The ABC's team of specialist reporters introduce you to the people and places that make up country Australia.
Pursuing fishing passion and drawing the curtains on long cinema career
Teen angler pursuing his catch and raising awareness of painful condition; closing the curtain on long career playing the organ for silent films; teachers learning lessons as school embeds a first nations' perspective into curriculum; artist returns to Tamworth with painting of Aussie nostalgia.
1/29/2024 • 25 minutes, 11 seconds
Rural tennis club at the heart of farming community and planning a 'natural' burial
From tractor to tennis court, new chapter for sporting club that's been the glue of farming community for more than a century; natural burial site allowing people like Mary to plan for an environmentally friendly end of life; award-winning artist painting the streets where he once lived rough, before turning life around; passing food traditions down through generations.
1/22/2024 • 25 minutes, 16 seconds
Juggling station work and study and female goat farmers bucking industry trend
Ruby is pursuing her passion for mustering alongside getting a law degree; female farmers dominating goat industry in northern Queensland; changing the pace of netball pays of for sports lovers who are laughing their way through the game; from dealing with drought to serving up strawberries, farmer reflects on career change.
12/11/2023 • 25 minutes, 16 seconds
Riverboat postal service delivering to Hawkesbury community and virtual farmers' market thriving
Last riverboat postie delivering to isolated Hawkesbury locals; virtual farmers market surviving and thriving beyond lockdown days; High school students swapping classroom for cattleyards in agricultural training program; family reflects on more than a century of growing fruit at multi-generational orchard.
12/4/2023 • 25 minutes, 16 seconds
Chasing bioluminescence and living shoreline providing protection from erosion
Chasing bioluminescence as firefly mating season gets underway; how saltmarsh and oyster reefs are protecting low-lying coastal town from erosion; postal pilot making sure mail gets through to remote farming properties; candle business allowing Sarah to tap into creativity from the farm.
11/27/2023 • 25 minutes, 17 seconds
Restoring a once abandoned town and taming wild horses
The retired couple on a mission to 'unabandon' a former hydro town in Tasmanian highlands; horse show proving wild brumbies have ability to be tamed and trained; how a love of huskies introduced South Australian woman to little known sport of dog mushing; months on from brain tumor, Corey the shearer is back doing what he loves.
11/20/2023 • 25 minutes, 14 seconds
Preserving the swamp habitat of 'bunyip bird' and koala colony thriving
Preserving the habitat of a threatened swamp bird; koala colony re-established in 1970s serving as a model of how to translocate animals; artists exhibiting works in book form at regional gallery; the hidden WW2 bunker serving as the ultimate man-cave.
11/13/2023 • 25 minutes, 15 seconds
Sawmiller custodian of precious timber and bringing back native food crops
Custodian ensuring remaining King Billy pine is put to good use; Indigenous farmer harvesting native yams as part of plan to reintroduce traditional crops; grower calls for research on quandongs as Central Australia records dismal harvest; dressage honour for double amputee horse-rider.
11/6/2023 • 25 minutes, 47 seconds
Assisted migration aiming to save threatened gum tree species and whale numbers booming
The bold plan to aid the migration of threatened eucalyptus species in the face of climate change; an exhibition of paintings reveal brilliant mind of reclusive country artist; whale numbers booming on Australia's east coast; flower farming proving to be a perfect fit for working mum's raising families and pursuing passion project.
10/30/2023 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
Ukulele clubs creating social connections and breeding beneficial beetles
Ukulele clubs proving to be a weapon in fight against loneliness; farmers breeding dung beetles for their environmental benefits; chefs sharing skills to help home-cooks cater for cost of living pressures; grazier's lifelong passion for goats is what gets her out of bed in the morning.
10/23/2023 • 25 minutes, 44 seconds
Cowgirls come together and artist tapping into knowledge of ancestors to craft traditional stringybark canoe
Cowgirl catch-up helping rural women build camaraderie and resilience; artist crafting canoe in the same way ancestors would have thousands of years ago; bird lovers calling for better protection for endangered species; training for the tricky job of working with power tools underwater.
10/16/2023 • 25 minutes, 44 seconds
Droving the long paddock and prisoners learning to ride bucking bulls
Droving team spending days on dusty stock route ahead of dry summer; the inmates getting an opportunity to turn their lives around by learning how to ride bulls and compete in rodeo; ladies learning skills for life on the land; the unique pet cemetery that's put a tiny town on the tourist map.
10/9/2023 • 25 minutes, 44 seconds
Ballet dancer returns from success in Romania to teach in outback Queensland and wombats suffering mange get special treatment from Wombat Guy
Before COVID, ballet dancer Douglas Stewart enjoyed stage success in Romania, but has returned to teach ballet in central Queensland. On A Big Country we also meet Wombat Guy, treating mangy wombats in the Hawkesbury.
10/1/2023 • 25 minutes, 47 seconds
A Big Country
Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.
9/24/2023 • 25 minutes, 45 seconds
A Big Country
Meet two winners of the Rural Women of the Year Award; Artistic Director of Moorambilla Voices choir Michelle Leonard, and pet food entrepreneur Emma Gibbons from the Sunshine Coast
9/17/2023 • 25 minutes, 44 seconds
A Big Country
Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.
9/10/2023 • 25 minutes, 44 seconds
Embracing a new life at the edge of an ancient gorge and farewelling the family farm
How moving to an ancient gorge brought this family closer together; farewelling family farm after 130 years; the challenges of motherhood living and working on a remote cattle station; teens collecting native seed for regeneration project.
9/4/2023 • 25 minutes, 45 seconds
Relocating tiny marsupials to island home and nursing penguins back to health
Taking tiny marsupials back to island part of a plan to restore pre-colonisation native wildlife; rare penguin nursed back to health and released to the ocean a long way from home; tapping into trauma of Black Summer bushfires for artistic inspiration; teens with gift of the gab give livestock auctioneering a red hot go.
8/28/2023 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
Healing with horse therapy and sending whisky to sea
How a lifelong love of horses led Elaine to help others; maturation on the high seas, meet the distillers using the 'slosh method' to produce a special whisky; farmers on small acreage find the perfect small livestock - breeding snails; meet Benji the pet goat whose regular beach walks bring joy to many.
8/21/2023 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
From broadcasting to winemaking and studying seaweed for artistic inspiration
How reporting on the wine industry led to a new career making wine for former ABC presenter; artists beachcombing for seaweed to inspire creative works; Julie, the lifelong clown has settled in a small country town, after a career on the road as a traveller performer, but she still has some tricks up her sleeve; the couple who swapped lucrative mining salary for setting up a saddlery in regional Queensland.
8/14/2023 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
Compass trees of the desert and remote craft store
The desert tree that can serve as a compass; wool producer selling her fleece by the skein, direct to knitters from farm shop; four-legged furry friends trained as assistance animals helping war veterans with PTSD deal with daily demands of life; how Liam is sharing his Aboriginal culture with next generation through music.
8/7/2023 • 25 minutes, 36 seconds
Bush two-up game spinning on and women taking the reins of saddle industry
Family ties keeping traditional bush two-up game going in the WA goldfields; young women carving out a career working with leather and taking the reins of saddle industry; adventure on the high seas aboard replica tall ship helping teens detox from devices; hair dyers, clippers and glue at the ready as junior cattle handlers take their heifers into the show ring.
7/31/2023 • 25 minutes, 47 seconds
Outback pub at heart of community and channel country blooms with new life
Meet the publican keeping the heart of her outback community beating; floodwater brings green oasis to desert landscape; horse lovers enjoying challenge and fun of extreme cowboy racing; cattle station training teaching skills for a job in the pastoral industry and changing young lives.
7/24/2023 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
Art and yarning helping community heal from bushfire trauma and green ant harvest
Power of the paintbrush helping rural community heal from bushfire trauma; traditional owners collecting green ants struggling to keep up with demand from restaurant trade; students getting a feel for the wool industry through shearing school; Western Australia's most inland winery growing grapes in challenging conditions.
7/17/2023 • 25 minutes, 37 seconds
Artists inspired by outback and making model planes from scratch
Female artists telling outback stories one brush stroke at a time; perfect and precise tiny models of planes crafted by hand; plant breeders and farmers working on breeding next generation of fruit; entertainer using his whip to put on a cracking show for tourists.
7/10/2023 • 25 minutes, 47 seconds
Bushwalking 1900s style and around Australia in a truck
Taking high tea in the bush, 1900s style; rusty old truck with rich history set for restoration ahead of becoming museum exhibit; celebrating 60 years with a lap of the country in beloved truck; couple discover big business in tiny animals as pygmy goats take off
7/3/2023 • 25 minutes, 43 seconds
Feeding the hungry with fresh produce and planting native trees for parrots
Students gaining skills and helping the hungry with hands-on-learning in the veggie patch; olive growers helping others turn fruit to oil; replanting native trees to protect vulnerable parrot species; midwife taking skills into the paddock pregnancy testing on sheep.
6/26/2023 • 25 minutes, 43 seconds
Tool library helping community rebuild and harvesting winter truffles
Community spirit epitomised in co-operative tool library helping residents rebuild after fire; conservation project teaching preschoolers to care for country and koalas through sounds and song; truffle grower flat-out unearthing winter black truffle variety to feed festival goers; nifty contraption helps with rolling harvest of toughest nut to crack.
6/19/2023 • 25 minutes, 48 seconds
Camels helping to control weeds and community pooling olives for pressing
Camels come to the saviour of graziers battling invasive weed; community pooling picked olives to press for oil; flying doctor taking to the sky to see patients in rural town; cheese lover connecting consumers with farmers through new dairy range.
6/12/2023 • 25 minutes, 48 seconds
Sharing culture in country community and fruit from Amazon Basin thriving in Queensland
South American tropical fruit thriving in Australia's north; exhibition of Bangladeshi quilts telling the story of family, history and culture; breeding small cows for small farms; sheep farmer's passion project collecting historic shearing handpieces.
6/5/2023 • 25 minutes, 48 seconds
Farmers turning fleece into family keepsakes and ploughing to win
Woolgrowers turning fleece into family keepsakes; virtual reality changing lives in regional aged care; inside the niche sport of competitive ploughing; birdwatchers counting birds on farms to boost biodiversity.
5/29/2023 • 25 minutes, 40 seconds
Crowds gather for outback race meet and learning croc wrangling skills
Outback race meet bringing remote community together; learning the skills for a career change into the crocodile cage; how a nut orchard is providing a place of healing; the community collaboration that saved historic riverside boat house.
5/22/2023 • 25 minutes, 15 seconds
New generation of small scale farmers and fermenting grapes to music
New generation of farmers supplying top restaurants; meet the winemakers playing a soundtrack to fermentation; choirs celebrating friendship through song; flower grower working round the clock to deliver for mums.
5/15/2023 • 25 minutes, 45 seconds
Taking to the sky for outback mail run and sculpture to outlast us all
The mail plane delivering to remote communities and cattle stations; sculptor burning through power tools as she carves legacy piece from granite block; from riding his family pet pig to riding bulls on world stage, teen takes on rodeo champs; father and son team in the business of breeding queen bees.
5/8/2023 • 25 minutes, 45 seconds
Breeding for cuteness and continuing family bean legacy
Breeding for cute factor with the 'labradoodle of sheep'; refugees gaining confidence through sewing lessons; growing beans from around the world and riding into town on a horse-drawn cart.
5/1/2023 • 0
Riding for charity and harvesting hops for the 50th time
Outback charity horse trek aiming to raise funds for horse rescue and mental health programs; a record hop harvest caps off 50 years in the industry for third generation hop farmer Allan Monshing; combining old hops with old yeast for unique beer with a nod to the past; how dogs in the classroom are helping instil confidence in junior readers.
4/17/2023 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
Sharing stories of a threatened frog species and eating mutton bird
Celebrating threatened frog and keeping its traditional stories alive; island residents share culinary tips for eating fishy, oily bird; long-time shearer still going strong at 75; converting classic cars from petrol to electric engines comes at a cost, but with no regrets for EV enthusiast.
4/10/2023 • 25 minutes, 47 seconds
Remote school bus run and planting trees for koalas
Bus service for one of the country's most remote schools boosts student numbers; community group reaches milestone in mission to create wildlife corridor for koalas; patient farmer waiting for harvest of first crop of world's most expensive nut; Ancient Viking alcoholic drink gets a modern makeover.
4/3/2023 • 30 minutes
Resurrecting historic hut and swapping shearing for making spirits
Special family connection behind volunteer's drive to resurrect historic mountain hut; farmer swaps shearing for distilling; hot and sweaty past-time of sword play in the tropics; mystery artist has rural community bemused and delighted.
3/26/2023 • 30 minutes
Performing music in a lighthouse and distilling rum with locally grown sugar cane
Musicians experimenting with sound in unique tin lighthouse; young students learning through distance education from island classroom; how a dive instructor became a rum distiller and blacksmith sharing skills of the trade.
3/19/2023 • 30 minutes
Volunteers harvesting hops for beer-making and the Darling River in flood
Brewery's hop harvest brings community together for day out in the sun; back to back flooding on the Darling River bringing back birds, fish and life; country women cook up a plan to cut through pineapple glut; martial arts world champ, sharing her love of the sport in country Queensland gym.
3/13/2023 • 30 minutes
Growing garlic in red desert soil and planting native trees for birds and butterflies
Central Australian garlic crop offers pathway out of poverty; outback retreat providing veterans and first responders with a place of peace; planting native trees to attract birds, butterflies and bugs; gay graziers breaking stereotypes.
3/5/2023 • 30 minutes
Connecting with culture at traditional camp and wet season burning
Saltwater women reviving traditional cultural practices with camp on New South Wales far south coast; support donkey helping staff and students at high school in flood affected region; wet season burns helping rangers and traditional owners stamp out weeds in Kakadu National Park; self-taught artist uses chainsaw skills to carve out wood spirits.
2/26/2023 • 30 minutes
Restoring timber pub and creating an urban oasis for bees
Piano playing publican brings life to country pub; meet the Tassie grannies devoted to caring for rescued dogs; robot fruit pickers helping out with harvest; garden oasis on top of concrete car park providing a sanctuary for native bees.
2/19/2023 • 30 minutes
Farming worms and celebrating a century of family winemaking
One hundred years after Italian ancestors bought grapevines in suitcases, family celebrates winemaking history; farming earthworms proving perfect lifestyle job for young family; horse riding lessons building confidence and character; nature school expands to secondary education as demand grows for outdoor learning experience.
2/13/2023 • 30 minutes
Ridding remote island of feral cats and family business collecting kelp
Catching feral cats to protect native species; family's unique business harvesting kelp on Tassie's wild and windy west coast; the couple who loved dragon fruit so much they decided to grow their own; life of an iron-ore train driver taking mineral to port in the Pilbara.
2/5/2023 • 30 minutes
Growing edible natives and saving saltmarsh eco-systems
Researching native crops for drought resilience; saving saltmarsh eco-systems that serve as carbon sinks; flower farmers selling direct to public with 'pick your own' open days; filmmaker and traditional owners collaborate to tell story of central Queensland history.
12/12/2022 • 30 minutes
Urban farm bearing fruit and mine reopening revives rural town
Publican and distiller create urban farm on old car wash and gravel car park; mine reopening reviving rural town; swapping surfboard for tractor as harvest workers head west to help with farm work; scientists studying migrating whales to gauge what they can hear.
12/5/2022 • 30 minutes
Thrilling hunt for rare trees and quest for carbon neutral brewery
Collector's decades-long thrilling hunt for rare trees; brewery powering on renewable energy; remote community turning dead wood into valuable resource; female apprentice butcher following in mum's footsteps.
11/28/2022 • 30 minutes
Growing French rose varieties in Tasmania and sharing the joy of beekeeping
The French connection helping to grow beautiful roses in Tasmania's Tamar Valley; youth workers turned beekeepers plan to share their joyful job in remote communities; retiring fisherman reflects on dangerous and adventurous life at sea; giving a voice to the experience of young flood survivors.
11/21/2022 • 30 minutes
New chapter for outback pub and saving endangered crayfish
Family restores pub that holds a special place in their history and hearts; farmers' role in saving world's largest freshwater invertebrate; long-time bird watcher tracking migratory species; buddy program linking generations and bringing joy to old and young.
Tiny country school prepare to harvest first wheat crop; community food swap takes off with edible produce exchange; couple's passion for horses leads them to establish brumby rescue clinic; why agriculture is a favourite subject for these high school students.
11/7/2022 • 0
Creativity blossoms in cow paddock and putting pet emus to work on the farm
Young mum bringing creative colour to cow paddock; award-winning buffalo farmers swap research roles for working with animals; pet emus helping out on berry farm; enthusiastic whale watchers taking part in community day connecting to country and culture.
10/30/2022 • 30 minutes
Gearing up for first mango harvest and making tea from fruit farm waste
Farmer working with tea blender to turn fig leaf waste into a herbal tisane; family growing plants for essential oils to make soap; former nurse, police officer gearing up for first harvest as mango farmers; the sheep breeder producing what could be the country's cutest farm animals.
10/23/2022 • 30 minutes
Growing native flowers for cosmetics and seed collecting hobby becomes career
Kangaroo paw flowers prized for anti-wrinkle properties; turning seed collecting hobby into full-time job; 12-year-old's booming chicken business; bike appreciation group celebrating older and unusual rides.
10/16/2022 • 30 minutes
Teeing off on outback golf course and graveyard mystery
Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.
10/10/2022 • 30 minutes
A Big Country
Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.