Nine’s Today show will celebrate its 35th birthday next week with a We Love Australia trip beginning Monday June 26, and finishing with a massive party at the Nine studios on Friday June 30.
Karl, Lisa, Richard, Tim and Sylvia’s adventures will begin with a special program showcasing the Great Barrier Reef, broadcast from Hamilton Island in the picturesque Whitsundays.
The program then heads inland to Queensland’s sheep and cattle town of Winton where they’ll get down and dirty – digging and exploring for Australia’s largest dinosaur fossils. Broadcasting from outside the North Gregory Hotel, they’ll also be treated to a special performance by Australian country music star Adam Harvey, compete in the extreme sport of dunny racing, and host a free breakfast barbecue for all the Winton locals.
On Wednesday Karl, Lisa and the team head to the heart of Kelly country – taking Today to the Victorian township of Glenrowan, the site of the final siege and capture of Ned Kelly and his gang.
Today then heads north to the New South Wales town of Dubbo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo for its Thursday program. It will include a visit to the Old Dubbo Gaol, the Japanese Gardens and local dairies.
On Friday, Karl, Lisa, Richard, Sylvia, Tim, Natalia and Ross regroup at the Nine studios in Sydney for a landmark 35th birthday morning of celebrations – featuring a performance by Niall Horan. This will be Horan’s first ever solo appearance on Australian television, performing his hits “Slow Hands” and “This Town”.
Nine will also welcome former Today hosts from the past 35 years, including the very first hosts, Steve Liebmann and Sue Kellaway, as well as Liz Hayes, Tracy Grimshaw, Monty Dwyer and many more.
Sponsors involved in the week-long adventure are Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Tourism Events Queensland, Gabrielli Construction, Vision Splendour Film Festival, Winton Shire Council and Destination NSW.