Alone Australia is an Australian survival reality television competition series on SBS which premiered on 29 March 2023.[1] It follows the self-documented daily struggles of 10 individuals as they survive alone in the wilderness for as long as possible using a limited amount of survival equipment. The participants are isolated from each other and all other humans, with the participants having to self-document and film their experiences themselves. They may "tap out" at any time or be removed due to failing a medical check-in. The contestant who remains the longest wins a grand prize of $250,000.
In early 2022, an Australian version was announced by SBS following the success of the American version on the network and its streaming counterpart SBS On Demand. The series is produced by ITV Studios Australia, with the first season taking place around a remote lake in Tasmania's West Coast[2] during winter 2022. The American version of the show also airs on Pay-TV channel A&E via Foxtel.[3] An Alone pop-up channel began broadcasting on Foxtel on 24 February 2023 and ceased broadcasting on 20 March 2023.[4]
The first season was won by Gina Chick after surviving 67 days alone, making her only the second female and oldest contestant in the history of the Alone worldwide to win.[5] The second season was won by Krzysztof Wojtkowski, surviving 64 days alone without eating meat.[6] In June 2023, the series was nominated for the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Factual or Documentary Program,[7] but it lost to The Australian Wars.[8]
Format
Contestants are dropped off in a remote wilderness area, far enough apart to ensure that they will not come in contact with one another.[1] The contest typically begins in mid-to-late autumn; this adds time pressure to the survival experience as the approaching winter causes temperatures to drop and food to become scarce. Although terrains may differ in each contestant's location, the drop-off zones are assessed in advance to ensure a similar distribution of local resources is available to each contestant.
Contestants each select 10 items of survival gear from a pre-approved list of 40, and are issued a kit of standard equipment, clothing and first aid/emergency supplies.[9] They are also given a set of cameras to document their daily experiences. Attempting to live off the land for as long as possible, the contestants must find food, build shelter in order to survive while enduring deep isolation, physical deprivation and psychological stress of being alone.
Contestants who wish to withdraw from the competition for any reason (referred to as "tapping out") may signal a rescue crew using a provided satellite telephone. In addition, medical professionals conduct periodic health checks on the contestants and may, at their discretion, disqualify and evacuate anyone they feel is unable to continue participating safely. The last remaining contestant wins a $250,000 cash prize.[10]
^The Reunion was made available to stream on 24 May 2023 on SBS On Demand immediately after the broadcast of the final two episodes on SBS. The reunion was broadcast the following day on SBS
Lost 30% body weight, not willing to risk health and sanity
Tamika Simpson
51
QLD
Off-Gridder and Former Police Officer
53 days
Did not want to kill animals for food
Rick J. Petersen
58
QLD
Survival Educator and Former SAS Soldier
38 days
Missed family
Jack
55
NSW
Tradesman and Wild Game Hunter
16 days
Lack of food
Chace Leitch
27
QLD
Defence Force Combat Engineer
10 days
Missed family, wife pregnant
Jason Allwood
36
NSW
Youth Worker and Jungai
8 days
Mental health concerns, lack of food
Leanne Mitchell
41
VIC
World Heritage Aboriginal Programs Officer
4 days
Missed family
Mike Hayes
60
NSW
Resilience Coach
2 days (medically evacuated)
Chest pain
Reception
Critical reception
The series received positive reviews in its first season. David Knox of TV Tonight rated the series 4½ out of 5 stating, "Above all, there’s nothing else like this on television and that -alone- makes it worth checking out".[32] Wenlei Ma of News.com.au gave a positive review stating, "That insight into human nature at its limit is the gem in this series."[33]
Viewership
Although overnight ratings for the first two episodes, played as double episode, averaged 212,000 viewers, total numbers reached 761,000, an increase of 138%, making it one of SBS's most watched series for 2023.[34] The third episode averaged 195,000 viewers overnight, and reached 791,000 in total numbers.[35] The fourth episode averaged 205,000 viewers overnight, and reached 826,000 in total numbers.[36]
