The Block is back for its highly anticipated 18th season on Sunday, August 7, at 7 pm on Nine and 9Now.
This season, city slicker contestants build on a new site in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges in Gisborne South.
Five new couples from across Australia transform old run-down houses into stunning new homes that combine country and contemporary living. In addition to each building homestead, they must also think about landscaping more than 700 square metres of land with the property.
Taking on the challenge are Bondi-based couple Joel Patfull and Elle Ferguson, Victorian parents Tom Calleja and Sarah-Jane Wilson, Melbourne couple Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra, engaged tradies Dylan Adams and Jenny Heath from Queensland, and friends Omar Slaimankhel and Osman Said (Oz) Western Sydney,
At stake is $100,000 for the winner of The Block, plus whatever profit each pair’s homes can make on auction day.
Left to right: Tom and Sarah-Jane, Omar and Osman, Scott Cam, Joel and Elle, Ankur and Sharon, Dylan and Jenny
While most contestants are eager to tackle this year’s challenge, the construction effort proves too much for some, with one couple dropping their tools and leaving the show three days into filming.
See also: The Block: Tree Change: Everything you need to know about the contestants
Hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft are back to guide and advise the contestants, as well as foremen duo Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly, who will keep the contestants on their toes throughout the build.
Also returning this season to pass their verdict on the rooms built each week are judges Neale Whitaker, Darren Palmer and Shaynna Blaze.
This season will also see build host Scott Cam own country house alongside the couples to help inspire them. Cam will work alongside Duncan Miller and Spence Thomson from past season of The Block, and Sarah Armstrong from The Block Shop.
Hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft
The Block: Tree Change is based on what many people did during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – move to regional and country Australia to reboot their lives and lifestyle.
Executive producer and Block co-creator Julian Cress had the idea for the Tree Change series after he and his family did that, moving from Melbourne to Gisborne South during COVID lockdowns.
“It is such a beautiful part of the world, and I think the Macedon Ranges is one of Melbourne’s best-kept secrets,” he said.
“Plus, as we are coming off a really hard couple of years, heading to the country is almost celebrating our lifestyle and what is so great about Australia,” Cress added.
The Block: Tree Change premieres Sunday, August 8, at 7:00 pm on Nine and 9Now
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Top image: The Block contestants