All language subtitles for A.A.S01E01.2160p.WEB.h265-EDITH_track3_[eng]

MAN ON PA: Welcome everybody
to this year's

spectacular Bondi
Surf Festival.

Conditions look
wonderful today...

NARRATOR: It's early morning
on Bondi Beach,

Australia's most famous
stretch of sand.

Elite surf athletes
have gathered here

from across the nation
to compete

in a gruelling
ocean challenge.

Surf competitions like this

are a true celebration
of Aussie culture.

And with some serious
prize money up for grabs,

[shot fires]

everyone's out to win.

♪ ♪

As the weather closes in,
the surf is starting to build.

These athletes must battle
the deteriorating conditions

across a range of surf events

in the hope of being crowned
overall champion.

Some decide to risk it all
in their pursuit of glory.

And end up losing ground.

As they race back to the beach,

the athletes must harness
the power of the ocean

to gain an edge
on their opponents.

The winner arrives exhausted,

bragging rights assured
for another year.

To many,
the beach and the ocean

have come to symbolize
the Australian way of life.

And it's along the east coast

that some of the country's
most famous sites can be found.

Cities that contain
architectural masterpieces

and natural wonders that can
be found nowhere else on earth.

Iconic and incredible,

this is Australia's
Pacific coast.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

The view of Sydney Harbour
has to be one

of the most instantly
recognizable in the world.

This picture postcard vista

is the gateway
to a vibrant metropolis

of over five million people.

Sydney is situated in the east
of New South Wales,

Australia's most populous state,

facing out into
the Pacific Ocean.

It's famed
for its beachside living

and ground-breaking
architecture.

But beneath the surface
it's steeped in hidden history.

♪ ♪

Prior to colonization,

around 29 Aboriginal clans

who held a deep
connection to the land

hunted and fished
along these shores.

But in 1788, this ancient
way of life changed forever

when 11 ships
arrived from Britain.

[didgeridoo playing]

It's known as the First Fleet.

On board were around
1,400 people,

including over 750 convicts.

They were put to work
establishing

the continent's first
permanent European colony.

At this very spot.

They were under the command
of Captain Arthur Philip,

who ordered the traditional
land of the Gadigal people

to be cleared
to create a farm

and they attempted to grow grain
to feed the growing colony.

This farmland later became home
to the Royal Botanic Garden,

the oldest scientific
institution in the country.

And today contains
hundreds of varieties

of native and overseas plants.

But in recent years,

the institution
has been reckoning

with its own colonial history.

Many Australian plants were
renamed by European botanists,

so the First Nations names,

which are embedded
with rich cultural knowledge,

are today being restored.

As more and more Europeans
arrived on the continent,

they didn't just introduce
new species of plants,

they brought with them one of
humanity's most deadly diseases,

smallpox.

With no immunity,

it ripped through
the Indigenous communities.

Up to 70% died.

Some have argued
that the smallpox outbreak

was a deliberate act.

It wasn't until the 1830s

that newly arrived
passengers and crew

were forced
to go into quarantine

before setting foot
on the mainland.

Here on Quarantine Station,

five miles from the harbor.

On arrival,
people found to be afflicted

by disease were separated out.

They were sent
to the sick ground

high above the beach,

where it was believed the fresh
sea breezes

would blow away
the poisonous vapor.

It also provided people

with a tantalizing glimpse
of their destination.

A place not all would reach.

In recent times,
buildings from this era

have been transformed
into a luxury resort.

Accommodation blocks, which
once housed hundreds of people,

now contain opulent suites.

And the original boiler house

has been transformed
into a restaurant

offering fine dining,

a far cry from the shocking
conditions experienced

by those early pioneers.

♪ ♪

By the 1900s,
Sydney was expanding fast.

Another settlement
was established

on the south side
of the harbor

and a bridge was needed
to get between the two.

In 1924, construction

of Sydney's iconic
Harbour Bridge began.

But at the time, building
an arch bridge made of steel

was a huge
engineering challenge.

The deep water of
Sydney's harbor,

while perfect for shipping,

meant temporary
supports were impractical.

Instead, the arches
had to be assembled

by building out from land.

Construction took eight years
and involved over 1,600 workers,

16 of whom lost their lives.

In 1930, the two sides
finally met in the middle.

♪ ♪

It was considered
a marvel of engineering

and signified a new progressive
urban identity for Australia.

Today, it's possible to gain
a bird's eye view

of Sydney's iconic harbor
from the top of what is still

the tallest steel arched
bridge in the world.

Over four million people

have climbed
the 1332 steps to the summit

and more than 5,000 couples
have got engaged on it.

And since 2022,
the Aboriginal flag

has flown proudly
alongside the Australian flag

to acknowledge the country's
rich Indigenous history.

Almost a quarter
of a million people

cross the bridge each day
by road, rail and foot.

But boats are still a way of
life for Sydneysiders

and a trip to Sydney
wouldn't be complete

without taking to the water.

Sydney Ferries was once

the largest ferry operator
in the world.

And each year over
15 million journeys

are made on a fleet
of over 30 vessels.

Each of the many routes
around the bays and islands

showcase a different
part of the city.

Many of the ferries end
their journey at Circular Quay,

right in the heart
of the financial district,

Passing by another
architectural masterpiece,

the Sydney Opera House.

♪ ♪

This magnificent building,

instantly recognizable
by people the world over,

could have looked
very different.

The design was chosen
from over 200 entries

in an international competition.

The surprise winner

was a 38-year old Dane
called Joørn Utzon,

unknown in
the architectural world.

The brief was to build
a leading musical facility

which was to sit
in one of the most prominent

locations in the city.

It should aspire to bring
recognition to Sydney

as a world cultural capital.

Utzon's design fitted
the bill perfectly.

It was both original
and controversial.

Rejecting the modernist
block design

which was in vogue
at the time,

and opting for something

far more sculptural
and expressionist.

The jewel in the crown

is a series of interlocking
concrete shells

which form a sail-like roof

that appears to float
above the harbor.

However,
such a complex design

was not easy to construct

and it took 14 years
to complete.

♪ ♪

It was officially opened
by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973.

Today it's home to
the Sydney Symphony Orchestra,

But has also hosted a variety
of top international acts,

from Patti Smith to Bob Dylan.

In 2007, it was designated
a UNESCO World Heritage Site

for being a masterpiece
of human creative genius.

♪ ♪

However, there's far more to
Sydney than its iconic harbor.

Just inland can be found
a modern-day adventure

in a landscape straight
out of "Jurassic Park."

It's sunrise
over the Pacific Ocean.

As the city starts to wake,

Sydney's coastal paths
fill with people

taking in the fresh sea air.

These cliff top trails

pass some of the most exclusive
properties in the city,

giving a tantalizing glimpse

of how some of Sydney's
wealthiest live.

But for those who don't have
the luxury of a private pool,

there is an alternative.

Ocean pools
first became popular

in the late 19th century.

When people were afraid
to enter the surf

due to a lack
of swimming skills.

And today they are
enjoying a renaissance.

There are over 100 pools
in New South Wales,

all filled with water

straight from
the Pacific Ocean.

And each one
has its own unique design.

Some make clever use of natural
formations in the rocks,

while others extend right
out into the ocean.

The most famous of all

is Icebergs,
which overlooks Bondi Beach.

It was founded by a group
of lifeguards back in 1929

and is the oldest
swimming club in Australia.

It's also believed

to be the most photographed
swimming pool in the world.

Flying back up the coast,

there's one iconic building

which stands proud
in the skyline...

Macquarie Lighthouse.

A lighthouse has operated
on this spot since 1818,

but the current structure
was built in the aftermath

of the city's
worst maritime disaster.

In 1857,
a ship called the Dunbar

was sailing to Sydney
from England.

After 81 days at sea,

it approached Sydney's
harbor at night

in gale force winds.

It struck the cliffs
at this spot,

with the loss
of 121 lives.

There was only one survivor

who managed to cling
to the rocks until dawn.

When the new lighthouse
was completed in 1883,

its gas-generated electric light

was the most powerful
navigational beacon in the world

and helped ships safely navigate
this treacherous headland.

The Macquarie Lighthouse
is still used today,

although it is now
fully automated.

The last lighthouse
keeper left in 1989.

Sydney may be known
for its beaches

and stunning coastal living,

but just 50 miles inland,
it's a different world.

These are the Blue Mountains.

This rugged landscape
of hidden valleys,

sheer cliffs and deep canyons

is covered in rich
forests of eucalyptus.

It's the oil from these trees

which gives the mountains
their distinctive blue haze.

When Europeans first
discovered this region,

they considered it impenetrable.

Yet for tens
of thousands of years,

it's been home
to six Aboriginal clans.

It was once a hunting ground
and place for ceremony,

and they navigated through it

on a network of ancient paths.

Features in the landscape
are steeped in meaning.

This rock formation is known
as the Three Sisters.

According to one dreaming story,

three sisters fell in love
with three brothers

from a neighboring tribe,

but tribal law forbade them
from getting married.

The brothers decided
to capture the sisters,

but they were turned into stone
by an elder to protect them.

When the elder was killed
in the fighting,

no one could reverse the spell.

This story,
which has been passed down

through the generations,

symbolizes the importance
of family bonds, tribal law

and the connection between
Aboriginal people and the land.

One of the most remarkable
geological features

of the Blue Mountains is
the abundance of slot canyons.

And today, the very thing

which defeated
the first Europeans

is providing a playground for
those with a sense of adventure.

Canyoning involves navigating
down fast-flowing streams

by swimming,
jumping and abseiling.

Passing by some of the oldest
plant species on earth,

this is a modern day adventure

in a landscape straight out
of "Jurassic Park."

[tribal music playing]

If high octane sport
isn't your thing,

there is an alternative.

This is the Hydro Majestic.

When it opened in 1904,

it was Australia's
first-ever health retreat.

And quickly became famous
for lavish parties

and extravagant feasts.

It was the brainchild of wild
child entrepreneur, Mark Foy.

He wanted a palace
in the wilderness

where he could entertain
high profile guests.

Foy built luxury accommodation,
extensive gardens,

a huge ballroom and
even a gallery displaying

artworks from across the world.

The hotel was way ahead
of its time

and even had electricity

and a working telephone

four days before
metropolitan Sydney.

As for the guests,

they were chauffeured in
from the city

in a fleet of vehicles.

Then, it was time to party.

The days of raucous revelry
may be long gone,

but it's still possible
to stay here

and soak up the history of this
remarkable hotel

overlooking
the spectacular landscape

which defines this region.

[upbeat jazz music playing]

Flying further south,

the terrain reaches
new heights

in Kosciuszko National Park.

Here, wild horses roam the land.

But their numbers are
growing out of control,

leading the park to introduce
a very controversial practice.

♪ ♪

100 years after the arrival
of the First Fleet,

Australia was still a collection
of British colonies,

each with its own government.

Then, in 1901, the colonies
united in federation

and Australia became a nation.

A new seat
of government was needed,

but the two major cities,
Melbourne in Victoria

and Sydney in New South Wales,

couldn't agree on which
should hold the honor.

So instead, a new capital city

was built from scratch
between the two.

It was called Canberra.

The city was designed
by American architects

Marion Mahoney
and Walter Griffin.

Their plan was
to align wide streets

with topographical landmarks.

And nearly half the city

was dedicated to parks
and green spaces.

Grand buildings were integrated
into the natural environment,

which explains why the roof
of Parliament House

is covered with grass.

It also symbolizes
that the government

is never above the people.

Australia now had
a federal government,

but it was still part
of the British Commonwealth

and before long,
this fledgling nation

got embroiled in a conflict
on the other side of the world.

World War I.

The National War Memorial

was built to ensure
the soldiers who died

during this and subsequent
conflicts are never forgotten.

It was constructed with
a clear line of sight

to Parliament House,
signifying its importance.

The memorial building contains
the names of over 103,000 people

who have died
serving their country.

The centerpiece
is the Hall of Memory.

Under this mosaic-clad dome is
the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

At the head is the inscription
"Known unto God."

To truly appreciate
the design genius of Canberra,

there's no better way
than to take to the skies.

The Canberra
Balloon Spectacular

is an annual festival
for hot air balloonists

from around the world.

Launching from the gardens
of Old Parliament House,

the balloons fill the sky with
a sea of color and movement.

Stealing the limelight
this year

is a balloon called Lucy,

piloted by Canadian balloonist
Jacob Vaillancourt.

He flew it in celebration
of International Women's Day.

From the air, it's possible
to gain glimpses of the hills

surrounding the city,

and hidden behind them
lies a very special facility.

This is the Canberra Deep
Space Communication Complex,

part of NASA's Jet
Propulsion Laboratory.

It was built to support
exploration of the solar system

and the hills shielded

from radio interference
from the city,

It opened in 1965,

just in time for
the Apollo moon landings,

where it helped communicate
with the command module.

And today it's still
going strong.

In combination
with sister stations

in California and Spain,

it provides
around the clock contact

with more than 30 spacecraft.

Flying south into the farthest
reaches of New South Wales,

the landscape
gets more mountainous.

This is Kosciuszko
National Park.

It contains Australia's
highest peak, Mount Kosciusko.

The first European to climb it

was Polish explorer
Edmund Strzelecki in 1840,

who named it after
his fellow countrymen

who made his name
at the Battle of Saratoga

in the American
Revolutionary War.

The park is home
to unique flora,

including
the rare snow gum tree

and also an iconic Australian
animal, the kangaroo.

However, since colonization,

one more animal
has made this land home.

The brumby, or feral horse.

The lineage of brumbies
can be traced back,

in some cases
to the First Fleet.

They are the descendants
of workhorses

which were let loose or escaped.

And similar to the Mustang
of the western United States,

their numbers exploded.

Today, it's estimated
there are around 400,000

brumbies roaming wild
right across Australia.

To many, the brumby epitomizes
the Australian spirit of freedom

and are to be valued

as part of the country's social
history and cultural heritage.

But to others,
brumbies are a pest,

causing extensive damage
to delicate ecosystems.

In 2024, Kosciuszko
National Park

began a policy of culling

to help reduce their numbers

and keep the ecosystem
in balance.

Back on the Pacific Coast,
more adventure awaits.

But driving here
can be treacherous

with an official highway
that disappears with the tide.

♪ ♪

This is Cape Byron Lighthouse.

Every day, it's the first place
on continental Australia

to see the sunrise.

The lighthouse overlooks
the small town of Byron Bay.

It was once a hub
for the export of timber.

But in the second half
of the 20th century,

forestry made way
for a new industry.

Tourism.

Since the 1960s,
free-spirited travellers

have come here seeking
an alternative way of life,

attracted by the laid back vibes

and the world class breaks.

♪ ♪

Today, the town is well
and truly on the map.

It's become a mecca for high
end wellness retreats

and also a sanctuary
for A-list celebs

hoping to escape the limelight,

including Chris Hemsworth
and Matt Damon.

Byron Bay is in the far north
of New South Wales,

just 35 miles from the border
with the state of Queensland.

Known as the Sunshine State,

Queensland contains
some of Australia's

most extraordinary
natural wonders.

And one of the best places
in the country to party.

♪ ♪

This is the Gold Coast.

Tourism took off here
during World War II,

when American G.I.s came here
for some well-earned R&R,

attracted by the sun,
surf and sand.

And since then,
it's been expanding upwards.

The Centrepoint is a building

which put the Gold Coast
firmly on the map.

The Q1.

When it was completed in 2005,

it was the tallest residential
building in the world.

To this day, it remains the
tallest building in Australia.

♪ ♪

However, there's far more to
the Gold Coast than a high rise.

From above, it's possible to see
the city's extensive waterways.

There are around 250 miles
of canals here,

even more than Venice.

Waterfront properties
combined with a warm climate

and a lively
entertainment scene

just a short boat ride away,

it's no wonder
that the Gold Coast

is one of Australia's
fastest-growing cities.

♪ ♪

In Queensland, picture
postcard tropical islands

are never far away.

And a popular trip for those
wanting to escape the crowds

is the short boat ride
to the island of Mulgumpin.

Mulgumpin means
"place of sandhills"

in the language
of the Quandamooka,

the traditional custodians
of the land and sea here.

It looks idyllic, but the island
has a dark history,

because this was once the site
of the largest whaling station

in the southern hemisphere.

Little remains of this time,

but nestled amongst the
buildings of the modern resort

is the original flensing deck.

This is where whales
were taken to be processed

and the blubber
separated from the meat.

Whaling began here in 1952

and it was a lucrative business.

A single humpback whale yielded
around 30 barrels of oil,

a valuable resource used to make
glycerin and pharmaceuticals.

For the first few years,
it was rich pickings.

Then the number
of whales began to fall.

After ten years, the population
had been decimated

and the whaling station
was forced to close.

Today,
it's a very different story.

Whale numbers have recovered,

and between June and October,

the humpbacks pass by Mulgumpin
in their thousands on their way

to the warmer waters
of Queensland to give birth.

And this is the only place
on their migration route

where the whales stop
to socialize.

Instead of whaling boats,
tours now operate here,

bringing in more money than
the whaling industry ever did.

And quite often,
the whales put on a show.

What's more, 15 ships,

including one of the original
whaling boats,

have been sunk to create
an artificial reef.

They are called
the Tangalooma wrecks.

The name Tangalooma
means "where fish gather"

in the language
of the Quandamooka.

Coral has formed in
and around the wrecks,

creating a haven
for dolphins, turtles,

wobbegongs and over
200 species of fish.

It's created one of
the best spots to snorkel

in the whole of Australia.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Further north,
the landscape changes yet again.

This is K'gari,

the largest sand island
in the world.

K'gari means "paradise"

in the language
of the Butchulla people,

And it's easy to see why.

Lush rainforests
meet lakes, sand dunes

and miles of pristine beaches.

It's an area rich
in biodiversity

and is home to another
iconic Australian animal.

The dingo.

Dingoes were introduced
to Australia

4,000 years ago
from Southeast Asia.

They have since spread
all over the continent.

But the dingoes in K'gari

are believed to be
the purest strain in the world.

On K'gari, this apex
predator eats rodents,

reptiles and berries,

but also the remains of marine
animals washed up on shore.

They have adapted to
this incredible landscape

and are today an important
part of the ecosystem.

♪ ♪

For those seeking an
unforgettable 4x4 adventure,

K'gari can be accessed
by ferry.

This may look like
a regular beach,

but it's also
an official highway

and normal road rules apply.

However, drivers beware,
because at high tide,

the beach can become
submerged by the Pacific Ocean,

Surely one
of the most remarkable

coastal drives in the world.

Approximately 50% of
Queensland is in the tropics.

It's home to the world's
oldest rainforest.

But in recent decades,

it's come under threat
from human activity.

Now scientists
are starting to fight back.

♪ ♪

Half of the state of Queensland

in northeast Australia
is in the tropics.

Here, the climate
is hot and humid,

Providing the ideal conditions
to grow one particular crop,

sugarcane.

Sugarcane production began
back in the 19th century,

when the Queensland government,
desperate for income,

encouraged European farmers
to cultivate the land.

It was tough,
back-breaking work.

Many farmers quickly
turned to a cheap source

of labor from elsewhere.

The islands
of the South Pacific.

From 1847, over 60,000
South Sea Islanders

were tricked
into coming to Australia

in a practice known
as "blackbirding."

They were forced to work
on the plantations

for a fraction
of the standard wage.

Many never returned home.

The practice died out
after 1901,

when it was finally
made illegal,

nearly 40 years after slavery

had been abolished
in the United States.

Northern Queensland is by far
the wettest place in Australia.

It provides ideal growing
conditions for sugarcane,

but also means the rivers here

can quickly turn
into raging torrents.

And that's created
an opportunity

to take part in a sport
worthy of the X-Games.

Whitewater rafting.

This world-class course

passes through
the Tully Gorge National Park,

a spectacular landscape
of giant basalt columns

which rise up
into tropical rainforest.

Over 83 miles, there
are 45 rapids with names

such as the Alarm Clock,

the Corkscrew and
the Disappearing Falls.

Many require highly technical
and precise maneuvers,

a challenge for even the most
experienced of helmsmen.

In fact, the rafting here
is considered so good

that the Tully River was
chosen to host

the 2019 World
Rafting Championships.

Water has created
incredible ecosystems

right across
tropical Queensland.

But flying east
over the ocean

is a place with the greatest
biodiversity of all.

This is the Great Barrier Reef,

one of the seven natural
wonders of the world.

It's the planet's
largest coral reef system

and covers an area larger
than the state of New Mexico.

This immense structure

was created by billions
of tiny organisms

and is home to a vast array
of marine life,

Including more than
1,500 species of fish.

It's estimated
the current reef

is between six
and 8,000 years old.

But in recent years,

it's come under threat
from climate change.

Today, a team of scientists
are conducting a survey

to gain a snapshot
of the reef's health.

They are looking for signs
of coral bleaching.

This phenomenon can occur
when the ocean warms

more than two degrees
Fahrenheit above average.

The coral expels
the microscopic algae,

which gives them
their vibrant colors,

putting them at risk
of starvation and disease.

The data is essential
in the global effort

to preserve and protect

one of the planet's most
incredible natural wonders.

Much of the Great
Barrier Reef is offshore,

but there is a place
where the reef meets land.

This is the Daintree Rainforest.

Formed over
180 million years ago,

it is the oldest
rainforest in the world.

It's home to a complex ecosystem

and extraordinary biodiversity.

In fact, there are species here

which are found
nowhere else on Earth.

The region experiences
extremely high rainfall,

up to 30ft a year.

But in recent years,
it's been getting drier.

So, scientists from
the James Cook University

have installed a crane right
in the middle of the rainforest

to help with research
into this phenomenon.

It gives them access
to an area of the forest

about which there
is virtually no data.

The rainforest canopy.

This area of thick vegetation

is where the atmosphere
meets the biosphere.

And plays a vital role
in regulating the climate.

Today, Johan and Andrew

are taking samples of leaves,

which they will analyze
in the lab.

These leaves contain
information on such things

as the levels of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere

and the impact
of climatic stress.

They hope the data will assist
researchers all over the world

understand how changes
to our environment

are impacting not only
the Daintree Rainforest,

but our entire planet.

To the north of the Daintree

is one of the largest
unspoiled regions

in the entire country,

the Cape York peninsula.

The roads up here are unpaved,

making travel by land tough.

Yet for those
with plenty of time

and a sense of adventure,

it's possible to take
the Old Telegraph Track.

This iconic 4x4 trail
follows the route

of the region's first
telegraph line,

laid back in 1887.

Crossing fast-flowing rivers

and navigating
treacherous inclines,

the Old Telegraph Track
tests the skills

of even the most experienced
4x4 adventurers.

After three days driving,
the trail ends at Cape York,

the northernmost tip
of continental Australia.

Until 10,000 years ago,

a land bridge existed here,

connecting Australia
to the island of New Guinea.

A recent study suggests

that the first people
to arrive in Australia

may have come via this route.

But when the last
ice age came to an end,

sea levels rose,

cutting off this vast continent.

In fact, this may
be the spot

where the human
history of Australia

first began.

It's impossible not to be amazed
by Australia's east coast.

It contains immense
natural wonders

which hold huge scientific
and cultural value.

Extraordinary adventures
which surprise at every turn

and architectural marvels
like nowhere else on the planet.

Everywhere,
there are powerful stories

of grit and determination.

As well as stories
of tragedy and loss.

But above all,
a deep connection to nature.

When you discover it
all from above,

the Pacific Coast
is simply breathtaking.

♪ ♪