Back Roads on ABC and ABC iview S11E6 – Lisa Millar continues her journey on the The Outback Way, a series of roads that cross through the heart of Australia.
She starts at Curtin Springs in the Northern Territory, a cattle station five times the size of Singapore. Lisa sees how native grasses are turned into paper and soaks up the wonders of the station’s stunning salt lakes.
Stopping at the Aboriginal community of Lilla, Lisa joins a group of school students as they are immersed in Aboriginal culture, and has a private audience with revered Elder Vera Williams who celebrates the stories of Lilla through her art.
The stories and learning continue at Kings Canyon, one of Australia’s most popular natural wonders. Lisa is awestruck as she hikes through the ancient landscape with Aboriginal guides Lewis Cline and Doug Taylor, whose ancestors lived there.
At the Erldunda Roadhouse, Lisa meets the kids who travel for hours just to go to a playgroup. It’s run by teacher, Kylie Jones, who supports remote children early in their education. Lisa hears how her work is making a big difference in Central Australia.
At the Gemtree Roadhouse, Lisa comes across a vastly different get-together – a “Shitbox Rally”, which has raised $50 million since it started 15 years ago. It’s a wild journey to raise money for the Cancer Council, and all 250 cars entered must cost less than $1500 each. Lisa jumps in with brothers Lou and Peter Mimmo, aka the “Warrior Princesses,” who were inspired to join the madcap rally after Peter’s daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia.
An emotional father-daughter reunion at the finish line is also the end of Lisa’s trip on Australia’s own “Route 66” where distance creates life-changing connections.
Production credit:
Executive Producer: Brigid Donovan. Series Producer: Louise Turley.
Back Roads on ABC and ABC iview – Thursday 13 February at 8.00pm
TV Central ABC content HERE
Back Roads on ABC and ABC iview S11E6
