From gripping Australian dramas to festival coverage, music documentaries, addictive reality TV, and family fun, here are the week’s brightest picks on free-to-air TV.
1. Bay of Fires – ABC – Sunday, August 3, 8PM (Season Final)
The sharp, offbeat Tasmanian noir reaches its season finale, promising a wrap-up laden with dark secrets and sidewinding humour. Set in the quirky, dangerous town of Mystery Bay, Australian actor Marta Dusseldorp leads a cast navigating intrigue, alliances, and small-town politics. Bay of Fires balances gothic suspense with wry comedy; fans are in for revelations, tense standoffs, and dry wit in its last instalment. This is essential Sunday-night drama with regionally rich storytelling and beautifully bleak visuals.
2. The Block – Nine – Sunday, August 3, 7PM & Monday, August 4, 7:30PM
A perennial ratings winner, The Block brings the chaos and creativity of high-stakes renovation to your lounge room. This week’s episodes promise drama as contestants scramble to finish rooms and impress guest judges. Contestants juggle tight timeframes, tactical alliances, and budget blowouts – perfect for anyone who loves property, design, and explosive competition. The fast-cut editing and suspenseful reveals make for addictive, family-friendly appointment viewing.
3. Gardening Australia – ABC – Friday, August 8, 7:35PM
Cult favourite Gardening Australia returns with more hands-on advice, expert tips, and inspirational garden tours. Whether you’re a city dweller cultivating a balcony or maintaining a sprawling backyard, Costa Georgiadis and the team deliver practical hacks and green-thumb gold. This episode offers winter planting wisdom and beautiful visuals tailor-made for all ages, explaining the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of sustainable growing, native species, and lush landscapes.
4. Garma Festival 2025 – SBS On Demand – August 1-4 (Full Coverage)
Immerse yourself in Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering. The Garma Festival showcases Yolngu traditions – art, song, dance, and storytelling – from northeast Arnhem Land. This documentary-style coverage is both vibrant and deeply educational, offering an immersive window into ancient culture and contemporary Indigenous life. Perfect for those curious about First Nations leadership, history, and living culture, it’s a moving, essential annual event.
5. Back Roads – ABC – Thursday, August 7, 8PM
Lisa Millar explores the legendary Snowy River, following its flow from the snowy slopes to where it meets Bass Strait. Back Roads offers “slow TV” for modern travellers, displaying regional stories often missed by city-centric media. This episode brings beautiful vistas, community spirit, and insights into the real Australian heartland – ideal for lovers of the outdoors, road trips, and fascinating small towns.
6. The Shift (Season 2) – SBS On Demand – Premieres August 7
This acclaimed Danish drama returns, relocating from maternity to paediatrics. Hospital head Linda juggles pressures when her own son is rushed in, layering emotional stakes atop workplace drama. The Shift stands out for its realism, nuanced performances, and ethical dilemmas. You’ll be hooked by its compassionate, tension-filled storytelling and human warmth – European TV at its best.
7. Griff’s Great American South – ABC – Thursday, August 7, 8:30PM
British comedian Griff Rhys Jones traces musical and cultural roots along the Mississippi, diving deep into Memphis’ storied soundscape. This episode blends travelogue, music history, and quirky encounters with local legends. It’s part road trip, part cultural crash course, and ideal for fans of music, history, and the wit of British hosts exploring America’s soulful south.
8. Hard Quiz – ABC – Wednesday, August 6, 8PM
Tom Gleeson’s whip-smart quiz show spotlights contestants with unusual specialist subjects – delivered with his trademark cheeky sarcasm. The quiz’s appeal lies in quirky questions, laugh-out-loud banter, and a surprisingly tough intellectual edge. Family-friendly, it delivers both trivia and personality and is a ratings juggernaut for good reason.
9. Marcella (Seasons 1-3) – SBS On Demand – from August 9
For those craving dark detective fare, Marcella delivers. This acclaimed British thriller centres on a detective fighting her own demons while pursuing high-stakes cases in London. It’s noir, psychological, and suspenseful – and all three seasons are dropping for the ultimate binge. Anna Friel’s award-winning performance anchors a twisting, emotional ride into the abyss.
Viewing Tips:
• Times are in local AEST.
• All shows are available on their respective platforms either live or on catch-up, free-to-air.
• Explore on-demand libraries if you miss the broadcast – highlights can often be streamed for several weeks after airing.
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