Hector meets Mayo star in Australia while filming new travel series
Hector catches up with Aileen Gilroy from Mayo, who now plays with the Hawthorns in the AFL Women’s Aussie Rules football.
Ireland’s intrepid traveller Hector Ó hEochagáin dives Down Under for an epic adventure across Australia and New Zealand in his latest must-see travel series.
In trademark style, Hector ventures beyond the typical tourist traps to tap into the heart of what makes both countries tick. Returning to Australia after a nineteen-year absence, Hector hits the ground running in the cultural melting pot of Melbourne, where he catches up with Aileen Gilroy from Mayo, who now plays with the Hawthorns in the AFL Women’s Aussie Rules football. He also chats with her teammate Áine McDonagh from Galway.
In trademark style, Hector ventures beyond the typical tourist traps to tap into the heart of what makes both countries tick. Returning to Australia after a nineteen-year absence, Hector hits the ground running in the cultural melting pot of Melbourne, where Aboriginal elder Aunty Joy warmly welcomes him onto traditional lands.
From here, he explores regional Victoria, before hitching a lift with an outback pilot to the underground town of Coober Pedy where classic characters are a dime a dozen. It’s hot and dusty, but that doesn’t stop the outback mailman from hitting the road with Hector in tow, the adventurer ultimately making his way to the red centre of Alice Springs. A flight to Perth uncovers why so many Irish are drawn to Australia’s West. Here, too, Hector hears heartbreaking stories of a Stolen Generation and follows in the footsteps of ancient astronomers. In remote Broome, Hector meets a man connected to the iconic pearl industry before continuing his outback adventures in North Queensland, where cattle stations and campfires are merely part of country life. He digs deeper into the iconic mining town of Mt Isa before travelling east to explore Queensland’s famous coast. A road trip from Brisbane to Sydney takes Hector into New South Wales before hitting Sydney’s sparkling harbour, marking a spectacular end to his Australian leg.
Next, a journey across New Zealand’s North Island, starting in Auckland, where Hector embraces Māori culture and modern Kiwi life. En route to Wellington, there’s a taste of rural life with a visit to a kiwi fruit farm, a traditional feast and a meet-up with activist Tame Iti. Departing Wellington, he crosses the Cook Strait to the rugged South Island, landing in the heart of Sauvignon Blanc country. He heads to the wild West Coast to discover first-hand the coveted ‘West Coaster’ lifestyle. A spectacular rail ride carries him across the Island to his final destination of Christchurch, where he uncovers an entrepreneurial city looking to the future. His Down Under odyssey ends with breathtaking city views from a rescue helicopter — a perfect finale to an unforgettable journey.
