie Characters

From the founder of travel film making Mal Leyland of the Leyland Brothers, to the motorcycling granny, and blacksmithing twins, to entertainers Keith Potger of the Seekers and veteran comedian Chad Morgan.

31 min

35

Top End Aviators

Darwin's Aviation Museum, Qantas hangar and Royal Flying Doctor display. Margaret River Berry Farm & Ruse Retreat, Busselton Jetty, Billabong wellness Centre Sydney, and Victoria's 17 POUND wellness retreat.

26 min

36

Aussies In Antarctica

Join an expedition to the Antarctic with Susan Elliott and a shipload of Aussies... exhilerating experiences with wildlife, and awesome icebergs.

24 min

37

Year of the Snake

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Australian with concerts, parades, performances and more.

26 min

38

Maritime Masterpieces

The Ocean Film Festival, Historic Vessels at Sydney's Marvelous Maritime Museum, Dragon Boat Races in New South Wales, and Daylesford Delights in Victoria.

33 min

39

Aussies In Bali

The ultimate holiday in Bali, with hosts Irene Jones and Sarah Maree Cameron. Aussies like Olympic swimmer Michael Klim now running a swimming school there.

28 min

40

Brigadoon

Scottish celebrations in the Southern Highlands, amongst the wildlife in South Africa, Magic Melbourne moments, from the Melbourne Museum to Fitzroy and Moonee Ponds.

32 min