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.