Back Roads

A road trip around Australia, discovering towns and communities outside the mainstream - and the colourful inhabitants whose grit and humour will uplift and inspire you.

Discover the resilient and inspiring people who live outside big Australian cities - and indeed off the beaten track altogether. Defined by their strength and humility, these are characters whose grit and good humour will uplift and inspire. Based on the successful series hosted by Heather Ewart, Back Roads dives deeper to learn more about these wonderful communities and deliver fresh and compelling stories. 'They're proud communities like my hometown, full of surprises, fight and spirit', says Heather. Take, for example, Joan Sinclair, 83, horse & cattlewoman and outback legend, who featured in the first episode of the current season. The video of this feisty woman went viral on Facebook and has clocked up 1.3 million views.

The show featured a wealth of characters and places, and the book will take you further into their lives. From strong women like Joan Sinclair, Heather Jones of the company Heavy Haulage Girls, and Dianne Reeves, transgender former dairy farmer, shearer and truck driver, to historic places - such as Pine Creek, built on the sweat of Chinese workers, and Maralinga, the only place in the world that you can stand on the site of an atomic bomb test - Back Roads will transport you from the city doorstep and show you what lies beyond in this land of surprise and resilience.

About the Authors

Heather Ewart is a much loved, award-winning journalist and the popular host of Back Roads.
Before joining Back Roads in 2015 as a writer and researcher, Karen Michelmore was a researcher and producer at 4 Corners.