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 largest city, Melbourne, in the state of Victoria.\n\nFloating above Canberra in a hot air balloon, Michael sees how Australia’s 'Bush Capital' was planned in the early 20th century and tours the nation’s parliament. He takes the high speed train nearly 300 miles south west, to arrive in Melbourne at the head of Port Philip Bay on Australia’s south eastern coast. It is said that the city has more restaurants and cafes per head than anywhere else in the world, and it boasts a fine 140-year-old market. 5 million people live in the city today, and they come from all over the world. Michael traces the history of immigration to Australia.\n\nAt the hallowed Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Melbourne suburb of Jolimont, Michael discovers the story behind the Ashes and hears how cricket unified the nation, before bravely cheering for England in the last Twenty20 game of the season.
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): 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: 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): 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): 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): 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): 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): 2. Port Augusta To Darwin – Part 2
Michael Portillo continues to trace the route of one of the world’s greatest rail journeys – the legendary Ghan Railway. Before boarding the luxurious, modern transc ...
02-09-2022
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: 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: 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