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This episode sees Michael revisit his fourth, and in some ways most personal, travel series. Inspired by the apparent emptiness of the desert as seen from a flight, and by boyhood dreams of exploration, Michael sets off to find out what this 'blank space' contains. He is delighted and inspired by the societies he encounters there - nomads, refugees, artists. He also confronts some harsh realities - the effects of war, the migrant crisis, and the rise of militant Islam.

These sets of islands are some of the most far flung territories of Australia, but they possess captivating natural beauty and a surprisingly rich and diverse past, with a multicultural heritage like no other. Charles Darwin spent time on Cocos Island developing his theory of coral atolls - a beautiful spot for some theorising, and now as one of Australia's most north easterly points it is of huge military significance. HMAS Sydney sunk the German destroy SMS Emden in World War I not far from Cocos as a German raiding party was attempting to sever Australian communication lines, Neil discovers the story of how this party - the only survivors of the Emden - 'borrowed' some local boats and made the long journey back to Europe. Have you heard the one about the wasp that kills the bug that feeds the ants that kill the red crabs that keep the forests healthy on Christmas Island? Emma has, and lets us in on the ecological battle for equilibrium on the jungle floor. And Dave joins the forensic hunt for the identification of an unknown soldier, washed up on Cocos island in Australian Navy uniform in World War II.

Michael took on his longest and most gruelling journey yet - a 80,470km route around the Pacific Rim taking in Russia, China, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and North and South America. This huge undertaking stretches him and the crew to their limits, and it sees him adopt a more investigative role, as he seeks to get under the skin of the places he visits - from a booming South Korea, to Colombia with its drug wars and poverty.

The west coast colonies began differently to the east, it was originally populated by people who migrated by choice, at least initially. And that is how the west still likes to view itself today, different from the rest. A truly magical landscape, and a history that is unique, particular and compelling. Perth is striking, and different, about one fifth of the water drunk by the population is desalinated, Neil investigates this process and discovers some unique marine life that have developed as a result. Emma explores the sustainable fishing practices of the western rock lobster and Dean tests a brilliant and unique invention, that is the Dyson of the sea, allowing international vessels to have their hulls cleaned without dry docking, and most importantly without releasing harmful alien marine organisms into the local waterways.

A look at how the success of 80 Days opened the door for Michael to tackle an even more ambitious journey for his next series. He would follow the line of 35 degrees latitude from North Pole to South, an incredibly challenging route across the USSR, Africa, and finally Antarctica. Along the way, he witnesses the last days of communism, encounters war in Sudan, and visits South Africa just months after the end of apartheid. Ultimately, he becomes one of just a handful of people to have stood at both poles.

People fantasise of escaping to Far North Queensland, its remote beaches and beautiful rainforests are the stuff of dreams. You can't get further north on the continent than Cape York, the largest unspoilt wilderness in northern Australia, a complex mosaic of rainforest, wetlands, beaches and forests, the beauty of the landscape is almost beyond compare. But it is also home to fascinating people and a rich history of exploration, survival and opportunity. Tim retraces Burke and Wills most northerly steps, they never hit the water, but they came close enough to smell the sea. In 1902 Flinders noted a reddish hue to some of the mountains, today one of Rio Tinto's Bauxite mines is driving the local community and Neil shows how valuable this aluminium ore is to the world; and Australia has six of the seven species of turtles in the world, but they are struggling to adapt and survive, Emma tries to help at a local Indigenous turtle hospital.

Nisha Katona takes Fred to San Sebastian for a mind-blowing meal at one of the world's top restaurants, and to visit a tiny sports bar to learn the secrets of the perfect tortilla.

Journeying from London to Venice, Michael first encounters the grubby side of that famous city as he does a shift with its refuse collectors. Then it is on to Egypt, where he is thrown into the maelstrom of Cairo life and starts to get a taste for the unexpected. Gradually, Michael, who began the series nervous about the scale of this undertaking, sheds his inhibitions and embraces the joy of travelling.

This episode of Coast Australia explores how one of the most picturesque waterways in the world: Sydney, became one of the world's most impressive working harbours. With an indigenous history dating back tens of thousands of years, and a modern history from the first tents of the first settlement, Sydney never ceases to amaze for its brilliance and weight of stories. Neil is shown behind the scenes of Australia's oldest naval base at Garden Island in Sydney Harbour, with hidden tunnels running through the island, and a dry dock that looks like one of the world's largest meccano sets, it is a jigsaw of old and modern military expertise in one location. He also visits the final resting place of the third Japanese midget submarine that escaped during the Sydney Harbour attack in World War II, in now lies 56m below the seas surface off the northern beaches of Sydney. And Dave explores the history of gas lighting in Sydney, a moment when the city grew up, and finds the ramifications of the harbour side gasworks are still being felt today.

Fred and his former boss, chef Michel Roux Jr, are in Paris, experiencing the signature dish of a classic restaurant and enjoying the simple pleasures of a perfect ham baguette.

The history of east Arnhem Land is as old as the population of Australia, an Aboriginal cultural soaked in music and story, but also of living with the land, a land that seemed so harsh to the European settlers as they pushed north. This magical and mythical country holds stories from the past that can help all Australians as they think of the future. Neil explores the history of aboriginal trade with the Makassans from Indonesia - Australia's first international trade, and how this has developed into a modern sustainable sea cucumber harvest. Another world leading invention born on an Australian coast, Tim unearths how a boy born on Groote Eylandt came to create the black box flight recorder. In a 2008 High Court case, bark painting from Blue Mud Bay were upheld as the equivalent of titles deeds to sea rights over coastal waters, Dave traces the history of this historic occasion.

Joanna Lumley explores the tomb of Cyrus the Great, before following the Silk Road through Azerbaijan, Georgia and on to Venice. Then some unseen adventures in the Caribbean.

Tom Kerridge is taking Fred to Edinburgh, a city that's home to one of the UK's most vibrant food scenes. Tom won two Michelin stars cooking in his pub, The Hand and Flowers, and loves places that offer great ingredients, artful cooking and an unfussy atmosphere.

This is the story of how Melbourne evolved from an infant town to a mature city of the world. From a ballooning population due to the gold rush, through to a modern busy port, Port Phillip Bay is now a truly world leading port, with many exciting and amazing adolescent tales as this city grew up. Neil visits the sight of the birth of the RAAF, where some magnificent men operated some truly amazing flying machines. Port Phillip Bay has a big-little problem, sea urchins are devouring the marine life in the bay, Emma discovers how science and fine dining are coming together to find a solution; and Tim reveals how a Scotsman in Geelong brought ice to the world.

Joanna Lumley travels the length of India, before taking us back to Uzbekistan, where she reveals some gory tales of the country's history and discovers the secrets of gem-making.

Chef Angela Hartnett takes Fred to Venice to enjoy the simple but stunning food at her favourite restaurant, and to experience unforgettable service at Italy's oldest cafe.

Follow Hannah Price as she explores the third largest island in Japan - Kyushu. It's famous for its spectacular nature, fascinating culture and unforgettable food.

Follow Hannah Price as she explores the third largest island in Japan - Kyushu. It's famous for its spectacular nature, fascinating culture and unforgettable food.