Wednesdays, August 1 - 15, 8pm on WKAR-HD 23.1 | Over the course of a year, journey with the people and animals of Australia's Kimberley region in North West Australia: a vast, rugged and remote wilderness, bursting with character.
From the Outback’s red-hot heart, to its spectacular and pristine coastline, a particular breed of people also inhabits this land. Outback is their story – past and present, tough and compassionate.
EPISODE 1: “The Kimberley Comes Alive” | August 1 | Watch Now
The Kimberley region in North West Australia boasts some of the most spectacular wilderness — and tough characters — in existence. As the wet season comes to an end, the humans and the creatures begin their adventures across this diverse and surprising landscape. From tiny, orphaned joeys to majestic ospreys, survival takes guts (and sometimes even the huge hearts of humans to care for them). It’s a land where humans and animals live in dangerous, and exquisite, proximity.
EPISODE 2: “The Dry Season” | August 8
It might be the dry season but there’s no rest in the Outback: There are turtle eggs to be laid, saltwater crocodiles to dodge and young birds on maiden flights. Cattle must be mustered from the far corners of vast cattle properties and, when that is done, rodeos spring into action. More quietly, archaeologists are led through remote wilderness by traditional owners, revealing breathtaking galleries of ancient rock art. Out at sea, elite athletes dive the ocean depths in the name of the world’s most spectacular pearl, risking dangerous encounters with curious giants. While mother to marsupials, Mandy Watson, sets her babies free.
EPISODE 3: “Return of the Wet” | August 15
Inland Kimberley is now so stiflingly hot, everything and everyone moves with caution — with the exception of gold diggers Honest John and Steve. The region’s remaining waterholes are packed with animals, forced dangerously close together. Windjana Gorge is a prime example – a pristine oasis where brave humans wade into crocodile-infested water in the name of science. The coast is also a place to congregate. Thousands of shorebirds arrive from the world’s longest single migration, only to be blasted with nets by crafty bird lovers. The humidity builds until the skies finally explode with thunder and rain. Nyul Nyul ranger Albert Wiggan sings a welcome to the life it brings and arrival of a new season in his ancient land.
About PBS Summer of Adventure
Outback is part of the PBS Summer of Adventure, taking viewers and their families to some of the most remarkable destinations in the U.S. and around the world. The lineup of programs includes the six-part new series No Passport Required (July 10), a culinary and cultural tour of America’s diverse communities with Chef Marcus Samuelsson, and the second season of the three-part Earth's Natural Wonders: Life at the Extremes (July 11), which journeys to parts of the natural world where human survival is pushed to the limits. Also returning are three new episodes of 10 That Changed America (July 10), the popular series that takes viewers on a road trip to discover the streets, monuments and modern marvels that changed the nation. Two new three-part series explore fascinating places: Kingdoms of the Sky I (July 11) ascends to the top of the Rockies, the Himalaya and the Andes to reveal the animals and people who call these iconic mountain ranges home, while Wonders of Mexico(August 1) explores the amazing wildlife and culture of the country, from its tropical forests to its deserts.
