It’s been a long three years since the last season of Outback Truckers aired, with fans eagerly anticipating a return.
Now that wait is finally over, with season 10 being aired on 7Mate on Tuesdays at 8.30pm – following the world premiere tonight, August 27,
Produced by Western Australian based Prospero Productions, Outback Truckers has showcased the challenges our truckies face on a daily basis to the world, with the show aired in over 100 countries since its debut in 2012.
While the new season will feature several long-time show favourites, there are plenty of new faces as well.
Outback trucking legend Steve Grahame, aged 72, has been on Outback Truckers from the very beginning, tackling the harshest terrain to deliver to some of the most remote corners of Australia. And he’s been driving trucks for a whopping 56 years.
Based in Perth, Steve and his seven-year-old German shepherd/kelpie cross named Bella, take viewers along for the ride.
His work takes him into Pitjantjatjara land in northern South Australia, up through the Northern Territory and across the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
“I’m still travelling the same roads, undertaking the same work, the same sorts of jobs and dealing with the same risk factors,” said Steve.
He drives a 1994 model Kenworth C501. “The clock has been around over four times now, so the truck is getting up towards five million kilometres – but the only bit that’s original is the cab and the chassis rails. Everything else has been replaced at some point,” said Steve.
“Though I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I’ve fitted a new engine to my truck, which is run by not just me but also a computer. If something breaks, I’ll have to call a helicopter,” he laughed, adding that the new Cummins X15 600hp engine has been in the truck for about 10 months, having done around 110,000 kilometres so far.
When Steve chatted with Big Rigs, he had just returned from the Great Australian Amethyst Mine in the Pilbara.
“I’m still doing all the longer stuff and Bella still loves coming in the truck – though she’s got to a stage where I’ve had to make a ramp for her to get in and out of the truck now,” said Steve.
Having been on Outback Truckers for so many years, Steve believes the show has had a positive impact in more ways than one – improving the perception of truck drivers and the industry among the public, showcasing what Australia’s vast and varied landscape has to offer, and – he says – it’s been great for his business too.
“I think the show has helped create a lot more acceptance for what we do. You get to see the industry, warts and all,” he said. “It lets people see what we are like, what we go through, how involved the work is and how hands-on it is from a mechanical point of view.
“It’s not just driving a truck down a road. I think it’s been an eye opener, showing that trucking really is a skilled trade.
“There’s a lot of knowledge truck drivers have to have these days – about the braking system, the trailers, customer and client liaison.
“The good news is, I’ve found we’re getting more accepted by other travellers on the road. We’ve been shown with our families and our dogs, and people can see that we’re just like everybody else.”
For Steve, he says he’s proud to be featured on the show, alongside Bella. “I’m proud of the fact that Outback Truckers has showcased Australia the way it has. My phone number is on the side of my truck and I’m surprised at how many people call from overseas to say how much they’d love to come and visit.
“It’s been good being able to showcase this wide, big, huge country of ours and the advertising has been pretty handy too. For me as a small contractor, I’ve definitely had jobs and contracts as a direct result of being on the show. I wouldn’t have thought a small contractor like myself would gain much from that sort of advertising, but I have.”
For some time, the future of Outback Truckers had been hanging in the balance. The team at Prospero Productions worked tirelessly to get Season 10 off the ground, overcoming several hurdles before finally getting the green light late last year.
As per previous seasons, Season 10 will feature 13 one-hour long episodes.
Steve said he’s pleased to see the show make its return, revealing the production crew had joined him on a recent trip as they’re now filming for season 11.
Prospero Productions is also currently casting for Season 11 of Outback Truckers, with filming of new episodes to continue through to February 2025.
“They’re looking for anyone in the industry that’s prepared to put up their hand. Long distance is always interesting, but if you’re doing linehaul off a wharf you could show the stress and frustration of the working environment there too,” explained Steve.
For any truckies considering applying, Steve’s advice is simple: “I’d say just do it, without hesitation,” he said, while also thanking Big Rigs readers for all their support along the way.
*If you think you have what it takes to star in the next season of Outback Truckers, contact rachael.s@prospero.com.au or c.falkiner@prospero.com.au.
I have been a truck driver for some years now and I must say that I do local deliveries. And those boys that do out back truckers are Australian hero in my book the stuff they have to go through sometimes is absolutely bullshit when you see them get bogged and what they have to do to get out of that is just amazing. And there knowledge of what happens when a truck breaks down is mind blowing. So boys & girls keep up the great work that you do and have done for so long and keep on trucking.