The Great Outdoors

Ernie Dingo has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge against him of striking an 11-year-old boy at a school in Carnavon, WA.

The actor and former Great Outdoors presenter will now face trial in the Western Australian town over the charge of aggravated common assault.

The event is claimed to have taken place when Dingo attended a school in July this year as a guest speaker during NAIDOC Week to celebrate Aboriginal history and culture. It is claimed that Dingo slapped the boy across the face after singling him out verbally at the school assembly.

The police investigation began after the boy’s mother laid the assault claim.

Dingo has publically announced that he did not hit the boy.

Source: News.com.au

6:30pm – Saturday, September 12 on Seven

Grab your walking shoes for tonight’s episode of THE GREAT OUTDOORS because we’re travelling through some stunning locations by foot.

The journey begins in Australia on The Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory. Regarded by some as one of Australia’s greatest walks, it runs for 223 km through the West MacDonnell Ranges and is a mesmerising trip through ancient mountains, along high exposed ridgelines and deep, sheltered gorges. Tom Williams joins a popular trek with World Expeditions, offering not just exceptional scenery, but also a ‘fully supported’ itinerary, with expert guides and a support team to transfer your gear and set up camp for the night.

Next we meet Marie Redmond as she takes us around her town of Denmark in WA. Rugged coastline, towering karri forests and sheltered secluded beaches are what Marie loves about the area. Having grown up in the Great Southern Region, she is a passionate advocate for the area and she proudly talks of the regional fresh produce and great wines. Denmark is also one of the stops on the famous Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia’s longest walk- which actually passes right by Marie’s backyard!

Meanwhile, Andrew Daddo ventures along Australia’s longest walking trail. It runs from Cape Jervis all the way to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. Dubbed The Heysen Trail, it takes its name from the famous landscape artist, Hans Heysen, who loved to paint in the Flinders Ranges. It would take a few months to walk the entire Heysen Trail, but you can just do little bits at a time and be rewarded with some spectacular scenery.

Off our shores, we take a trip through Toronto, the fifth largest city in Canada and home to one of the world’s longest streets, Yonge Street. But to get around this city easily you can head underground to PATH, a series of underground pathways that all up go for 35 kilometres. Toronto is on Lake Ontario, and you can catch the ferry to seven little islands that the locals just love. Or you can visit Casa Loma, a castle built a hundred years ago by a man with big dreams.

We also go rally driving with Jennifer Hawkins in her home town of Newcastle, meet an Aussie abroad in Dubai and guest reporter Shae Brewster checks out the wild side of South Australia when she stops in at Cleland Wildlife Park.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS is presented by ERNIE DINGO, TOM WILLIAMS and JENNIFER HAWKINS.

6:30pm – Saturday, September 5 on Seven

Put your dancing shoes on for tonight’s episode of THE GREAT OUTDOORS because we’ve travelled the world to sample everything from the tango and flamenco to a traditional Aboriginal dance performed to Zorba The Greek.

Tom Williams goes on the tango trail in Buenos Aires, retracing the history of one of the sexiest dances in the world. He starts at Senor Tango, one of the best tango shows in town. Then Tom visits the Carlos Gardel Museum, which honours the man who made the tango famous around the world. Tom later checks in to the Mansion Dandi Royal, a tango-themed hotel and has some private tango lessons. But this dance is harder to master than it looks!

Jennifer Hawkins meanwhile, visits Spain’s third largest city, Seville. It’s home to the largest cathedral in the world, the spectacular Alcazar palace, and over a thousand tapas bars. There’s also a Flamenco Museum, where Jen learns the history of the famous Spanish dance and takes a private lesson with a famous flamenco dancer, Juan Peredes.

And Ernie Dingo heads to Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. This is an island where traditional culture is very much alive, especially in the dances and the arts and crafts. But there’s a group of young men who have taken the world by storm. They’re called the Chooky Dancers. Their video is on You Tube, and just short of a million hits later, the boys are now being invited to perform in Greece and elsewhere overseas. Basically they put traditional dance moves to modern music, but the dance that made them famous is performed to Zorba the Greek.

We also travel to the Buddhist country of Bhutan and check out Kualoa Ranch, a spectacular mountainous property on Oahu Island in Hawaii.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS is presented by ERNIE DINGO, TOM WILLIAMS and JENNIFER HAWKINS.

6:30pm – Saturday, August 29 on Seven

Tonight on THE GREAT OUTDOORS, Tom Williams travels to the glamorous capital of Argentina to show how you can check out the city sights without burning a hole in your pocket.

Buenos Aires is a sophisticated and beautiful city with plenty to see and do but just how affordable is the new Argentina? Tom checks out the best of the city they call the Paris of South America.

Later, Tom heads to Kauai, Hawaii’s least-developed and most laid-back island. One of the biggest natural attractions on Kauai is “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” – Waimea Canyon. To get a bird’s eye-view, a helicopter is the only way to see the true expanse of this natural wonder. And then you can hop on a bike and ride all the way to the bottom – it’s like a nature walk on wheels! Outfitters Kauai lead bike tours that are 100% downhill and a truly fun and exhilarating ride from the rim of the famed Waimea Canyon.

Meanwhile, Andrew Daddo is in Grafton, NSW for the Jacaranda Festival. Every year in late October the area comes alive to coincide with the flowering of the beautiful jacarandas. The trees were planted more than a hundred years ago and now whole streets turn into a sea of purple. Crowds flock to Grafton from around Australia and overseas to view the trees and enjoy all the festival highlights, including music, street parades, open gardens, and the crowning of the Jacaranda Queen.

We also tour Edinburgh with an Adelaide expat working as a DJ in the Scottish capital and discover the charming Ticino region in southern Switzerland, where even in winter when the snow covers the Alpine peaks and valleys, the lake regions enjoy a mild, Mediterranean climate.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS is presented by ERNIE DINGO, TOM WILLIAMS and JENNIFER HAWKINS.

6:30pm – Saturday, August 15 on Seven

Tonight’s series return of THE GREAT OUTDOORS is hosted by Ernie Dingo and serves up a veritable feast for food fans.

Ernie is seducing his senses and enjoys a fantastic line-up of food, wine, art and sounds at the Taste Great Southern. This foodie event, held in February each year, showcases the superb quality of regional produce available and features appearances by guest chefs, food authors and local artists. He also visits the Albany Farmers Market, gets his feet sticky at the Porongurup Wine Festival Great Grape Stomp and cooks off against the local chefs at the One Wok Wonder.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Hawkins combines fine food with lazing in the sun at a tropical island. She’s in Hayman Island where the culinary vacation starts from the time you set foot onboard the luxury launch transfer from Hamilton to Hayman. Jennifer dons an apron for a themed cooking masterclass with Hayman’s executive chef in the white temple, one of the largest kitchen facilities in a hotel in the Southern Hemisphere. The trip is also not complete without a visit to the Chocolate Room where Jennifer gets to lend a hand at chocolate making.

Tom Williams on the other hand, is sampling a two state tasting plate – exploring the foodie heaven in the border towns of Albury and Wodonga. The majestic Murray River that winds its way between these twin towns is also a life-giving water source allowing this region to thrive as a producer of some of Australia’s finest fresh foods and wines. Here, visitors can savour fresh regional produce and award-winning wines as well as enjoy meals prepared by some of Australia’s finest chefs.

We also learn the secret to making the best curry at home and travel to Australia’s peanut capital, where even the ice cream tastes nutty.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS is presented by ERNIE DINGO, TOM WILLIAMS and JENNIFER HAWKINS.

Saturday July 26
6:30pm

Jennifer Hawkins shows where to shop, eat and stay in Hong Kong, including the latest bargain hotspots for fashion and exclusive labels, in this week’s episode of THE GREAT OUTDOORS.

From open air markets and local boutiques to high-end fashion and labels at a fraction of the price, Jennifer discovers that Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise. And it’s just as exhilarating by night as it is by day. Every evening at 8pm the skies are lit up with a spectacular light show that can be seen from both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. A good vantage point is from the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s answer to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Markets are a lively place in the evening where you can test out your bargaining skills and eat interesting fare such as turtle soup – if you dare!

Tom Williams continues his South American sojourn, visiting Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. The glamorous capital of Argentina is a sophisticated and beautiful city with plenty to see and do – and checking out the city sights will hardly burn a hole in your pocket at all. So just how affordable is the new Argentina? Tom checks out the best of the city they call “the Paris of South America”.

Plan your visit to South Australia for this year’s annual Renmark Rose festival. Guest reporter, Saturday Disney’s Shae Brewster learns how to steer a houseboat and goes waterskiing, all on the Murray, before arriving in Renmark for the annual Rose Festival, held every October. And if you can’t make it to Renmark for the Rose Festival, there are more than 50,000 roses to be seen at Ruston’s Rose Garden, which is the largest collection of roses in the southern hemisphere.

Discover more about the mystical kingdom of Bhutan, a lost kingdom in the Himalayas where progress is measured by how happy the inhabitants are.
Bhutan has long enticed saints, mystics, scholars and pilgrims and today the kingdom continues to impress visitors with its array of monasteries, trekking options, festivals and the friendliness of its people. Despite centuries of self-imposed isolation, Bhutan is now opening itself to modernisation, while protecting its rich history and traditions.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS is presented by ERNIE DINGO, TOM WILLIAMS, ANDREW DADDO and JENNIFER HAWKINS.

Saturday July 19
6:30pm

Tonight on THE GREAT OUTDOORS, Olympic fever hits the team – Ernie travels to host country China to test the local culinary delights and discover the best shopping. At home, Tom, Jen and Andrew catch up with our Aussie Olympians across the country.

With the Olympic Games just weeks away, Ernie heads to the host city for an Olympic update. He meets up with some Olympic volunteers and Aussie expat Helena Gallagher for some bargaining tips at the Panjiayuan Market. Ernie tries out the local culinary delights and discovers the residents of Beijing are ready and excited to showcase China to the world.

Jennifer Hawkins meets 100m sprinter Josh Ross, who is picking up the baton as part of the 4x100m men’s relay in Beijing, on the Central Coast in NSW. Josh, who holds the fastest 100m time by an Australian, shares his training secrets with Jen, as well as his love for painting and creating electronic music compilations.

Jen also catches up with the daughter of two Olympians. Pole Vaulter Alana Boyd is continuing the track and field family tradition with her place in the pole vault team. Alana’s father Ray Boyd is a former pole vaulter, while her mother Denise (nee Robertson) is a former sprinter. In the lead up to her Beijing preparation, Alana is training at the Boyd family home on the Sunshine Coast. Alana’s selection for the Beijing Games marks the first time in our nation’s history that a child of two former Olympians will compete in an Australian Olympic team.

Tom Williams heads to Wagga Wagga to find out why this town has produced more elite athletes than any other town in Australia. He meets up with some of the city’s well known sporting heroes, including former Sydney Swans star Paul Kelly, rugby league legends the Mortimer Brothers and Equestrian Olympian Olivia Bunn to explore Wagga’s Sporting Hall of Fame and the many theories that abound as to the reasons for the city’s sporting successes.

Andrew Daddo visits the nation’s capital, Canberra, to catch up with the granddaddy of the Australian swim team, Adam Pine, who is about to compete in his third Olympics. Home to the Australian Institute of Sport where he trains, Adam and his family take Andrew to another of their favourite Canberra places, the National Zoo and Aquarium.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS is presented by ERNIE DINGO, TOM WILLIAMS, ANDREW DADDO and JENNIFER HAWKINS.

Saturday July 12
6:30pm

Tonight Tom Williams gets acquainted with Captain Cook’s famous ship, the Endeavour.

But sailing from Newcastle to Sydney aboard the exact replica of the 18th century tall ship isn’t exactly a holiday. Tom will be sleeping hammock-style, climbing the rigging, learning about navigation and sailing the ship. Expect great times on the high seas.

Tom also concludes his three-part South American special, rising before dawn to finish the Inca Trail with a three-hour trek to the Sun Gate for an awe-inspiring view over Machu Picchu. The ruined Inca city was once home to 1000 residents and was only rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Tom checks out the remains of palaces, baths and temples and sees what life might have been like for the ancient civilisation.

Nature-lover Ernie Dingo arrives in the Victorian Grampians just in time to see the Grampians Wildflower Show at Halls Gap. He then hops on a bus full of orchid lovers to hunt for the tiny treasures nearby before joining Ranger Mike Stevens for a tour of the best wildflower viewing points within the national park.

Jennifer Hawkins hops over to New Zealand for an adventure in Queenstown. She finds a stunning town, brimming with things to do. Checking into Nugget Point, Jen quickly discovers it lives up to its luxury tag by offering guests transfers in either a Bentley limousine, Porsche convertible or helicopter! The thrills continue as Jen test drives Queenstown’s latest adrenalin rush, the Fly By Wire, by piloting a purpose-built plane suspended by wire over a steep valley.

Jen also takes time to celebrate France’s Bastille Day, which falls every July 14. The most significant public holiday on the French calendar, it’s a great time to get to know Paris. Bastille Day is marked by a grandiose military parade on the Champs-Elysees and numerous fireworks displays light up the Eiffel Tower. It’s an event you need to experience once in your life.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS is presented by ERNIE DINGO, TOM WILLIAMS, ANDREW DADDO and JENNIFER HAWKINS.

Saturday July 5
6:30pm

Tonight, Andrew Daddo hosts a mysterious episode of THE GREAT OUTDOORS from Wentworth in NSW.

Standing on the dunes of Perry Sandhills, you’d be hard pressed to believe that just beyond the desert lies two of Australia’s mightiest rivers – the Murray and Darling – which meet at the historic town of Wentworth. The surrounding deserts hold the secrets of ancient times when mega fauna – giant kangaroos, lions, emus and wombats that became extinct around 20,000 years ago – once roamed the region. The rolling red Perry Sandhills date back to the Ice Age (40 000 years ago) and also contain evidence of early Aboriginal occupation. So join Andrew and Graham Clarke from the local Barkindji tribe as they delve into the mysteries and extensive history of this fascinating area.

Tom Williams goes hunting for the Loch Ness monster in Scotland and meets some interesting locals along the way who’ll help him try and uncover whether she really exists. He also takes us on part two of the famous 44 kilometre journey along the ancient Inca Trail, from Cusco all the way to Macchu Piccu. Along the way we’ll see the ancient ruins of the Incan civilisation and hear stories about this fascinating culture.

Ernie Dingo checks out North East England, which is rich in history and legend. Among the places he visits is the imposing Bamburgh castle, said to be the home of Sir Lancelot, a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table.

Jennifer Hawkins is in Santa Cruz on the last part of her USA drive. There’s something up here and it’s not just the surf! At the Mystery Spot, balls roll uphill and buildings lean at odd angles. Up in the nearby mountains the elusive Big Foot has been spotted numerous times. Jen finds out just how weird Santa Cruz is before ending her drive in San Francisco.

And we head to Australia’s UFO hotspot, Wycliffe Well in the Northern Territory to meet local Lew Farkas.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS is presented by ERNIE DINGO, TOM WILLIAMS, ANDREW DADDO and JENNIFER HAWKINS.

Saturday June 28 6:30pm (G) on Seven

Tom Williams begins one of the most famous walks on the planet, the Inca Trail.

His journey starts in Cusco, formerly the capital of the Incan Empire and it provides a chance to acclimatise to the high altitudes of the Andes as the city itself is actually situated higher than Machu Picchu. Here Tom will get ready for the journey to the lost city of the Incas.

Tom also checks out the Cairns Highlands in a new Winnebago. The area is a natural wonderland – with World Heritage Rainforests, waterfalls, national parks, crater lakes and volcanic formations against a backdrop of rolling green hills.

Jennifer Hawkins continues her drive up the West coast of California – second stop, Carmel. Don’t look for streetlights, house numbers and neon signs though. High-heels may be worn by permit only and dogs run free on Carmel Beach.

Andrew Daddo is in Corsica, the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Andrew opts to take a leisurely tour of the west coast. His journey begins with a walk with a donkey through the north-west where seaside cliffs and grottoes, jagged sun-baked mountains, deEpisode gorges, white-sand beaches and pristine Mediterranean landscapes merge. Andrew also finds out where to seek good travel advice before an overseas trip and shows you how to make better use of your left over foreign change.

And according to the locals, Queensland’s second largest city during the 1870s gold rush, Charters Towers, is one of the most haunted towns in Australia. Robbie Gough is a long-time resident and it wasn’t until a recent ghostly encounter that he started to believe. He shares with us the town’s secrets.