A Big Country

Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.

Meet the pint-sized publican granny; motorcycle riding priest shares passion for social justice with rural parish; farming camels for milk and meat; agriculture students get out of the laboratory to taste life on the land.

Turning red wheat and sugar beet into unique spirits, historic cemeteries offer protected habitat for rare orchids, learning from the best at bull-riding camp, country cafe building community.

For two days a year, coffee tree blossoms turn plantation white; golf in a stunning setting brings community together on a remote island; lavender grower marks 35 years of labour of love; how conservation dogs are helping with turtle conservation.

Introduced bumble bees are thriving in Tasmania, researchers are tracking them to find out why; kegs replace plastic bottles to get fresh milk from farm to cup; endangered shrub with a yellow flower showing signs of resurgence; finding the next varieties of a favourite Australian fruit.

Farmers become publicans to keep local watering hole open; demand for citrus blossoms from distillers; citizen science platypus count; teeing off for a round of backyard golf on red dirt course.

Team take out world record in shearing marathon; international chefs learning to love Aussie lamb; promoting flowers that are grown here, over those flown here; farmers transform land with tree-planting over four decades.

Birds and fish flock to farm, as wetland is restored; Indigenous rangers on the frontline of fight against invasive weed on remote Tasmanian island; farming region's community spirit staying strong in the face of shrinking population; couple pursuing passion for cumquats in 'anti-retirement.'

New record for old-time transport as horses harnessed to pull a heritage wagon; backyard gardeners being recruited to create a living seed bank of Tasmanian Alpine plants; life of a young ringer on the world's largest pastoral station; how challenging the conventions of dairy farming led a family business to cheese making success.

Pedalling hard to raise funds and awareness for dementia; cattle breeders raising Italian variety that can weigh as much as a car; field days celebrate centenary of Caterpillar tractors and scientist awarded peace prize for work in international agriculture.

Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.

Meet the outback gardeners creating colorful oases in the dusty, dry outback landscape; farmers locking up land in conservation trusts; avid spearfisher breaking record after comeback from cancer; three generations of one family sharing love of horses on the polo-cross pitch.

Bush boxing legend Fred Brophy bids goodbye to Birdsville; wildlife cameras giving landholders a look at creatures that call their properties home; lighthouse caretakers reflect on life on tiny, tropical island; hairdresser a hero for remote outback residents.

Retirees picking up the tools to give back to rural communities hit by flooding; dashing through the mud in gumboots for annual community race; reflecting on career change to flower farmer; next generation of butchers keeping traditional business running. 

How cultural burning is helping a rare species of orchid thrive; outback kids writing songs celebrating life in the bush with the help of touring rock band; expanding the growing season for flavoursome fungi.

The volunteers moving mountains to replant native Banksia seeds in fire-affected national park; couple compete in gruelling horse race through Mongolia; strawberry grower reflects on journey from refugee; hatmaker reveals what's involved in restoring a classic Aussie hat.

Reviving an old tradition as cane fires light up Queensland skies; working as a livestock auctioneer a dream come true for Ryan who is on the autism spectrum; outback kids take to the stage to tell local bilby story; months after devastating flooding, communities picking up the pieces in western Queensland.

New rodeo focused on community, not just competition; rookie station hands getting a taste of isolated life working with cattle in the middle of the country; outback pub reopens after six decades; nurseryman cultivating a colourful perennial and bringing it back into public eye.

Chef on a crusade to tackle food waste starting with scraps from local producers; fossil fans uncovering ancient creatures in South Australia's Flinders Ranges; after three months and 770 kilometres epic charity droving trek reaches its destination; thrilling horse race delights fans at outback track.

Backpacker workers keeping critical outback roadhouse running; hunting for truffles on a cold winter's day in Victoria's Strathbogie ranges; beekeepers making creamed honey; fruit farmers become sunflower farmers with fields that spark joy.

Old cane train line becomes cycling trail; helping endangered fish with new hollow log river homes; farmer shares story of surviving fire and living with burns; prospecting proving a popular hobby as gold price hits record highs.

Quick shear competition shining a light on rural mental health; couple's journey from the Pilbara to Tassie to take on farming; young people trudging through mud and mangroves to give turtles a better chance of survival; the story behind colourful headresses on display at Indigenous art fair.