A Big Country
Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.
Radio and PodcastLive Radio & PodcastsSociety & Culture
A Big Country
The ABC's team of specialist reporters introduce you to the people and places that make up country Australia.
Episodes
20 of 22 episodesCareer change to pub owner and new priest turns heads in rural parish
Meet the pint-sized publican granny; motorcycle riding priest shares passion for social justice with rural parish; farming camels for milk a...
Turning crops into spirits and rare orchids thriving in old cemeteries
Turning red wheat and sugar beet into unique spirits, historic cemeteries offer protected habitat for rare orchids, learning from the best a...
Island community doing golf differently and blossoms turn coffee plantation white
For two days a year, coffee tree blossoms turn plantation white; golf in a stunning setting brings community together on a remote island; la...
Rare shrub thriving and moving fresh milk in kegs
Introduced bumble bees are thriving in Tasmania, researchers are tracking them to find out why; kegs replace plastic bottles to get fresh mi...
Keeping country pub open and citrus growers find market for blossoms
Farmers become publicans to keep local watering hole open; demand for citrus blossoms from distillers; citizen science platypus count; teein...
Shearing record falls and international chefs getting a taste for Australian lamb
Team take out world record in shearing marathon; international chefs learning to love Aussie lamb; promoting flowers that are grown here, ov...
Wetland welcomes new life and rangers on the frontline of fight against coastal weed
Birds and fish flock to farm, as wetland is restored; Indigenous rangers on the frontline of fight against invasive weed on remote Tasmanian...
Horses harnessed for record breaking effort and creating a living seed bank in backyard gardens
New record for old-time transport as horses harnessed to pull a heritage wagon; backyard gardeners being recruited to create a living seed b...
Cycling around Australia and little farm breeding big cattle
Pedalling hard to raise funds and awareness for dementia; cattle breeders raising Italian variety that can weigh as much as a car; field day...
A Big Country
Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.
Turning dust to daisies in the outback and conserving land for the future
Meet the outback gardeners creating colorful oases in the dusty, dry outback landscape; farmers locking up land in conservation trusts; avid...
Boxing troupe bids goodbye to Birdsville and life on a tiny tropical island
Bush boxing legend Fred Brophy bids goodbye to Birdsville; wildlife cameras giving landholders a look at creatures that call their propertie...
Retirees helping rural communities rebuild and the running of the 'gumboot gift'
Retirees picking up the tools to give back to rural communities hit by flooding; dashing through the mud in gumboots for annual community ra...
Cultural burning for rare orchid and teaching outback kids to write rock songs
How cultural burning is helping a rare species of orchid thrive; outback kids writing songs celebrating life in the bush with the help of to...
Bringing back banksia and taking on world's toughest horse race
The volunteers moving mountains to replant native Banksia seeds in fire-affected national park; couple compete in gruelling horse race throu...
Cane fires light up Queensland skies and telling the story of bilbies return to the desert
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 th...
Family friendly rodeo and outback pub reopens
New rodeo focused on community, not just competition; rookie station hands getting a taste of isolated life working with cattle in the middl...
Turning waste into tasty treats and fossicking for fossils
Chef on a crusade to tackle food waste starting with scraps from local producers; fossil fans uncovering ancient creatures in South Australi...
Keeping outback roadhouse running and winter truffle hunt
Backpacker workers keeping critical outback roadhouse running; hunting for truffles on a cold winter's day in Victoria's Strathbogie ranges;...