Culturing pearls at Cygnet Bay

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.

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.

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.