Genre Reality competition Theme music composer John M. Keane | Presented by Grant Bowler Country of origin Australia | |
Created by Elise Doganieri
Bertram van Munster Starring The Amazing Race Australia contestants |
The Amazing Race Australia is an Australian reality game show based on the American TV series, The Amazing Race.
Contents
- The Race
- Teams
- Route Markers
- Clues
- Obstacles
- Legs
- Non elimination legs
- Marathon legs
- Rules
- Penalties
- Series summary
- Ratings
- Countries and locales visited
- Reception
- Awards and Nominations
- References
On 19 July 2010, Seven Network has purchased the format rights to produce the Australian series. The first two series of the show was produced by activeTV in association with ABC Studios. The third series is to be produced in-house by the Seven Network. It is distributed by Disney Media Distribution Asia Pacific. The host for the show is New Zealand-born actor Grant Bowler.
It is the third Asia-Pacific version of the franchise after The Amazing Race Asia (also produced by activeTV) and The Amazing Race: China Rush; however, it is the first adaptation by a country with English as its first language.
The grand prize for the winning team is A$250,000.
The Race
The Amazing Race Australia is a reality television competition between teams of two in a race around the world. The race is divided into a number of legs wherein teams travel and complete various tasks to obtain clues to help them progress to a Pit Stop where teams are given a chance to rest and recover before starting the next leg twelve hours later. The first team to arrive at a Pit Stop is often awarded a prize (up to the value of A$10,000) while the last team is normally eliminated from the race (except in non-elimination legs, where the last team to arrive may be penalised in the following leg). The final leg of each race is run by the last three remaining teams, and the first to arrive at the final destination wins the A$250,000 cash prize.
Teams
Each team is composed of two individuals who have some type of relationship to each other. A total of 64 participants have joined The Amazing Race Australia.
Route Markers
Route Markers are yellow and red flags that mark the places where teams must go. Most Route Markers are attached to the boxes that contain clue envelopes, but some may mark the place where the teams must go in order to complete tasks, or may be used to line a course that the teams must follow. Route markers were, however, coloured yellow and green in the second leg of series 1 to avoid confusion with the flag of South Vietnam.
Clues
Clues are found throughout the race in sealed envelopes, normally inside clue boxes. They give teams the information they need and tasks they need to do in order for them to progress through the race.
Obstacles
During the race, teams may face the following which may potentially slow them down:
Legs
At the beginning of each leg, teams receive an allowance of cash, usually in Australian Dollars, to cover expenses during the race (except for the purchase of airline tickets, which are paid-for by credit cards provided by the race).
Teams then have to follow clues and Route Markers that will lead them to the various destinations and tasks they will face. Modes of travel between these destinations include commercial and chartered airplanes, boats, trains, taxis, buses, and rented vehicles provided by the show, or the teams may simply travel by foot. Each leg ends with a twelve-hour Pit Stop where teams are able to rest and where teams that arrives last are progressively eliminated from the race until only three teams remain. Most legs comprise three or more challenges, often a Roadblock, Detour and a Route Info Task. The first teams to arrive at the Pit Stop win prizes, usually from the show's sponsors.
Non-elimination legs
Each race has a number of predetermined non-elimination legs, in which the last team to arrive at the Pit Stop is not eliminated and is allowed to continue on the race. However, that team is penalised for the next leg.
Marathon legs
Marathon legs occur when teams are instructed to go to the next Pit Stop but actually must continue racing without a mandatory rest period. The clue to the Pit Stop says "Grant Bowler Awaits" with no mention of elimination. It has occurred once every season.
Rules
Penalties
Most Penalties are adapted from the US version but sometimes the show will use its own rules.
Series summary
The first series premiered in May 2011 and ended in August 2011. The second series premiered in May 2012 and ended in August 2012. The casting for a third series began in August 2012, however it was notably absent when the network revealed its 2013 schedule in October. A 2013 series of the show was replaced by an unsuccessful revival of The Mole. A new season was launched in August 2014, involving teams from New Zealand and titled The Amazing Race Australia v New Zealand.
Ratings
^Note 1 : The first four episodes aired on Wednesdays at 9:00 PM and starting with the fifth episode, episodes started airing on Mondays at 7:30 PM.
^Note 2 : Episode 3 aired in ACT,QLD and NSW on Thursday 9:00 PM.
^Note 3 : Episode 11 and 12 aired on Tuesday and Wednesdays 7:30 PM as a part of the show's 'Finale Week'.
^Note 4 : Episode 1 aired at 9:10 PM due to an extended X-Factor.
^Note 5 : Episode 10 aired at 9:00 PM on Thursday.
Countries and locales visited
As of 2017, The Amazing Race Australia has visited 27 countries and 6 inhabited continents.
Reception
The premiere episode of series 1 was placed in top 5 ratings behind MasterChef Australia, Come Fly with Me and two nightly news. It had more viewers in the Melbourne and its regional area during the week of 15–21 May 2011.
Awards and Nominations
This show has won the consecutive Asian Television Awards for "Best Adaptation of an Existing Format" and "Best Direction" for Michael McKay in 2011.