Michael Portillo embarks on a rail adventure aboard the transcontinental Indian Pacific Railway, which stretches from the southern port city of Adelaide, South Australia, 1,700 miles deep into the desert, to the gold rush town of Kalgoorlie, before finishing in Perth, Western Australia.\n\nFirst, Michael explores McLaren Vale, where an enterprising early 19th century Briton with a murky past began to grow vines. Michael enjoys the fruits of his labours and hears his story from his great great great granddaughter. \n\nBoarding the mighty Indian Pacific, Michael embraces the luxury of a previous age as he travels across Australia's notoriously remote and inhospitable Nullarbor Plain. He discovers the 100-year-old history behind the ambitious line and the tremendous feat of engineering it took to deliver it. In the ghost town of Cook, Michael helps to top up the train's water and is rewarded with dinner under the stars at Rawlinna. He strikes gold in one of the most lucrative goldfields in the world and strikes it lucky in the traditional Australian gambling game of 'Two Up'.\n\nHe pays a flying visit to the doctor to hear how patients in remote Western Australia are cared for, then takes to the skies to admire Perth, one of the world's most isolated cities, and its port of Fremantle. South of the city, in Pinjarra, he uncovers a dark chapter in the histories of both Britain and Australia – a child migration programme devised at the time of Michael’s Bradshaw's Guide.\n\nBack in Perth, Michael hears how Edward VIII was caught up in a train accident near Bridgetown and is invited to an Aussie barbie.
Source: BBC 2
Series 1: 6. Newcastle To Brisbane
Michael Portillo is on the eastern coast of Australia travelling from the coal mines of Newcastle, New South Wales, to Queensland’s modern state capital, Brisbane. Along t ...
30-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 5. Kuranda To Townsville
From tropical rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef, Michael Portillo navigates his way by rail through Queensland, Australia, with the aid of his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide. \n ...
29-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 3. Adelaide To Perth: The Indian Pacific
Michael Portillo embarks on a rail adventure aboard the transcontinental Indian Pacific Railway, which stretches from the southern port city of Adelaide, South Australia, 1,700 ...
20-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 4. Canberra To Melbourne
Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael Portillo crosses the south east of Australia from the seat of government in Canberra to the multi-ethnic heart of its second ...
18-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 2. Sydney To Broken Hill
Michael Portillo explores New South Wales, steered by his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide. He strikes west into the Blue Mountains and travels 570 miles into the interior of the vas ...
16-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 1. Port Augusta To Darwin: The Ghan
Michael Portillo ventures down under to experience one of the world’s greatest rail journeys aboard the legendary Ghan Railway. His 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide tells him ' ...
15-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 10. Kuranda To Townsville – Part 2
Michael Portillo continues his rail exploration of Queensland, Australia, from the tropical rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef.\n\nIn the wonderfully preserved Art Deco town o ...
04-04-2023
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 9. Kuranda To Townsville – Part 1
From tropical rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef, Michael Portillo navigates his way by rail through Queensland, Australia with the aid of his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide.\n\n ...
28-03-2023
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 8. Canberra To Melbourne – Part 2
Michael Portillo continues his exploration of southeast Australia in Melbourne, Victoria, guided by his 1913 Bradshaw.\n\nIn the suburb of Lilydale, he discovers Coombe Cottage, ...
21-03-2023
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 7. Canberra To Melbourne – Part 1
Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael Portillo crosses the south east of Australia, from the seat of government in Canberra to the multi-ethnic heart of its second ...
14-03-2023
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 8. Canberra To Melbourne – Part 2
Michael Portillo continues his exploration of southeast Australia in Melbourne, Victoria, guided by his 1913 Bradshaw.\n\nIn the suburb of Lilydale, he discovers Coombe Cottage, ...
21-03-2023
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 1. Port Augusta To Darwin – Part 1
Michael Portillo ventures down under to ride one of the world’s greatest rail journeys aboard the legendary Ghan Railway. \n\nMichael's 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide tells ...
01-09-2022
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 3. Sydney To Broken Hill – Part 1
Michael Portillo embarks on a new rail journey down under, exploring New South Wales with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide. Beginning in the waterside metropolis of Sydney, the N ...
05-09-2022
BBC 2
Series 1: 4. Canberra To Melbourne
Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael Portillo crosses the south east of Australia from the seat of government in Canberra to the multi-ethnic heart of its second ...
18-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 6. Adelaide To Perth – Part 2
Michael Portillo continues his 1700 mile rail journey across southern Australia from Adelaide to Perth.\n\nArriving in Kalgoorlie aboard the luxurious transcontinental Indian Pa ...
07-03-2023
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 4. Sydney To Broken Hill – Part 2
Michael Portillo strikes west from the waterside metropolis of Sydney, New South Wales, into the Blue Mountains, travelling 570 miles into the interior of the vast Australian co ...
07-09-2022
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 7. Canberra To Melbourne – Part 1
Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael Portillo crosses the south east of Australia, from the seat of government in Canberra to the multi-ethnic heart of its second ...
14-03-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 3. Adelaide To Perth: The Indian Pacific
Michael Portillo embarks on a rail adventure aboard the transcontinental Indian Pacific Railway, which stretches from the southern port city of Adelaide, South Australia, 1,700 ...
20-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 6. Newcastle To Brisbane
Michael Portillo is on the eastern coast of Australia travelling from the coal mines of Newcastle, New South Wales, to Queensland’s modern state capital, Brisbane. Along t ...
30-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1 (30-minute Versions): 9. Kuranda To Townsville – Part 1
From tropical rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef, Michael Portillo navigates his way by rail through Queensland, Australia with the aid of his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide.\n\n ...
28-03-2023
BBC 2