R.M.Williams OUTBACK

The Great Artesian Basin is one of the largest groundwater reservoirs in the world, sustaining life wherever its ancient waters come to the surface. Mandy McKeesick takes a deep dive into this fascinating resource in the wake of threats to its future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Birdsville Track veteran John Dunn unearths the story of the little-known first mailman on this challenging desert route. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step brothers David Freedman and Richard Steele hadn’t seen each other for more than 50 years due to a family estrangement. However, when artist David needed a fellow bird enthusiast to write the text to go with his beautiful illustrations for Australia’s Birds in Watercolour , Richard was just the man. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Eblen is known across the South Australian outback as a house painter, a cook, a storyteller and an RFDS fundraiser. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian agtech is ushering in a new era for the way we farm. There are now over 500 agritech companies now in Australia, with the industry entering a critical period when the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) is being realised. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ecologist Katherine Moseby has spent her career working to solve one of Australia’s most complex environmental challenges – feral animals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OUT BACK’s art director Peter Pap recently captured the Akubra workshop in action to mark its 50th year in Kempsey, NSW. He says that on entering the corrugated-iron building, the nearly 150-year history of this Aussie icon was apparent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gone are the days of libraries being stuffy, silent book repositories. Today’s libraries, especially in rural and regional Australia, are vibrant community hubs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conventional farming is not in Nan Bray’s lexicon. Instead, the Tasmanian scientist-turned sheep farmer uses a range of sustainable and ethical practices that led to her wool being snapped up by a high-end New York fashion label. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eileen Breen is at the forefront of efforts to create more sustainable Northern Territory businesses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Coombe’s experience around cattle and horses infuses a relatable authenticity to his paintings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the architecture of the Limestone Coast of South Australia to the life of a great adventurer and a surprising trip to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, editor in chief Mark Muller shares his recent preoccupations with an eloquent behind-the-scenes conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re looking for that extra ‘wow’ factor for your next holiday, look no further. Author of Ultimate Adventures Australia, Andrew Bain, shares the many amazing adventures he covered, from wildlife encounters, hikes and kayaking, to heli-mountain biking and a sleepover you can do while suspended off the side of a mountain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the front hoof: Merchandise and a social media presence are keeping the slightly madcap Deshon Goat Depot afloat in a challenging market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the salt of the coast to sands of the desert, via the breezy tropics and the tempestuous grasslands, the architecture of our nation is as much a function of the landscape, as an attempt to live in it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past 30 years, Launceston-based Lenah Game Meats – represented by John and Katrina Kelly – has been at the forefront of the wallaby industry, pioneering the meat for human consumption in Tasmania. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iconic Wave Hill station in the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory is now under the care of only its fourth owner in 140 years. At the heart of Wave Hill’s 1.25 million hectares are the people living and working there under the MacLachlan Pastoral Group banner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although it’s faced some negative publicity in recent years, the Red Centre is as vibrant as ever. From the area’s cattle industry to the world’s biggest permanent drone show, this is OUTBACK’s love letter to the heart of the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson has spent her career building connections and helping create safe places, particularly for women victims of domestic violence, in the remote Northern Territory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of touring the country with their funny, acrobatic show, the Crackup Sisters have found a home for their energetic act in Winton, Qld. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journey among the well-managed pastures and landscape of the Kimberley’s Jubilee Downs cattle station, a testament to decades of careful stewardship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can electric tractors, 4WDs and harvesters work in the bush? Bruce McMahon looks at the energy options for agriculture as Australia decarbonises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queensland dairy farmer Ross Blanch once wandered his paddocks talking to a herd of cows. Today he’s still out there on the family farm, yet more often Ross is on his mobile phone talking to troubled farmers as Farmer to Lifeline Farmer counsellor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Against a backdrop of climate change, biodiversity loss and land care challenges, Kim V. Goldsmith makes soundscapes featuring everything from worms to people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One is an orchardist pursuing robotics and other innovations, the other a mushroom forager and boutique producer but these two Victorians have more in common than being recognised at the 2023 Farmer of the Year awards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.