The new cult-hit survival series features 10 Australian survivalists, including Thirroul’s own Duane Byrnes, 35, a Wildlife & Environmental Officer, proud First Nations man and father of two.

Alone Australia will premiere on SBS on March 29. 

Thanks to Duane for taking the time to answer this Q&A for the Flame.

So Duane, we know you can’t give away too much information, as Alone Australia hasn’t been released on SBS Australia yet, but can you tell us what the show is about?

In my opinion, it’s the best show of all time and I’m a huge fan. There are many series overseas, but this time it’s 10 Australians dropped into the remote wilderness of Western lutruwita (Tasmania). Completely isolated from the world and each other, stripped of all modern-day possessions, they have to self-document with cameras, their experience of pure survival. The person who lasts the longest wins $250,000. It’s going to be an epic series and I’m a contestant in the first-ever Australia version. 

Wow! What would make you want to apply to be on something like that? 

Funny story actually. I had never heard of the show before and I was leading a team at a Hazard Reduction burn one day at work. I love botany, especially native bush-tucker species, and I showed a team member an edible plant and they said I should apply to go on Alone. I asked what it was, watched it that very night and my wife and I got absolutely addicted to the show. 

Just as we finished watching all seasons, applications opened for the Australian series and I happened to be successful in my application. 

That’s great! What kind of experience and credentials do you need to be on the show? 

It’s not a show that just anyone can be on, unfortunately. With season one, I can say you needed to provide a written application of your past experiences working or living remotely, how you adapt to certain situations and knowledge of Australian ecosystems. You then have to also be able to prove this physically by undertaking psychological, physiological and skills-based tests with some of the country’s most highly trained professionals. 

Thanks Duane. And, lastly, if you had to explain your experience on Alone Australia in three words, what would they be? 

That’s actually a hard one to answer as I feel the experiences I had out there will forever be providing me strength, thoughts and emotions … Three words that come to mind quickly are: connectivity, life-enhancing and fun (because that’s what life should be about, right!)   

Thanks for the support, everyone.  

Be sure to watch Duane on Alone Australia!

The 11-part documentary series Alone Australia will premiere with a double episode on Wednesday, 29 March at 7.30pm, and continue weekly from 7.30pm, on SBS and SBS On Demand