Sound recordist John Peterson, host Heather Ewart, producer Damian Estall and cameraman Aaron Kelly at Ms Ewart’s final film shoot in Murchison.
“When I’ve looked back, I thought, oh my God, did I really do those things?”
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She’s been plonked down in an underground cave beneath the Nullabor, hunted buffalo in the Northern Territory, and left viewers’ eyes popping when she jumped off a bridge in Brunswick Heads.
Now, the host of ABC’s Back Roads, Heather Ewart, is preparing for her next big adventure: retirement.
After a decade leading the trailblazing program and a 50-year career at the ABC, Ms Ewart’s final episode as host will air on Thursday, July 31.
“I thought, the 10th anniversary of the show, which I started, is a good way to go out on a high,” she said.
“The final film shoot was in my home town of Murchison, and we had a big party at my cousin’s farm in late February.
“I’ll always be very fond of the area and feel very part of it — that’s not going to change.”
Heather Ewart with her childhood friend James Stewart from Tatura.
Back Roads premiered in 2015 with the pioneering journalist at the helm, alongside a crew that became like family.
Together, they travelled to remote towns and regions to highlight the spark of Australia’s most inspiring communities, while setting alight stereotypes associated with its people.
“I cared passionately about giving country people a voice,” Ms Ewart said.
“That’s really what Back Roads was all about — to show how resilient people in the country can be and the really extraordinary things they were doing, and it showed viewers that it’s worth having a crack at things that you’ve never tried before.
“Ten years later, I would never have thought we’d still be going because it was a fight to get the show up.
“It wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it, and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved.”
What’s next for Ms Ewart?
A “personal swan song”, where she will road trip across the country to catch up with and thank the many guests featured on the show.
Thereafter?
She is looking forward, not back, to new and unknown horizons.
Ms Ewart wished to thank everyone for their loyalty and support over the years, which helped make Back Roads one of the highest-rated television shows in Australia.
To those raised in rural areas like her, Ms Ewart had a special message.
“Always be proud of growing up in the country because it holds you in such great stead in life, and keep at it, keep on doing interesting things,” she said.
Heather Ewart’s final episode as host of Back Roads airs on Thursday, July 31 at 8pm on ABC TV.
Viewers can stream all episodes now on ABC iview.
Heather Ewart celebrated her last episode of Back Roads with a party at Boundary Park near Murchison.
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