The Amazing Race Australia 2

Filming and Development

The 2nd season of The Amazing Race Australia started at the eastern approach of the Royal Botanical Gardens alongside Farm Cove overlooking Sydney Harbour skyline.

On 17 July 2011, the Seven Network announced that the show was renewed for a second series.

Filming began on 18 November 2011 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney. The race travelled across four continents, 9 countries and 17 cities and was over 65,000 kilometres (40,000 mi) long. This series marked a first time visit by a Eurasian or Australian edition of the franchise to the Americas, including an Amazing Race first time visit to the nation of Cuba; the United States embargo against Cuba prevents the original American edition from visiting the island but Obama's Administration is pushing for flights to Cuba.^[2] This is also the first version outside of the American edition to circumnavigate the globe.

Three new twists were introduced in this series. The Salvage Pass was awarded in Leg 1, giving the recipient team a choice between a one-hour head start or saving the last team from elimination in that leg; and new twists to the U-Turn, the U-Turn in Leg 4 required all teams to vote for the team to be U-Turned at the start of the leg (This twist was also used in the second series of the Israeli version which was also produced by ActiveTV) and the U-Turn in Leg 5 was an Anonymous U-Turn, in which the team who elected to use it will remain anonymous (This twist was also used in the 14th, 16th, 21st and 22nd series of the US Version, known as the Blind U-Turn).^[3] In Leg 6 a Yield was present and this is the first time it had been seen in the Australian version.

During Leg 4, Lucy and Emilia were detained for driving into the grounds of a royal palace in Dubai, however, they were eventually released with a warning.

Cast

Applications for the race ended on 19 August 2011. On 20 April 2012, the teams were announced by the Seven Network.^[4] The cast includes a pair of identical twins, Indigenous Australian cousins, cops and a pair of hairdressers. It also features the race's first disabled contestant, Sticky, who was born without a left forearm; Michelle and Jo Troy are both cheerleaders of St. George Illawarra Dragons;^[5] former Australian rules footballer Ross Thornton along with his daughter Tarryn. Lucy and Emilia were originally picked for the first series but dropped out at the last minute due to their mother falling sick.

Broadcasting

The show was on hiatus from 30 July to 6 August 2012 to avoid clashing with the 2012 Summer Olympics. The final three episodes aired from 13 August 2012 on consecutive nights.

Marketing

Honda, Bing Lee and PUMP water continued their sponsorship, the new sponsors for this series were Zuji Australia, a sister company of Travelocity (an official sponsor of the American version of the series), and Swisse Vitamins.

Voting History

Similar to the second series of the Israeli version, teams on the fourth leg voted for who should receive the U-Turn. The team who has the most votes must complete the other option of the Detour they did not select.

Leg 1 (Australia → Philippines)

In the Philippines, teams visited the remains of Cagsawa Ruins in Albay province overlooking Mayon Volcano had to look up for a snake charmer.

Airdate: 30 May 2012

• Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Royal Botanic Gardens) (Starting Line)
• Sydney (Barangaroo Wharf)
• Sydney (Sydney Airport) to Manila, Philippines (Ninoy Aquino International Airport)
• Manila (Plaza Miranda)
• Quezon City (Araneta Center Bus Terminal – Bicol Isarog TSI Bus Terminal) to Daraga (Cagsawa Ruins)
• Bacacay (Misibis Bay Resort and Casino – Luyang Beach)
• Bacacay (Misibis Bay Resort and Casino – Mosboron Beach)

The first Detour of the race was a choice between Jig or Pig. In Jig, teams had to don traditional costumes then learn and perform a traditional Ibalong Festival dance to the satisfaction of four judges in order to receive their next clue. In Pig, teams would compete in a fiesta game called "Catch the Oily Pig". Teams would have to cover each other in oil and enter a muddy pen to catch four pigs. Once each team member caught two pigs and put them in another pen, a farmer would give them their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Starting Line, teams traveled by foot to the Man O'War Steps at the Sydney Opera House, where they took a boat to Barangaroo Wharf. Only one team was allowed on each boat at a time. There, they had to choose and remove a marked Honda CR-Z from a large maze by moving the 24 surrounding black cars in either a forward or reverse direction only. Both team members had to be in a car to move it. When they were done, teams will be given their first clue, and they could use their car to drive themselves to the airport for the first destination.
• At Plaza Miranda, teams must find a marked stall where teams had to eat 8 baluts from an egg-seller's store before receiving their next clue from the egg seller.
• At Bicol Isarog TSI Bus Terminal, teams signed up for one of three charter buses to Daraga. The first three teams would be on the first bus, the next four teams on the second bus, and the remaining teams on the last bus. Each bus left half an hour apart starting from 12:30am. Once in Daraga, teams went to the famous Cagsawa Ruins and search a snake charmer who would give their next clue.
• At the Luyang Beach, teams had to build a wooden raft with the provided materials and paddle themselves to the Pit Stop at Mosboron Beach.

Leg 2 (Philippines → India)

In Delhi, teams visited the historical step well of Agrasen ki Baoli to look for a turban.

Airdate: 6 June 2012

• Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) to Delhi, India (Indira Gandhi International Airport)
• Delhi (Agrasen ki Baoli)
• Bhalswa (Jabbar and Laallu's Dairy)
• Delhi (Old Fort)
• Delhi (Qutub Minar)

The Detour was a choice choice between Pull and Poo. Both Detour options required teams to travel to Jabbar and Laallu's Dairy in Bhalswa. In Pull, teams had to take turns milking a cow in order to collect half-litre of milk, which they could exchange for their next clue. In Poo, teams had to make 50 fuel bricks out of cow manure and hay then stick them to a wall in order to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Agrasen ki Baoli, teams have to find from a group of men wearing turbans for one of six that had their word "correct" hidden within their turban, to receive their next clue. If teams do not find one, teams have to rewrap the man’s turban before they could continue searching.
• At the Old Fort and they had to learn and perform a Bollywood dance with an addition of reciting a script in Hindi. If they performance was to the director's satisfaction, they would receive their next clue.

Leg 3 (India)

The Madhavendra Palace in Jaipur's Nahargarh Fort was the Pit Stop for this Leg of the Race.

Airdate: 13 June 2012 (Rest of Australia); 14 June 2012 (ACT,QLD,NSW)

• Delhi to Jaipur, Rajasthan (Shiv Vilas)
• Jaipur (Red Elephant Temple) (Unaired)
• Jaipur (Bharat Driving and Maintenance School)
• Jaipur (Jaipur Market)
• Jaipur (Panna Meena ka Kund)
• Jaipur (Nahargarh Fort – Madhavendra Palace)

During the Pit Stop, all teams were transported by bus to Shiv Vilas in Jaipur to begin this leg. There was a Detour on the leg, as Sarah was shown holding a Detour clue outside the temple in promotional material; however, the task was not shown on air, and the objectives were unknown.

In the race's first Roadblock, teams had to make their way to Bharat Driving and Maintenance School where one team member had to sit through a driver's education class, before navigating themselves through the chaotic streets of Jaipur to a market driving from right-to-left. If they passed their driving test, they would receive their next clue.

In the leg's second Roadblock, one team member (alternate team racer who did not complete the first Roadblock was not required) had to figure out how to get from the top of the stairwell to a guru sitting in the middle. If they reached the guru, providing the correct combination of 41 steps down and ten steps up, they would receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Red Elephant Temple, teams were given a blessing from the priest along with their next clue.
• At the Jaipur Market, teams had to stack an ox cart with 75 pots and deliver them to the other end of the market to receive their next clue. If teams broke more than 15 pots along the way, they would receive a 15-minute penalty before they were given their next clue.

Leg 4 (India → United Arab Emirates)

Teams ended this leg in Dubai on the Four Points hotel in Sheikh Zayed Road.

Airdate: 20 June 2012

• Jaipur (Jaipur Railway Station) to Delhi (New Delhi railway station)
• Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport) to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Dubai International Airport)
• Al Faqa (Al Faqa Desert)
• Jumeirah, Dubai (Wild Wadi Water Park)
• Dubai (Meydan Racecourse)
• Dubai (Four Points Helipad)

The Detour was a choice between Camel Dash or Dune Bash. Both Detour options required teams to drive themselves to the Al Faqa Desert. In Camel Dash, teams had to ride a camel through a course and retrieve four coloured flags in order to receive their next clue. In Dune Bash, teams had to drive a dune buggy 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) around a flagged desert track in order to receive their next clue. Teams found the U-Turn reveal board at the end of the Detour task.

There was an unaired Roadblock during the Leg, as Shane was clearly seen holding a Roadblock clue and it was seen unaired. However, this Roadblock was unaired, and further details are unknown.

Additional tasks

• Before leaving Jaipur, teams voted for who they wished to U-Turn; afterwards, they must head an overnight train back to Delhi and catch a flight for Dubai.
• Upon arriving Dubai, teams picked up a marked Honda vehicle at the airport carpark along with their next clue.
• At Wild Wadi Water Park, teams must use boogie boards to surf their way to the bottom of the Surf Machine where they would grab their next clue.
• At the Meydan Racecourse, teams picked a winning horse before the race. If their horse won the race, they would receive their next clue; otherwise they must wait for the next race to try again. If teams did not bet on the winning horse in any of the races, or came out to the course after the race, one team member had to carry their teammate 200 metres (220 yd) across the finish line to receive the next clue.

Leg 5 (United Arab Emirates → Turkey)

Upon arriving in Istanbul, teams visited the famous Blue Mosque.

Airdate: 25 June 2012

• Jumeirah, Dubai (Jumeirah Beach Hotel Marina – Dubai Pearl)
• Deira, Dubai (Al-Arsa Souq or Gold Souq)
• Deira, Dubai (Deira Old Souq Station)
• Dubai (Dubai International Airport) to Istanbul, Turkey (Atatürk International Airport)
• Istanbul (Blue Mosque)
• Istanbul (Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern)
• Istanbul (Archaeological Museum)

The Detour was a choice between Count 'Em Up or Price 'Em Up. In Count 'Em Up, teams had to make their way to Al-Arsa Souq and count the number of dried limes in a sack to receive their next clue. In Price 'Em Up, teams had to make their way to a marked jewellery store in the Gold Souq and arrange seven pieces of jewellery from the cheapest to the most expensive in order to receive their next clue.

For this Roadblock, one team member must memorise eight Arabic symbols and then line them up on a vertical column at the Basilica Cistern. They could only go back to Hagia Sophia should the team member unable to recall the symbols. Once the order of symbols were lined correctly, they would receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At Jumeirah Beach Hotel Marina, teams had to wait the Dubai Pearl, a boat was standing on an offshore. Once it arrived they could enter the boat and find the skipper, who would give them their next clue.
• After completing the Detour, teams must make their way to Deira Old Souq Station where teams would encounter the Anonymous U-Turn Board.
• Upon arrival at Blue Mosque, teams had to find Sultan at the mosque's grounds, who would receive their next clue.

Leg 6 (Turkey)

This leg's Roadblock had teams participate in traditional Turkish tradition of Whirling Dervishes.

Airdate: 2 July 2012

• Istanbul (Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamami)
• Istanbul (Yeni Camii or Egyptian Bazaar)
• Istanbul (Rumelihisarı)
• Istanbul (Darüzziyafe Restaurant)
• Istanbul (Beyazit Square)

The Detour was a choice between Shine or Design. In Shine, teams had to locate a marked shoe shine stall at Yeni Camii and convince 10 locals to have their shoes shined for no less than 4 each until receiving their next clue. In Design, teams must find a marked carpet stall in the Spice Bazaar (known as "Egyptian Bazaar") and choose a piece of fabric from an exotic Turkish pattern, then find a perfect match among the carpets to get their next clue.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to spin with Whirling Dervishes for five minutes continuously to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamami, one team member from each team have to wash the other team member using the soap provided, until the word 'Detour' was revealed in the bar of soap.
• At Rumelihisarı fortress (known as "Rumeli Castle" in the show) and encounter with the Intersection board. The intersected teams had to break through a line of four Turkish oil wrestlers to grab a Turkish lamp off a table, to receive the next clue. Afterwards, they were no longer Intersected.

Leg 7 (Turkey → France → Cuba)

While at Paris, teams visited the Passerelle Debilly overlooking the famous Eiffel Tower.

Airdate: 9 July 2012

• Istanbul (Atatürk International Airport) to Paris, France (Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport)
• Paris (Le Cordon Bleu)
• Paris (Rungis Wholesale Market)
• Paris (Alléosse Cheese Shop (in French))
• Paris (Debilly Footbridge)
• Paris (Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport) to Havana, Cuba (José Martí International Airport)
• Havana (Tropicana Nightclub)
• Havana (Hotel Nacional)

In this culinary-themed Roadblock, one team member had to sign up for a cooking class and bake a batch of soufflés. Once their batch passed the satisfaction of the director of that school, he would hand them their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At Rungis Wholesale Market, teams have to search among 230 hectares (570 acres) of stalls to find Jean-Marie and collect a 30 kilograms (66 lb) wheel of cheese from his cheese cellar, then deliver it to the Alléosse Cheese Shop 25 kilometres (16 mi) away. If they deliver it without damaging the cheese, they would receive their next clue.
• At the Debilly Footbridge, teams had to find a painter who would hand them their next clue
• Upon arriving in Havana, teams had to find a marked classic car located outside of the airport and drive themselves to the Tropicana Nightclub where they had to find the lead showgirl to find their next clue.

Leg 8 (Cuba)

One of the Detour choices in Havana where teams delivered a glass of daiquiris to the infamous Hotel Ambos Mundos.

Airdate: 16 July 2012

• Havana (Marina Hemingway)
• Havana (Old Havana – Plaza de la Catedral or El Floridita Bar and Hotel Ambos Mundos)
• Australia, Jagüey Grande (Old Sugar Cane Mill – Crocodile Farm)
• Jagüey Grande (Hotel Villa Guamá next to Laguna del Tesoro)

For this Roadblock, One team member had to use a compass and a map to locate a fishing boat with the old man of the sea on board. If they couldn't find the boat, they had the option to catch a fish instead. If they find the boat correctly, he would receive their next clue. They were also given a time limit to complete the Roadblock; if they failed to complete either goal within the time limit, they would incur a 4-hour penalty.

The Detour in the leg was a choice of Che Puzzle or Daiquiri Guzzle. In Che Puzzle, teams had to complete a 90 piece puzzle of Che Guevara at the Plaza de la Catedral in Old Havana to receive their next clue. In Daiquiri Guzzle, teams had to make six daiquiris at the Floridita bar and then deliver them through a festival with only one hand to Ernest Hemingway's old room at the Hotel Ambos Mundos. If none of the daiquiris had spilt past a red line or had been dropped along the way, teams would receive their next clue. If at least one daiquiri was spilt and damaged, they would must go back to the bar and make the daiquiris again.

Additional tasks

• At the Marina Hemingway, teams signed up for one of four boats departing 30 minutes apart starting from 8:00am the following day and searched the ground complex for their next clue.
• After the Detour, teams have to drive to the village of Australia and made their way to an old sugar cane mill where they had to feed crocodiles in a marked enclosure and catch a crocodile to receive their next clue. Afterwards, teams then had to travel on foot and by a marked boat across the Laguna del Tesoro nearby Hotel Villa Guamá to the next Pit Stop.

Leg 9 (Cuba → Canada)

Upon arriving in Vancouver, teams went to Stanley Park to participate in a First Nations ritual near the park's totem poles.

Airdate: 23 July 2012

• Havana (El Capitolio)
• Havana (José Martí International Airport) to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Vancouver International Airport)
• Vancouver (Stanley Park)
• Vancouver (Vancouver Rowing Club)
  • Vancouver (Nicole Sleeth Art Studio)
• Vancouver (Harbour Green Park Dock)
• North Vancouver (The Learning Lodge near Rice Lake^[6])
• North Vancouver (Grouse Mountain)
• Vancouver (Portside – CRAB Park)

During the Pit Stop, all teams were moved to El Capitolio in Havana to begin this leg of the race. In this Fast Forward, one team travelled to the art studio and had to strip nude and model in a life drawing class in front of six artists. Once they had posed for a predetermined amount of time, the art teacher would hand them the Fast Forward award.

Teams who did not choose the Fast Forward had to complete the lumber-inspired Detour, a choice of Toss and Tumble. Both Detours must travel to The Learning Lodge near Rice Lake and required teams to dress up in lumberjack clothing. In Toss, teams had to throw an axe at a target from 6 feet (1.8 m) away. They needed to get 10 shots out of 40 before they could receive their next clue. In Tumble, teams had to take part in logrolling and roll a marked log so that it rotated 10 times in a pool of water in order to receive their next clue. If a team member fell off the log, they were required to swap with their partner and try again.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to stand on top of a cable car riding up towards the top of the mountain, while grabbing three flags as they passed in order to receive their next clue. If a team failed to capture all three flags in one ascent of the cable car, they had to try again; if they were unsuccessful after three ascents, teams would incur a 4-hour time penalty.

Additional tasks

• At Stanley Park where they had to find the totem poles and participated in a traditional Squamish First Nations dance before receiving a blessing by the chief, along with their next clue. The clue instructed teams had to collect two paddles and take them to the Vancouver Rowing Club.
• At the Vancouver Rowing Club, teams had to pick a kayak and travel to Harbour Green Park Dock to decipher a word puzzle using the maritime flags which each represent a letter to decode the phrase ("Three sheets to the wind, splice to the mainbrace, weigh anchor and set sail"). If they decoded the phrase, they would receive their next clue.

Leg 10 (Canada)

Teams ended this leg of the race in Alberta at the Banff Springs Hotel inside the Banff National Park.

Airdate: 13 August 2012

• Vancouver (Westin Bayshore Hotel) to Banff, Alberta
• Banff (Wild Bill's Saloon)
• Canmore (Rundle Mountain)
• Lake Louise (The Lodge of The Ten Peaks)
• Banff National Park (Great Divide Trail)
• Lake Louise (Chateau Lake Louise)
• Banff (Banff Springs Hotel)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to do climbing the ice 25 metres (82 ft) at the top of a frozen waterfall using an axe on the scale cliff to grab their next clue.

The Detour was a choice of Search or Ski. Both Detour options required teams to drive themselves to The Lodge of The Ten Peaks in Lake Louise and pick up skiing equipment before taking the ski lift up the mountain. In Search, teams had to use an avalanche rescue beacon to search a marked area for a transmitter buried beneath the snow. Once teams dig up this transmitter, they could exchange it for their next clue. In Ski, both team members had to go through a slalom skiing course. They have to pass through all the flags to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Westin Bayshore Hotel, teams had to sign up for one of two buses to their next destination: Banff, Alberta, departing an hour apart.
• Upon arriving in Banff, teams traveled to Wild Bill's Saloon where they had to ride a mechanical bull for a combined total of sixty seconds. Teams had an option to hang on the bull for an even longer time; the team with the longest time would have a 30-minute advantage in the next task, the Roadblock.
• After the Detour, teams have to travel though the Great Divide Trail in Banff National Park where they had to lead a team of dog sledges around a 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) course to find their next clue
• At the Chateau Lake Louise, teams had to extract a clue from an ice sculpture with only the tools provided. The tools were essentially random items, such as a shoe, that they were required to use in order to receive their next clue.

Leg 11 (Canada → China)

Teams visited the famous Great Wall of China and the Mutianyu section for the Roadblock.

Airdate: 14 August 2012

• Banff to Calgary (Calgary International Airport)
• Calgary (Calgary International Airport) to Beijing, China (Beijing Capital International Airport)
• Beijing (Ghost Street [Chinese: 鬼街; pinyin: Guǐjiē])
• Beijing (Wuzhisheng Foot Reflection Health Center)
• Beijing (Marco Polo Bridge)
• Great Wall of China (Mutianyu)
• Beijing (Forbidden City — Tàimiào Temple)

The Detour was a choice between Waiter or Wheel. In Waiter, teams had to take food orders from customers in a restaurant in Mandarin Chinese and recite each order to the chef. If they pronounced the orders correctly, the chef would give them the meals to serve to the customers. Once every customer on the table received their meal, they would receive their next clue. In Wheel, teams had to spin a wheel with different Chinese delicacies on it, and teams must finish the dish the wheel stopped on. After each team member ate two dishes, they would receive their next clue.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to figure out how to pass through nine rows of warriors who were guarding their next clue. In each row of warriors, only one warrior would let them through and the others would block them. If the team member was blocked by a warrior three times, they would have to go back to the first row and start again. Once they passed through all nine rows, they would receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Ghost Street, teams must find a marked stall for their next clue.
• At Wuzhisheng Foot Reflection Health Center, where each team member endure a continuous ten-minute foot massage, five minutes for each foot, to receive the next clue. In the event teams were unable to bear the painful part of the massage, they would tap one side of their chair and say "uncle" to signal the masseuse to stop; however, the consequence of doing so would result in restarting the massage from the beginning.
• At Marco Polo Bridge, teams had to count the number of lion head statues. Once teams provided the correct number, they would receive their next clue.

Leg 12 (China → Australia)

Lake McKenzie located in Fraser Island, was the location of the final Roadblock and the finish line of the race.

Airdate: 15 August 2012

• Beijing (Beijing Capital International Airport) to Guilin (Guilin Liangjiang International Airport)
• Guilin (Guihu Lake)
• Guilin (Lijiang River)
• Yangshuo (Kindergarten School)
• Yangshuo (Bai Ha Market)
• Guilin (Guilin Liangjiang International Airport) to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Brisbane Airport)
• Brisbane (Kangaroo Point – Captain Burke Park)
• Brisbane (Dutton Park – Boggo Road Gaol)
• Brisbane (Archerfield – Archerfield Airport) to Fraser Island (75 Mile Beach)
• Fraser Island (Lake McKenzie)

During the Pit Stop, all teams flew from Beijing to Guilin and they had to begin at Guihu Lake for the final Leg of the race. The final Detour of the race, requires teams to travel to a Kindergarten School in Yangshuo, to complete either Teach or Learn. In Teach, teams had to choose one of the Kindergarten students and teach them 10 Australian slang words. Once their student correctly recited all 10 words to the teacher, they would receive their next clue. In Learn, teams had to choose one of the Kindergarten students who would teach them how to say the same 10 Australian slang words in Mandarin Chinese. If teams recited all 10 words correctly to the teacher, they would receive their next clue.

In the final Roadblock of the race, one team member had to wade out to the five clue boxes in the lake which each contained a multiple choice question based on previous experiences on the race. Then they had to place coloured rings around the clue boxes which corresponded to the correct answer. If they got all five questions right, they would receive the final clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Lijiang River, teams had to don traditional fishermen costumes before paddling out to the river and asking each fisherman in Mandarin Chinese if they had their next clue. If a team asked the wrong fisherman for the clue, they would be given a fish instead.
• At the Bai Sha Market, teams had to locate a marked stall and convince 10 locals to buy a vegetable slicer for no less than ¥5 each, to receive their next clue.
• Upon arriving in Brisbane, teams had to search the airport car park for a marked vehicle containing their next clue, sending them to Kangaroo Point and find Captain Burke Park to search their next clue, directing them to Boggo Road Gaol.
• At the Boggo Road Gaol, one team member was locked in a cell while the other team member had to answer five questions about the teams of the race. Then that team member was locked in a cell while their teammate had to answer the same five questions. If both team members answers were a perfect match, they would receive their next clue.
• At Archerfield Airport, teams must board a charter flight to their final destination: Fraser Island. Once in Fraser Island, teams made their way to 75 Mile Beach for their next clue.
• After completing the Roadblock, teams must dig up a treasure chest containing A$250,000 within a marked area and carry it to the nearby Finish Line.