A Big Country

Dec 08 2024 47 ep. 25 mins 504
A Big Country Podcast artwork

The ABC's team of specialist reporters introduce you to the people and places that make up country Australia.

  Society & Culture
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Planting trees for endangered bird species and bringing back oysters

Dec 08 2024 25 mins  
Farmers and volunteers planting trees to help endangered Regent Honeyeater birds; restoring native shellfish reefs on the Noosa River; retiree buys himself an outback caravan park for 70th birthday; in nearly 40 years growing rambutans in Australia, Kerry Eupene has seen the sweet, tropical fruit become more popular in local markets.

Scientists studying sounds beneath the surface and adding value to fruit and grain crops

Dec 01 2024 25 mins  
Apple grower making alcohol from fruit that might have gone to waste; grain farmers milling wheat for baking flour; Irish dog breeder having success down under with working dogs; researchers' deep dive into sounds below the surface of water.

Cleaning up island's coastline and harvesting salt on outback station

Nov 24 2024 25 mins  
Tapping salty resource on outback station; tour guides cleaning up island paradise and encouraging others to do the same; remote northern stations preparing for isolation of wet season; garlic harvest gathering pace.

Flying award for remote muster pilot and brothers revive family farm

Nov 17 2024 25 mins  
Outback pilot recognised with aviation award; brothers become full-time market gardeners, reviving family farm; the small town backing a solution to recycling plastic waste; harvest time for farming couple who have been growing cherries for four decades.

Photographing fishing industry and the craftsman keeping wine industry in barrels

Nov 10 2024 25 mins  
Commercial fishers the focus of photography project; the story behind a Sikh community on the NSW coast; cooper crafting wooden barrels crucial to wine industry; farmers swap broad acre grain growing for agritourism venture.

Changing of the guard for remote island lighthouse and hollow log homes for fish

Nov 03 2024 25 mins  
Endangered fish making use of hollow log homes; new caretaker for remote island lighthouse; beer and bacon fuelling bumper harvest; optimism for wool in the west in the face of change and challenges.

Searching for tiny slime moulds and labour of love harvesting wasabi

Oct 27 2024 25 mins  
Citizen scientist searching for tiny slime moulds to increase understanding of single cell organisms and their role in supporting eco-systems; inside the greenhouse growing Australia's only commercial wasabi crop; mango farm church helping Pacific workers feel at home in top end; couple draw on science and sustainability to milk goats for cheesemaking.

Young people finding their voice in reggae and country shows helping farming communities through tough times

Oct 20 2024 25 mins  
Meet the bands telling outback stories through desert reggae music; the country shows providing rural communities with an opportunity for connection; first generation farmers winning awards for raw sheep milk cheeses; food photographer telling the stories of people behind the produce.

Caring for endangered native plant and green thumbs across generations

Oct 13 2024 25 mins  
Rural property owners inherit endangered native species, nurture it through drought; old and young green thumbs working together in tiny school's kitchen garden; cider maker turns to producing vinegar from surplus fruit; how breeding and training pigeon's helps Kimberley's mental health.

A Big Country

Oct 06 2024 25 mins  
Stories from around Australia by the ABC's rural reporters.