They’re resourceful, they’re resilient, and if they want to win with their sanity intact, they’ll have to love their own company. Meet the next batch of 10 Aussie survivalists who, with only a video camera and the sound of their own voices to keep them entertained, have headed into the remote and wild terrain of New Zealand’s South Island (Aotearoa’s Te Waipounamu) to see who can survive this ultimate test of human will and skill.
The first season, which was a record-breaking ratings hit, saw Gina Chick become the last person standing after 67 days and took home $250,000. Can these contestants, who are allowed to hunt with a bow and arrow this time, beat her record as they fend for themselves, sourcing food, water, shelter, and warmth using only their wits and 10 carefully selected survival items? We’re about to find out.
Who are the contestants of Alone Australia 2024
Andreas, 42, Personal Trainer
“I’m confident my body can handle this,” says the former model, who supplies 90 per cent of the protein he and his partner consume through wild hunting and fishing. He even butchers and stores all body parts of his kills. Having grown up in Sweden, he’s no stranger to the cold elements.
Chace, 27, Defence Force Combat Engineer
“Being Alone is a dream come true. Growing up, I didn’t watch Bob the Builder … I’d be out trying to hunt grandpa’s rabbits,” the baby-faced military expert says. A big and small game hunter, the youngest cast member shouldn’t go hungry.
Jack, 55, tradie & wild game hunter
This father-of-two has cultivated his survival skills over an entire lifetime, and now he’ll put them to the test. “I hunt and fish to feed my family. I have been asked if I’m afraid of being out in the bush alone with all the scary things out there,” he says. “My answer? I am the scary thing.”
Jason, 36, Youth Worker
“There’s no room to hide in a challenge like this; the only person to blame is yourself if something goes wrong. This is the ultimate challenge a human can experience,” the proud Yanyuwa, Waanyi/Garawa man and Jungai says. A former rugby player, he also hunts using traditional methods.
Krzysztof, 39, aquaculturalist
Raised by Polish refugees, Krzysztof has resilience in his blood. He’s also honed in on his side passion, medieval combat. “My strongest trait is going to be my stubbornness: I’m going to sit in the cold, I’m going to sit in the rain,” he says. “I’m going to wait until my loved one taps me on the shoulder and tells me I’ve won.”
Leanne, 41, Aboriginal Programs Officer
“This is my time to go out, explore, adventure and in a way … find myself again,” this proud Barkandji woman says. “Growing up on Country you learn to be self-reliant. Learning to read country, animals and the way they move helps you hunt them. I know a bit.”
Mike, 60, resilience coach
This former Waratahs player and rugby union coach should have no problems being the final person standing, given his vocation. “The ability to handle pain and discomfort is my superpower,” he says. “Testing myself and finding my limits is all part of resilience training.”
Rick, 58, Survival Educator
Not only is Rick a survival educator, but he’s also a former SAS soldier who faced snow and ice warfare. A husband and father, the Queenslander is also an influencer with a 176K TikTok following. “I have a goal of doing epic stuff in my life every year,” he says. “This will be the ultimate opportunity.”
Suzan, 54, Wilderness Adventure Guide
“I want to showcase my 40-plus years of survival skills and show that an older woman can use wisdom and experience to compensate for declining physical strength,” says the off-gridder with a love of plants and shelter-making.
Tamika, 51, off-gridder & former cop
A plant-based chef and author, Tamika will have to overcome a huge obstacle if she wants to make it to the very end – taking an animal’s life in order to survive. The proud vegetarian is motivated by the wilderness, and hopes she can inspire viewers to “love the Earth as much as I do”.
(Alone Australia S2 starts Wednesday, March 27, on SBS and SBS on Demand)
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