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Documentary
Stephen Tompkinson's adventure begins in dramatic fashion when his maiden flight over South Australia's Flinders Ranges ends in a crash landing at 40 mph. But he presses on to the Barossa Valley, where a serene flight over the vineyards is followed by a far from calm cricket…
Having previously journeyed across Africa in a hot-air balloon, the actor now explores the diverse landscape and wildlife of Australia and takes part in the country's largest balloon competition, the Canowindra Challenge. The trip kicks off in dramatic fashion when Stephen's maiden flight over South Australia's Flinders Ranges ends in a crash-landing. Undeterred, he and pilot Robin Bachelor press on to the Barossa Valley, where they learn wine-making techniques, before completing a flight over the River Murray.
The actor's bid to win Australia's largest balloon competition, the Canowindra Challenge, continues in Melbourne, where he fulfils a childhood dream by walking on to the pitch of the Melbourne Cricket Ground during an Aussie Rules game - and flying through the goalposts the next morning. An invitation to join in the city's Greek festival nearly ends in a diplomatic incident, and heavy rain then prevents Stephen flying over Canberra, forcing him to adopt desperate measures to get his training back on track.
The actor takes part in a mock balloon competition, then heads for Sydney, where he helps judge a drag contest and explores the city's cosmopolitan cuisine. He receives backing from Britain's High Commissioner Valerie Amos in her office overlooking the harbour - and hears a surprising confession from his co-pilot Robin - before heading 200 miles west to take on Australia's best balloon pilots in the skies above Canowindra. Last in the series.
Himself - Presenter
Tells the inside story of the challenges the Lebanese Australian community has faced in Australia and how they have fought to overcome them. This landmark documentary series hears from community leaders, police, families and individuals, as they combine to tell the compelling and dramatic story of a proud and resilient community, under intense pressure and scrutiny. The story begins in the 1970s when large numbers of Lebanese migrants flooded into Australia. Many were Muslim, most were traumatised by civil war, all were desperate to build a better future. Over the coming decades, these new Australians struggled to establish a new life in their adopted country.
History is taking to the seas and walking in the footsteps of Captain James Cook. 250 years after Cook began his epic exploration of the Pacific, Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, The Piano) journeys in his wake uncovering stories that resonate from those times on both sides of the beach. Sam begins with a disclaimer – he is merely an actor – but the story of Cook, and the impact he has had on the Pacific in the 250 years since his first voyage, has always fascinated him.
The Earth’s continents are instantly recognizable. These iconic landmasses seem permanent and unchanging, yet they are merely the wreckage of a much larger long-lost supercontinent – Pangaea. In this stunning four part series Professor Iain Stewart uncovers the evidence for this ancient past. He reveals how the world around us is full of clues – in the rocks, the landscapes and even the animals. All of which tell us how the land we live on was created.
Australian Families of Crime is an Australian documentary television series that is shown on the Nine Network and hosted by actor Vince Colosimo. Families of Crime gives an insight into some of Australia's most infamous 'Crime Families' who wielded power, fear and destruction through the community. Through interviews with family members, associates, victims and police investigators, their stories expose how some of Australia's worst criminal families operated their web of violence and corruption.
