Russ Malkin is the producer and director of the TV series Long Way Down and Long Way Round, in which Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman motorcycled their way around the world. Here Russ shares some Australian traveller’s tales.
Every show begins with a pilot, a sort of test piece that sets the scene and gives a TV company something to look at, so they can decide whether to turn it into a full blown series. For the Long Way Round pilot, Russ and the team headed to Australia.
“Ewan hadn’t ridden off-road and we hired bikes and filmed Ewan and Charley riding together near Wisemans Creek and made our teaser tape. It was very funny and the guys worked well together. The whole experience was a lot of fun and we met many friendly people.
“That’s what’s great about Australia. Everyone is friendly and up for making things happen. It’s a great place for adventure. I’ve been many times. When we were making By Any Means (Charley’s Boorman’s epic trip from Ireland to Australia using 112 modes of transport) we travelled through from Darwin all the way down through Coober. We even slept literally between the rusty tracks of the old Ghan, and drove the steam train that runs south of there and ended in Sydney.
“Last year I went with Joss Stone and we did a great piece with the First Nations people near the Gold Coast where they said they can call up Dolphins by blowing a conch. Right, we thought. Then Joss blew it and twenty dolphins popped up!
“I love train travel and having just done the Trans-Siberian I would love to ride the Ghan. I have fond memories of racing the trains in Oz and overtaking them to get to a crossing on my bike and watch them thunder by.
“I’d also love to do a track day on Philip Island and make my way round the outside of Australia using lots of forms of transport (including boats).”
Read our 1st interview with Russ here
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