Join Ernie Dingo in this captivating new three-part series as he explores Australia’s most iconic destinations – The Northern Territory’s Uluru, the spectacular Kakadu National Park and one of the few living organisms that can be seen from space – The Great Barrier Reef.
But this is no ordinary travel show, as Ernie introduces us to the traditional owners and other people who live, breathe and work amongst these incredible places.
Prepare to have your breath taken away by some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery, while being moved by the real-life stories of the people Ernie meets in his quest to discover more about the country’s popular tourist destinations.
NITV Senior Producer Rima Tamou was inspired to create a travel series with a difference:
“Through the stories of the people Ernie meets, audiences will discover there is even more to these beautiful places than what first meets the eye.”
“Through his warmth and genuine curiosity in people and places, and instant rapport with locals, Ernie discovers little known-facts and hidden secrets from the people who know these amazing places best.”
NITV Channel Manager Tanya Denning-Orman added:
“I am so proud of this exciting new series, which showcases some of Australia’s most stunning locations, while paying tribute to the traditional land owners and others who make these destinations such amazing places to visit.”
Episode One: Great Barrier Reef – Sunday, 4 December at 8pm on NITV
Ernie travels to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of north-eastern Queensland and meets people who have made this beautiful part of the world their home. He catches up with Yindinji elder Gudju Gudju who shows him the mangrove swamps, explaining their importance to the reef as a nursery for the multitude of fish species that inhabit the reef. At James Cook University, Ernie meets Jamie, a toxinologist who is extremely passionate about his work with the deadly creatures that inhabit the ocean. Jamie shares with Ernie his goal to educate the world with his knowledge, with the hope of protecting our oceans and natural environments. Ernie also takes a scuba dive with diving instructor Erin, and finds out what her job and living on the Reef means to her; and he meets couple Gareth, a skipper, and his partner Teresa, also a toxinologist, who are raising a family on knowing and loving the Reef.
Episode Two: Uluru – Sunday, 11 December at 8pm on NITV
Ernie lands in Australia’s red centre in the middle of winter and meets some of the people who live near the iconic “Uluru”. He meets traditional Annangu owner Sammy and his partner Kathryn, and gets an insight into Sammy’s view of this special place. Ernie is also invited by National Parks ranger Melinda and the local Annangu elders to take part in a controlled burn. He learns more about Mal, a woman who has spent the last 10 years of her life working in the shadow of Uluru and getting to know the Annangu people. Ernie meets a group of Indigenous people taking part in a training program that’s been designed to give Indigenous people opportunities to gain employment in the hospitality industry. He is shown around by Leon, a young man who is trying to make his way in the world, and shares with Ernie what he sees as his future. Ernie takes a flight over Uluru with chopper-pilot Dave, seeing the rock formations from above and learning how this adventurous and well-travelled country boy ended up at Uluru.
Episode Three: Kakadu – Sunday, 18 December at 8pm on NITV
In the northern part of Kakadu National Park, Ernie encounters crocodiles while taking a cruise up the East Alligator River with Binning man Neville. Neville tells Ernie about his love for his job and why this part of the country if so special to him. Ernie brushes up on his camera skills, getting a lesson from landscape and wild-life photographer Louise, who is originally from the U.K. The pair spends a day taking pictures of the diverse wildlife on the Yellow Water Billabong and Louise shares her passion for photography and love for Kakadu. Ernie takes to the skies by helicopter to look out over some spectacular Kakadu with Steve, who left his life as a policeman in England to become a pilot in the NT. Ernie spends a day with Ranger Trevor, exploring rock art. He finds out there are still many more ‘rock art’ sites in the area that haven’t yet been discovered. Ernie finds out more about Trevor, whose Indonesian father stowed away to Australia in the under carriage of a DC-10 aeroplane and grew up with the Binning people.
