A stunning new 15-episode online series is set to showcase extraordinary Territory landscapes and experiences to a global audience.
Fishing the Wild: Northern Territory was produced by Darwin production company Run for the Hills. It follows the adventures of Territorians Morgan Hartney and Hamish Simpson (Morgs and Simmo) as they scout out some of the NTs best fishing spots while encountering a range of local characters and incredible wildlife along the way.
This series follows Fishing the Wild: North East Arnhem Land, which aired on 7Mate in 2015 and gathered an enthusiastic following of people from around Australia.
The new series will reach a global audience through YouTube, promoting what the Territory has to offer to millions of potential viewers.
The trailer, launched on YouTube on June 7, was viewed by more than 10,000 people in its first week.
From pristine beaches and incredible storms rolling in to mysterious billabongs, vast floodplains, untouched coral reefs and atolls surrounded by aquamarine waters, no landscape is left unexplored as the duo explores the place they have called home for decades.
A varied cast of extras includes Traditional Owners who share their traditional hunting methods, time out on the water with those who work in the fishing sector, and a range of Territorians who the pair interact with on their travels or through their daily lives.
Different episodes feature Territory businesses, including Wildcard Luxury Cruises, East Arnhem Fishing Adventures and the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel.
The producers received $143,000 in funding from the NT Government to help create the series.
The first episode airs on YouTube tomorrow, with a new episode weekly thereafter. It comes as the Bonus Season for Season 4 of the NT Governments Million Dollar Fish Competition continues, with five red-tagged barra swimming in Territory waters and the first one caught worth $1 million.
The bonus season provides more ways for people to win and will continue until 30 September or until someone catches a red-tagged barra. Season 5 of the competition begins on 1 October 2019 and will run until 31 March 2020.
View the trailer here:
As noted by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss:
This series showcases everything we love about the Territory its landscapes, its wildlife, its people, its weather. There is no place like it on earth, and this series shows that in the most stunning way possible.
Fishing the Wild is about more than fishing it is about a timeless place, a rugged, prehistoric wilderness where you can enjoy experiences in the natural world that will leave you speechless.
Investing in projects such as this, provides a tantalising glimpse of one of Australias most pristine and culturally rich places, and is another way of attracting visitors to the Territory, injecting more money into the local economy, as well as creating new jobs and new business opportunities.
Every episode will be a wonderful advertisement for the Territory and the local operators we will meet along the way.
As noted by Director, Morgan Hartney:
I was born and raised here and the beauty of this place still shocks me. Then you add in the cultural significance – this is the oldest, constantly inhabited place on earth with the oldest living culture on earth.
But you can learn all that on Google. The real surprises are in the hidden details of this place. When you visit these landscapes, when you really zoom into them, thats when you see how unique the NT really is.
We have tried to portray that through this series. We have tried to share the magnetic quality of this place. We want to expose people to things they havent seen before.
The show is not just about fishing, although the variety and size of the fish here is amazing, as is the incredible variety of landscapes you find them in.
The show is also about wild outdoor experiences. Journey here and say goodbye to what you think you know about the Territory. Listen to the people who know this place intimately, and call this incredible, mysterious place home.
