The Great Outdoors

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Saturday June 21 6:30pm (G) on Seven

Tonight THE GREAT OUTDOORS takes a look at some good family fun.

Ernie Dingo checks out two of Vanuatu’s most famous Port Vila resorts and reports on what they have to offer in their kids’ clubs. There’s everything from beach Olympics to grass-skirt making and swimming with horses.

Saturday June 14
6:30pm

Tonight Tom Williams begins his journey to one of the most famous walks on the planet, the Inca Trail.

Only 500 hikers are permitted to start on the trail each day and this includes all guides and porters. We meet Tom’s team of travel companions, including fellow walkers and our guide Julio Cesar. Along the way we’ll see the ancient ruins of the Incan civilisation and hear stories about this fascinating culture. All the way combating altitudes that reach up to 4,200m above sea level!

Tom also checks out Waimea Canyon in Hawaii. Dubbed ‘the Grand Canyon of the South Pacific’, it’s a sight to see, from the multiple lookouts to a helicopter flight. Tom checks it out in all different ways, but saves the best for last. Closer to home, Tom heads 200km west of Cairns to Chillagoe, to uncover some of the area’s secrets in the elaborate cave system – the most extensive in QLD.

Saturday June 7
6:30pm

Tonight Ernie Dingo hosts a Europe special from the UK, where he takes a look at modern Manchester, London and Newcastle.

Interweaving its mementos of the past with dramatically modern 21st century-style and technology, Manchester thrives to the beat of its futuristic urban soul. A ride on the 60 metre high Wheel of Manchester provides a great perspective of the city; a walk with a local blue badge guide highlights the music and architecture; and for genuine snow culture, Ernie visits the Chill Factory, the UK’s longest and widest indoor Alpine ski slope.

Saturday May 31 6:30pm (G)

Tonight Andrew Daddo hosts a look at some of the wonders of the world from Brachina Gorge in South Australia.

Located in the Flinders Ranges and nicknamed “a corridor through time”, the rocks here are more than 600 million years old and embedded in them are the world’s oldest marine fossils.

Andrew also checks out Paricutin Volcano in Mexico. Slowly formed in the middle of a cornfield near Urapan in 1943, it was born from nothing, the first one of our lifetime.

Tom Williams meanwhile, is about to begin one of the most famous walks on the planet, the Inca Trail. His journey starts in Cusco, the capital of the Incan Empire, which provides a chance to acclimatise to the high altitudes of the Andes as the city itself is actually situated higher than Machu Picchu.

Saturday May 24
6:30pm

Tonight on THE GREAT OUTDOORS, Jen brings you a romantic holidays special from Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

Ernie discovers why Vanuatu is pure paradise for romantic holiday-makers;

Shelley decides if Hua Hin in Thailand is good enough for the royals to use as a holiday base, it’s good enough for her, and immerses herself in the luxury of a 5-star spa resort;

Andrew heads to Grasse in France – the perfume capital of the world – where he learns how to make perfume under the “nose” of a master perfumer at Galimard perfumery;

Jen heads to the spectacular Megalong Valley in Sydney’s Blue Mountains where she finds plenty of romantic holiday options while staying at a secluded cabin just for couples;

Saturday May 17
7:30pm

Tonight on THE GREAT OUTDOORS, Tom Williams is about to begin one of the most famous walks on the planet, the Inca Trail.

His journey starts in Cusco, which provides travellers 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 one of his most memorable trips with The Great Outdoors to date – a journey to the lost city of the Incas to discover the charm of the former capital of the Incan empire.

Ernie Dingo is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It’s something of a Boom Town - a city in recovery, fast rebuilding and reinventing itself. Ernie takes time to explore the city’s Quarters, including the Titanic Quarter, a major site of redevelopment and birth place of the famed and doomed ship. But with all that is new, the history and troubles of the city will never be forgotten and can be easily discovered by visitors.

Saturday May 10
7:30pm

Tonight on THE GREAT OUTDOORS, Andrew Daddo shows us some of the hidden gems of China.

Dali is an ancient town set at the foot of the spectacular Cangshan mountain range. Andrew takes a chairlift to get a bird’s eye view over the old town and nearby Erhai Lake. He experiences local hospitality in the colourful local villages and gets a glimpse into traditional Chinese life. And with its flowing canals, ancient stone bridges and relaxed café culture, you can see why Lijiang is often described as Venice of the East. Andrew explores the charming cobblestone streets and sees the market squares come alive with Naxi entertainment.

Saturday May 3
7:30pm

Tonight Ernie Dingo hosts The Great Outdoors from Western Australia, where he is embarking on the South West Drive.

He begins in Perth, with first stop Mandurah. It may be WA’s biggest regional city, but the main attraction in town is a miniature village. It’s called Abingdon and it’s modelled on the English village of the same name. Then it’s on to Bunbury, surrounded on three sides by water. Ernie checks out the local birdlife at the wetlands, before heading to Wellington National Park near Collie Dam, where you can camp and swim all year round. He then heads to Spring Hills Farmstay, where city people can experience a real slice of country life. Farmstays run all over the country, and it’s great for farmers who are struggling with the drought.

Saturday April 26
7:30pm

Tonight Tom Williams hosts an episode of THE GREAT OUTDOORS which takes you to some of the world’s most varied islands.

Ernie Dingo continues his trip on The Great Nature Trail in Tasmania, finding hungry Tassie Devils, ‘The Nut’ in Stanley and venturing to what they call ‘the edge of the world’, before coming across the dismal swamp.

Andrew Daddo discovers Corsica in France and learns some history about its most famous citizen, Napoleon Bonaparte. Seaside cliffs and grottoes, jagged sun-baked mountains, deep gorges, white-sand beaches and pristine Mediterranean landscapes are just the beginning …

Jennifer Hawkins discovers three of Melbourne’s most eco-friendly islands, from the famed penguins and race track of Phillip Island, to the lesser known koala colony on French island and the historic homestead of Churchill Island.

Saturday April 19
7:30pm

Tonight Tom Williams hosts a special Great Outdoors where we take a look at driving holidays around the world.

Ernie Dingo starts his driving adventure on the Great Nature Trail in the north west of Tasmania. He starts in the town of Penguin, and braves the rain to spot the fairy penguins that come ashore every night. Then it’s on to Burnie, where paper-making has become a fine art. Ernie then drives to Wynyard, where every spring there is tulips as far as the eye can see.