Aussie Gold Hunters is an Australian factual television show which follows crews of gold prospectors in Australia. The series is produced by Electric Pictures and began on the Discovery Channel on 15 September 2016. The series has been a ratings success and gone on to air in 125 countries including the United Kingdom.
In August 2022 the series was renewed for an eighth and ninth season, with season eight to premiere in 2023. Season seven concluded on 13 October 2022.
The first season of eight episodes produced by Electric Pictures premiered on 15 September 2016.[1] In March 2017 the series was renewed for a 10 episode second season,[2] which premiered on 6 July 2017.[3] In March 2018 the series was renewed for a 13 episode third season,[4] which premiered on 31 May 2018.[5] In September 2018 the series was renewed for a 13 episode fourth season,[6] which premiered on 2 May 2019.[7]
In October 2019 the series was renewed for 40 episodes across two seasons.[8] The 20 episode fifth season premiered on 30 April 2020.[9] Following the conclusion of the fifth season, three specials featuring highlights from the five seasons premiered on 17 September 2020.[10] The sixth season initially premiered in the United Kingdom on Discovery+ on 22 February 2021 before premiering in Australia on Discovery Channel on 29 April 2021.[11][12][13] In April 2021 it was announced the series had been renewed for a seventh and eighth season.[13] The seventh season premiered on 2 June 2022.[14] In August 2022, Warner Bros Discovery UK announced the series was renewed for an additional two series, with the eighth and ninth seasons to premiere in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The eighth season will see the return of six teams and the addition of two new teams.[15]
Not all the miners featured on the show are Australian. Lindsay Ironside was imported from Canada by Vernon Strange.[17] Henri Chassaing came from Switzerland.[18]
Jacqui and Andrew encounter a crocodile as they camp on the banks of the Palmer River. Plus, the Ferals travel to Jarman Island to mine on untouched land.
Winter storms ravage the Gold Retrievers’ new $35,000 dry blower and could end their season. Meanwhile, the pressure to find gold could tear the Ferals apart.
The Poseidon Crew are forced to hunt Victoria’s frozen high country. Meanwhile, the Gold Timers use the last of their savings to hire some big machinery.
The Gold Timers gamble their last $6,000 and commission a magnetic drone survey. The Ferals face a killer snake, while Brad and Chris get expert advice.
The Ferals confront a gold thief who’s raided their lease. The Gold Retrievers explore a promising new lease, while Jacqui and Andrew get their big break.
Permit delays ruin the Poseidon Crew’s hopes of a massive payday on their famed ground. A torrential downpour forces Shane and Russell to evacuate their dig site.
Jacqui and Andrew are targeted by potential gold thieves. Marcus and Linden hunt ground close to the site of the biggest nugget ever found in Western Australia.
The Poseidon Crew finally start digging legendary ground in search of a multi-million-dollar nugget. Shane and Russell endure the snake-ridden wilderness in Pilbara.
The Poseidon Crew are running out of time to find a 1,000-ounce nugget. The Gold Retrievers work through the night in an attempt to escape dangerous summer heat.
Shane and Russell take the biggest gamble of their season. Marcus, Linden and Dale desperately need new ground before intense heat shuts down their operation.
The Gold Timers negotiate a lucrative deal to sell their mining rights. Torrential summer storms in Victoria threaten to shut down the Poseidon Crew’s operation.
In the Pilbara region, the Ferals hit a run of nuggets that could transform their season. Meanwhile, the Gold Retrievers are rocked by a medical emergency.
The Poseidon Crew’s mine site is swamped after a brutal storm. Ryan collapses in a deadly heatwave, while Russell and Shane uncover a big nugget.
Parker's Trail crossover
In 2020, season four of Gold Rush: Parker's Trail featured gold mining in the states of Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.[124][125] The season saw former Aussie Gold Hunters' cast member Tyler Mahoney in a main role.[124][125] There were also guest appearances by former cast members Jake Larsen demonstrating heap leaching,[126] as well as Ted and Lecky Mahoney teaching the process of pegging land leases.[127]
Reception
The series has been a domestic and international ratings success.[128] The series has been the #1 factual program on Foxtel for four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020.[13] In addition, in the United Kingdom, where the series is broadcast on Quest, Aussie Gold Hunters is consistently the channel's top rating show of the week as well as frequently ranking in the top 10 of non-public broadcasting shows.[8][128]
Broadcast
As of May 2020, Aussie Gold Hunters has been broadcast in 125 countries with an estimated reach of 40 million viewers.[128]
See also
Gold Rush, a similar show set in Canada and Alaska
