For Matt Allwood survival is rooted in his heritage and upbringing. As a Yanyuwa, Waanyi/Garawa man, his deep connection to culture and Country was shaped by the teachings of Aboriginal Elders and community leaders in Yawuru—Broome.
Now, he has the opportunity to put those skills to the test in the newest season of Alone Australia.
Raised on a cattle station, he developed an innate understanding of the land, skills that will now be tested like never before in the newest season of Alone Australia. Though his athleticism led him to professional rugby league—playing 17 NRL games for the Canberra Raiders and NZ Warriors—it was his unbreakable bond with Country that ultimately drew him back.
Leaving the sporting world behind, Mr Allwood dedicated himself to working with Indigenous youth, passing down knowledge and cultural traditions while honing his skills as a hunter and survivalist. From goanna hunting and spearing stingrays to pig hunting with a nulla-nulla, he embodies the essence of self-sufficiency.
A seasoned bow hunter, expert fisherman, and master of bushcraft, Mr Allwood is prepared to face whatever the wild throws at him. Now, he must push himself further than ever. The icy, unforgiving terrain of Tasmania's West Coast Ranges is unlike anything he's experienced before.
"Growing up, I didn't watch Bob the Builder—I was out hunting grandpa's rabbits," Mr Allwood
"I've literally been hunting my whole life and I've been outdoors since before I can remember."
This season of Alone Australia is unlike any before it. Bigger, bolder, and more brutal than ever, it pits participants against the relentless Tasmanian wilderness in the ultimate test of endurance.
With no camera crew, each contestant must self-document their journey through a freezing winter, battling hunger, isolation, and the sheer unpredictability of the wild. There are only three ways to leave: voluntary tap-out, medical extraction, or victory.
Beyond an extreme survival experiment, Alone Australia showcases the resilience of the human spirit, the power of adaptation, and the raw beauty of self-reliance.
It challenges conventional norms, reminding us of humanity's primal connection to the natural world and the deep wealth of knowledge embedded in First Nations relationships with Country.
Manager, Screen Tasmania, Alex Sangston said Alone Australia is an incredible series, and Screen Tasmania is proud to host the production of season 3.
"We're delighted to have ITV Studios and SBS back on our shores to do exactly that. We're particularly excited by the production's engagement with Palawa cultural practice and stories; audiences around the world are going to learn a great deal about our first people and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community," he said.
Armed with just 10 personally chosen survival items, the competitors will navigate Tasmania's unforgiving terrain, braving torrential rain, freezing temperatures, and the emotional strain of solitude.
Premiering with a double episode on Wednesday 26 March at 7.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.