Season 2 of Great Australian Walks comed to SBS in August with Julia Zemiro sharing the trek duties with two additional presenters: comedian Susie Youssef (Deadloch, The Project) and Gina Chick (Alone Australia winner).
Each of the 10 episodes, fronted by either Julia, Susie or Gina, invites viewers to slow down and armchair travel to the sights, sounds and stories that define Australia.
Walks featured in series 2 include: Cape to Cape Track (WA), Snowies Alpine Walk (NSW), Beechworth (VIC), Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (NT), Bruny Island (TAS), The Bay Trail (VIC), Wadjemup / Rottnest Island to Fremantle (WA), Wilpena Pound (SA), Bathers Way (NSW) and The Riesling Trail (SA).
Presenter and Executive Producer Julia Zemiro said: “I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic and passionate response to Series 1 of Great Australian Walks from viewers. There is a real hunger for connection to nature and the solace that walking gives. So to be back for Series 2 is a real privilege, especially when I am sharing walking host duties with Gina Chick and Susie Youssef. Come join us – be inspired to go on your own walks or sit back and enjoy!”
Presenter Susie Youssef said: “Most of the problems I have in life seem manageable after a good walk so you can imagine my absolute delight when Great Australian Walks asked me to tie up my (now tax-deductible) laces and see more of this ridiculously beautiful country on foot. I can not wait for the audience to take a look at the stunning new places and meet the excellent humans in this new season.”
“I am well aware that no one can be the extraordinary Julia Zemiro but the extraordinary Julia Zemiro so there was no point even trying but how chuffed am I just to be in her orbit?”
“Very. I bloody love her and my new soul-sister, Gina Chick (who, just quietly, is magnificent). They are both warm, witty, magnetic humans who I would walk with any day of the week and twice on Sundays so join us for this new series and then contact SBS and demand a new series asap.”
Presenter Gina Chick said, “Great Australian Walks has been an absolute dream come true. I’ve loved every stage of the process, especially being able to explore new parts of Australia, barefoot, and to bring you all along with me in my first adventure as a TV series presenter. This season of Great Australian Walks is going to be epic. The three walks I went on were amazing, so I can’t wait to see what Susie and Julia got up to.”
“In a culture where humans are increasingly losing connection with nature, and our world is speeding up, this show is the perfect antidote, reminding us to slow down, look up and allow a horizon to do what horizons do, which is give us a deeper sense of our place in the interconnected web of life. Or just go for a wander with some mates and let our incredible country reveal more spectacular secrets, many of which are hiding in plain sight.”
Bernadine Lim, SBS Senior Commissioning Editor for Documentaries, said: “We were thrilled with the reception to Great Australian Walks and can’t wait for audiences to connect with these new great walks that reveal Australia’s history, culture, people and geography.”
“The production quality of this brand-new series is on another level – with three brilliant presenters in Julia, Gina and Susie, as well as a smorgasbord of special guests and some truly innovative drone camerawork that really helps bring the sheer scale and beauty of these walks into focus.”
Executive Producer and Mint Pictures Creative Director Dan Goldberg, said: “Julia, Susie and Gina each bring their natural screen presence, unique wisdom and wit, and their own ‘secret sauce’ to their episodes, elevating Series 2 of Great Australian Walks three times over.”
From the pristine shores surrounding Margaret River, Rottnest Island, Newcastle, St Kilda and Bruny Island to the spiritual tranquility of Uluru, rugged ridges of Wilpena Pound, scenic views atop Mt Kosciuszko, rolling vineyards along the Riesling Trail and the captivating charm of historic Beechworth, Julia, Gina and Susie visit an array of Australia’s must-see destinations.
No longer impeded by the COVID-19 travel restrictions placed on Series 1, this brand-new series of Great Australian Walks travels further and wider this time around. From the comfort of home, viewers will be guided on idyllic strolls along picturesque tracks throughout NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and – for the very first time – the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.
Along the way they’ll meet experts, locals, First Australians and new Australians who all help bring to life the rich tapestry of intersectional history that shapes our modern multicultural country.
Familiar faces include ARIA award-winning musician and activist John Butler, broadcaster and writer Benjamin Law, comedians Geraldine Hickey and Rachel Berger, First Nations singer-songwriter Kutcha Edwards, award-winning authors Craig Silvey and Katherine Kovacic and Olympic legend Kurt Fearnley.
The series is enriched by nostalgic archival footage of key moments from Australia’s national history: from Stuart Diver being pulled from the 1997 Thredbo landslide disaster to the historic hand back of Uluru in 1985 and the infamous Ned Kelly shootout – dubbed the nation’s first paparazzi photo.
Each episode is hosted by one of the series three presenters and will feature a separate and achievable walk graded easy-moderate.
Great Australian Walks Series 2 will be subtitled in languages, streaming on SBS On Demand in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.
Great Australian Walks Series 2 is produced by Mint Pictures for SBS. It was directed by Helen Barrow, with production from Series Producer Jodi Boylan and Producer Daniel Whelan.
7.30pm Thursday 22 August on SBS.
links to content on ABC
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