Hector san Oz ….

Hector O hEochagáin takes us on his most incredible travel adventure yet. Ireland’s most intrepid, irreverent traveller takes on Australia and treks overland on the Ring Road (An Fáinne Mór) from Sydney to Sydney – 14,000 kms in 8 weeks !

Beginning in Sydney he makes his way to Melbourne, out to Tasmania, Up North to Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, then South to Coober Pedy before heading Westwards to Kalgoorlie and then Perth before heading North for Broome and onwards to Darwin. Then it’s back to the East Coast as he treks South all the way along the Gold Coast to Sydney once again.

He experiences the travel pains, meets mad cappers, travels in all sorts of machines, and makes every Irish Mother aware of what her darlings are up to in Oz and makes everyone else want to pack their bags and say “Slán Eire and Gidday Australia” !

Hector san Oz – TG4

Clár 1 : TX 25.09.06

Hector begins his journey round Australia in Sydney as he climbs to the top of the Harbour Bridge and takes in the Postcard image of Sydney with its Opera House and amazing Harbour. But of course Hector isn’t happy with sights. Before long he’s out on the Streets checking out the Auzzie Lingo, Smuggling his Budgie at the MTV Awards, and getting down to some real AFL Footy training with Irish Star Tadhg Kennelly in a Bondage Parlour. Next he’s checking out the Surf with Champion Surfer Koby Abberton before taking to the skies and landing in Ned Kelly country and then taking on the Lord Mayor of a little country town in a Billycart Race. What an Introduction to Oz …

Clár 2 : TX 02.10.06

Hector is in Melbourne to begin with this week as he meets up with the notorious reformed murderer Mark Brandon Read, aka Chopper. After bopping on ACDC Lane he finds there’s another Rocker in town as he gets up close and personal with Bob Geldof. After hanging out in the “Most Liveable City in the World” it’s off to Tasmania. Beginning in the Penal Prison at Port Arthur he makes his way to Hobart, the Capital in his Taz Bug. Now Hector’s used to an automatic at home so the gears cause him some teething problems but before long he’s cruising up this state which is pretty much the same size as Ireland. He finds Tasmania to be a forgotten land living back in the 80’s. He finds relief though in meeting up with the Kangaroos and the Tasmanian Devils and with help from the Wildlife Man Androo Kelly, he learns how to talk to the Animal Dr. Doolittle style.

Clár 3 : TX 09.10.06

Arriving in Alice Springs, Hector finds it all so quiet and has an itch to get on the road. So after some 4 wheel drive training and stocking up on Spuds, Beer and some Irish Butter he hits the Highway for Uluru (Ayers Rock). He meets a singing Dingo and a man from Killucan in Co.Meath who hasn’t been home in 35 years before camping out with his new Aboriginal Mate Lindsay in the Outback. It’s tough and he’s miles from anywhere as he gets into the Aboriginal way of life. The next day he’s back on the Road again as he makes his way to the Rock . He is amazed by it’s size and its importance to the Aboriginal people. However time waits for noone and Hector never waits for anyone either so he takes to the Air and heads towards the Underground town of Coober Pedy. But not without a pit stop to relieve himself and to have a coldie. He links up on the ground with a Road Train which is taking bananas from Darwin to Adelaide a short journey of 3000kms. Everything in Oz is big and vast and takes time. Hector is learning.

Clár 4 : TX 16.10.06

Beginning in Coober Pedy, the Land of the Opals, it doesn’t take Hector long to get the Opal Fever as he heads out to find his own plot and make his own million … It doesn’t really work out …. He links up with Crocodile Harry who was one of two people on which Crocodile Dundee was based, but who is a real ladies’ man and has the underwear to prove it …. Hector checks out some of the lingerie left behind by some Irish Ladies … So beware all ye nice quiet housewives who backpacked Oz back in the 90’s ….Next he’s off with the Outback Postman as they head out to deliver the mail to the largest Cattle Station in the world at 30 Million Acres. He stays overnight in a William Creek. The population of the Outback town is normally 10. For one night it’s risen to 11. And finally he travels to a Sheep Station for a spot of herding and shearing ..

Clár 5 TX 23.10.06

Next it’s off on a six hour flight across the Outback in his Cessna Plane following the tracks of the Indian Pacific Train as he heads for the home of the Golden Mile, Kalgoorlie. And down into the Big Pit he goes, so big you can see it from Outer Space. Life in Kalgoorlie isn’t all about Gold. There’s topless barmaids here called Skimpies and Hector enjoys a couple of beers and the sights. Next it’s off to Perth where he gets up close with some deadly snakes and has a sing song with the one and only Kevin Bloody Wilson.

Clár 6 TX 30.10.06

Hector is now on the Northern tip of Western Australia as he goes pearl farming in Broome, sets up camp in his amazing Campervan and checks out the bushfires of the Northern Territories. Next stop is Katherine where he meets up with Irish Backpackers in the guise of Gardaí, gets on board the Ghan Train, Plays some footy with a local Aboriginal Team and meets loads of Irish Backpackers before finally reaching Darwin.

Clár 7 TX 06.11.06

Hector has finally reached Paradise as he sets off on a trip by air and sea around the Whitsundays .. He visits the untouched white sands of Whitehaven Beach, Dives in the Great Barrier Reef and lives the nightlife of Airlie Beach. He checks out the living quarters of the Irish Backpackers before taking the Queenslander Train down to Maryborough before concluding his Coastal Trip on the amazing sand bars of Fraser Island ….

Clár 8 TX 13.11.06

The trip is finally coming to an end after 2 months on the road. Hector checks out the Tab Bars and the gambling Pokies of Brisbane and has a close look at all the amazing beers on offer in this country. He heads out for a spot of Deep Sea Fishing off the Coast of Surfers Paradise and learns how to play the Didgeridoo from an “Irish” Aborigine and even finds time to place a couple of wagers on the Trots at Albion Park .. And then as he makes his way South to Sydney he ends up on stage with the great Irish Singing Duo Foster and Allen and brings not only the house down but the series to a mad end …