“Alone Australia” has unveiled the 10 survivalists who will compete in the first local iteration of the show.
The competitive documentary series has run in the U.S., Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and is already the most successful factual franchise in the history of SBS On Demand, with more than 10 million hours streamed.
“Alone Australia” will drop contestants in the Tasmanian wilderness, where they will have to battle nature, hunger and loneliness. There are no camera crews, no help from production and no indication as to whether the other contestants are still in the game.
The last one standing will win $250,000.
SBS said the show was “the ultimate test of human will”.
“Alone Australia” is an ITV Studios Australia production for SBS.
The contestants for “Alone Australia” Season 1 are outlined below.
Beck (42), school teacher, Victoria
“I’m resourceful, I’m a problem solver, I’m bloody stubborn, but I’m not a survival expert. I’ve grown up camping and fishing and been out on Country, I’ve learned from my Elders and friends who are great outdoors people… though I’ve never been away from my partner; I’m ready to test myself.”
Chris (39), army veteran, Tasmania
“Whether it’s diving in the ocean, camping, or exploring the land, all I know is that a life lived outside in the elements is where we as humans belong. It’s the only way for healthy minds. That’s where I live.”
Duane (35), wildlife and environment officer, New South Wales
“I know my Ancestors were out there for thousands of years, but they had family and clans. This is a whole new way of being on Country, just me by myself, so I’m looking forward to that challenge within this experience.”
Gina (52), rewilding facilitator, New South Wales
“I’ve spent my whole life learning how to be in the wild and be a part of nature rather than apart from nature. A challenge like this, to go out into the wild, full survival, is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid… I can’t think of anything I want to do more.”
Jimmy (22), farmhand and engineering student, South Australia
“I’ve spent most of my life being outdoors and learning what I can from nature and seeing how far I can go just on my own without having to rely on others… Ever since I saw the very first episode of the first U.S. “Alone” series, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.”
Kate (41), wildlife biologist, Australian Capital Territory
“I’ve learned to think how animals think and understand their behaviour. I can identify species from tracks, traces and their calls. I’m not going to be in a rush to kill our native species as I’ve worked so hard to protect them, but I’m keen to take a shovel so I can target the unseen food, right under our feet; tubers, roots and other edibles.”
Michael (42), vet and bush regenerator, New South Wales
“My favourite thing is to do what someone else says can’t be done. Necessity is the mother of inventions and few things we choose to do are actually impossible.”
Mike (45), solo adventurist, New South Wales
“I’ve grown up spending a lot of time out in the bush doing a lot of solo survival. It really is my passion. My experience from my last adventure is that you really do get in tune with the landscape, so to have the opportunity to stay in the one spot for a long time and just really tune into it… that will be amazing.”
Peter (31), hunting guide, New South Wales
“I’m adaptive, I’m inventive, I’m very strong-minded – in my line of work you need to be. I have people from all around the world come hunting with me here in Australia. Everything I’ve learned from all over the years of survival skills, hunting skills, fire, water, trapping, skinning, the whole lot; this is the one, ultimate place for me to put all my skills to the test.”
Rob (41), planning and environmental manager, Victoria
“Depending on whose Country I’m on will determine how well I survive. There will be places in Australia that I’m more comfortable with than others in terms of knowing what to look for and how to thrive.”