The Amazing Race Australia 3

Development and Filming

The starting line for The Amazing Race Australia v New Zealand takes place near Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

On August 14, 2012, the Seven Network announced the show was looking for contestants for its third series.^[1] Despite calling for contestant applications, the show was absent in the Seven Network's 2013 up fronts and was replaced by an unsuccessful revival of the Australian version of The Mole.^[2]

The show was renewed again on 22 October 2013.^[3] It was also announced that Seven's in-house production company, Seven Productions, would produce the season. ActiveTV, the production company involved in the show's first two seasons, would no longer be involved.^[4]

Filming began in March 2014 at Uluru in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The race travelled across six continents and ten countries covering over 90,000 kilometres (56,000 mi),^[5] marking the first time that one of the international spin-offs of The Amazing Race traveled to all six inhabited continents. This race course was the longest among the spin-offs (third overall behind two of the American courses).

Replacing Marked for Elimination, the Speed Bump was introduced during this third season. It required the team that finished last in a non-elimination leg to perform an additional task at some point during the next leg. The Express Pass returned for the first time since the first season, allowing the team that placed first in the first leg to skip any later task in the race.^[6] The Salvage Pass also returned; however, it was awarded to the team that arrived first in the sixth leg rather than the first.

Casting

Applications for the third series originally opened during the second series, despite the show not being officially renewed by Seven Network. When the show was officially renewed for 2014, applications opened again, including to citizens of New Zealand. Applicants who applied previously were given a chance to update their application. This second round of applications ended on 22 December 2013.

Notable Contestants

Jesse O'Brien was previously a contestant on the first season of New Zealand Idol. He withdrew from season one to attend to the birth of his daughter. He then returned for the second season, where he placed fourth.^[7] He participated in the race with his wife, Cat O'Brien.

Elizabeth Grant, a well-known Australian anthropologist and academic, participated in the race with her son, Todd. She was injured during Leg 2 of the race and was subsequently eliminated.

During Leg 6, Tyson Smith proposed to Sally Yamamoto on their fourth anniversary. The couple finished in second place.

Marketing

Kathmandu, John West Tuna and Virgin Australia were the sponsors for this season.

Leg 1 (Australia → New Zealand)

On the first leg of the race, teams white-water rafted down New Zealand's Rangitata River.

Airdate: 4 August 2014 (AU); 5 August 2014 (NZ)

• Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Northern Territory, Australia (Uluru) (Starting Line)
• Alice Springs (Ayers Rock Airport) to Christchurch, New Zealand (Christchurch International Airport)
• Christchurch (Cardboard Cathedral)
• Geraldine (Rangitata River – Rangitata Rafts)
• Peel Forest (Rata Peaks Station)
• Geraldine (Southern Alps)

The race's first Roadblock required one racer to navigate a tractor through a course and move four bales of hay into the marked area. Once this had been completed they had to go to a sheep paddock and find the sheep with the exact match of the other half of the ring from the rafting challenge.

Additional Tasks

• At the starting line, the ten teams were divided into five teams of two groups based on their nationality (five Australian teams and five New Zealander teams) to compete in a "Trans-Tasman tug of war". The first nation to grab their national flag from below the rope would be given a 10-minute head-start to the airport.
• At Cardboard Cathedral, teams signed up for one of three departure times for the following morning; 8:00 a.m., 8:15 a.m., or 8:30 a.m. The next morning teams had to find marked vehicles which had a clue on the windshield.
• At Rangitata Rafts at Rangitata River, teams had to raft down grade five rapids and find one half of a ring from The Lord of the Rings buried in the sand.
• The clues combined from both tasks told teams to "Go West to the Pit Stop"; teams had to figure out that they must go to the western direction of Southern Alps for the Pit Stop.

Leg 2 (New Zealand → Cambodia)

For the Roadblock in Cambodia, teams visited Angkor Wat where they counted the temple's monks.

Airdate: 11 August 2014 (AU); 12 August 2014 (NZ)

• Christchurch (Christchurch International Airport) to Siem Reap, Cambodia (Siem Reap International Airport)
• Siem Reap (Penny Lane – Old Market)
• Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
• Siem Reap (Tjoup Snae Restaurant)
• Siem Reap (Tonlé Sap – Fishing Port or Chong Khneas)
• Siem Reap (Baphuon)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to count monks wearing red and yellow necklaces. Once all monks were counted they collected an offering to present to two other monks inside the temple. The racer had to pick one of the two monks to answer to, but one of the monks would lie even if the racer had the right answer. Once the truth-telling monk was given the correct answer, he then would give them their next clue.

The first Detour of the race was a choice between Shrimp and Shoot. In Shrimp, teams had to collect shrimp from fish traps in the Tonlé Sap using traditional methods, reaching a total of 750 grams (26 oz) of shrimp. Once they had enough shrimps, the fisherman would hand over their next clue. In Shoot, teams had to travel to the floating village of Chong Khneas and find the local pool hall where they had to level out a pool table and then sink five balls while competing against a local player to receive their next clue.

Additional Tasks

• At the Psah Chas market, each team had to eat a total of seven fried tarantulas with the requirement that each individual team member eats at least three. Once they finished eating the vendor handed them their next clue.
• At the Tjoup Snae Restaurant, teams had to mark down the reading that their step counter had accumulated so far.

Additional Information

• The clue at Psah Chas also contained a step counter that teams had to wear for the duration of the leg. The team with the closest number of steps between team members received a special prize at the end of the leg.

Leg 3 (Cambodia → Thailand)

The island of Koh Poda served as the Pit Stop for this leg of the Race.

Airdate: 18 August 2014 (AU); 19 August 2014 (NZ)

• Poipet (Border Crossing) to Bangkok, Thailand (Mo Chit Mai)
• Bangkok (Now Travel)
• Bangkok (Don Mueang International Airport) to Krabi (Krabi Airport)
• Ao Nang (Golden Beach Resort Massage Parlor)
• Ao Phang Nga National Park (Phra Nang Beach)
• Ao Phang Nga National Park (Krabi Real Rocks Climbing shop, East Railay Beach)
• Ao Phang Nga National Park (Chicken Island)
• Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park (Koh Poda)

The Detour was a choice between Climb Up and Drill Down. For both Detours teams were required to travel by longtail boat to Phra Nang Beach. In Climb Up, teams had to scale a sheer rock face to retrieve a race flag. Once both team members had obtained a flag they could exchange their flags for their next clue. They climbed with Real Rocks Climbing School located in Railay Beach under the expertise of a local climber named Tik who oversaw all the challenges. In Drill Down, teams had to first build a hand drill and then use it to extract enough coconut juice from a pile of coconuts to fill a container to a marked line. Once the juice reached the line, they received their next clue.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to travel to a marked area of the sea in their boat and dive down to retrieve golden clams from the seafloor. Some clams contained pearls which, when opened, had their next clue.

Additional Information

• While heading to Krabi, teams were instructed to travel by taxi to the border crossing in Poipet, cross it on foot, and then take a bus to reach Bangkok. Teams then could book airline tickets to reach Krabi.

Leg 4 (Thailand → Namibia)

While in Namibia, teams had to sing in a local San language with the Bushmen children.

Airdate: 25 August 2014 (AU); 26 August 2014 (NZ)

• Krabi (Krabi Airport) to Windhoek, Namibia (Hosea Kutako International Airport)
• Khomas Region (Na'an Kuse Wildlife Sanctuary – near University of Namibia (Neudamm College))
• Khomas Region (Na'an Kuse Wildlife Sanctuary – Clever Cubs School)
• Khomas Region (Na'an Kuse Wildlife Sanctuary – Watering Hole)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to cut up a pile of offal and, using an example, prepare the correct quantity to feed to a pride of lions. Once they had fed all their meat to the lions, and returned with empty buckets, they would receive their next clue.

The Detour was a choice between Pipe and Poo; both required teams to travel to a local village by donkey cart. In Pipe, teams had to use a traditional method of making fire. Once they had built enough fire to allow the village chief to light his pipe, they would receive their next clue. In Poo, each team member had to participate in a local game called bokdrool, which required them to spit pellets made up of elephant dung across a line which was 8 metres (26 ft) away from their start point. Once each member spit a pellet across the line, they received their next clue.

Additional Tasks

• At Na'an Kuse Wildlife Sanctuary, teams had to lead two baboons along a marked path. Once both baboons made it along the path teams received their next clue.
• At Clever Cubs School, teams had to learn a song in the local San language and perform it with the Bushmen children to receive their next clue.

Leg 5 (Namibia → Russia)

The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg is the fifth Pit Stop of the Race.

Airdate: 25 August 2014 (AU); 2 September 2014 (NZ)

• Windhoek (Hosea Kutako International Airport) to Saint Petersburg, Russia (Pulkovo Airport)
• Saint Petersburg (Battleship Aurora)
• Saint Petersburg (Nevsky Prospect – Kazan Cathedral)
• Saint Petersburg (Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace)
• Saint Petersburg (Taleon Imperial Hotel (in Russian) – Imperial Ballroom)
• Saint Petersburg (Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood)

In this Roadblock, the team member had to decipher the message that was being communicated by the ship commander from the top of the battleship in semaphore. The message was written in the Russian Cyrillic alphabet and had to be transliterated to the Roman alphabet. Once the message was deciphered (Russian: Не́вский проспе́кт, tr. Nevskiy Prospekt), teams received their next clue.

The Detour was a choice between Cossack and Coat Rack. In Cossack, teams had to learn the traditional Cossack dance. Once the instructor was satisfied with their effort, they received their next clue. In Coat Rack, teams had to search through a pile of over three hundred tags to find the one that was missing. They had to then search the coats in the coat room for the missing tag. Once they handed the correct missing tag to the attendant, she handed them their next clue.

Additional Tasks

• The clue received at the Roadblock was simply a photograph of Kazan Cathedral, leaving teams to figure out that their next destination was Nevsky Prospect.
• At the Imperial Ballroom at Taleon Imperial Hotel, one team member from each of the intersected teams had to enter a vault full of highly sensitive lasers to retrieve a jeweled egg. Once they got the egg, they had to find a gold figurine of Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood inside it, leaving teams to figure out that it was the location of their next Pit Stop.

Leg 6 (Russia)

This leg's "Nation vs. Nation" had teams playing with Russia's traditional doll, the matryoshka.

Airdate: 1 September 2014 (AU); 9 September 2014 (NZ)

• Saint Petersburg (Moskovsky railway station) to Kostroma (Kostroma New railway station (in Russian))
• Kostroma (Museum of Wooden Architecture (in Russian))
• Kostroma (Town Square (in Russian))
• Kostroma (Kostroma old railway station – Service area)
• Neysky District (Kotkishevo Village – North Hope Sled Dog Center)
• Kostroma (Confluence of Kostroma River and Volga River overlooking Ipatiev Monastery)

The Detour was a choice between Boil and Build. In Boil, teams had to fill a Russian outdoor bathing kettle with water until it reached the marked line and also use wood and paper scraps to light a fire underneath it. Once the kettle was full, and the fire was going, teams had to submerge themselves in the icy water before receiving their next clue. In Build, teams had to stack all of the firewood provided, following the traditional method. Their stack had to fill the marked area. Once their stack was complete, teams receive their next clue.

In this Roadblock, teams traveled to the sled dog center where one team member had to ride a dog sled with a Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute around a slalom course through the forest to receive their next clue.

Additional task

• At the Museum of Wooden Architecture, in the second "Nation vs Nation" task, each team selected a matryoshka doll and then had to search among hundreds of other nesting dolls in five separate houses to find the four smaller pieces that belonged to the one they chose. Once all members of their country's team had completed their matryoshka dolls, they all received their next clue.

Leg 7 (Russia → Portugal)

Upon arriving at Lisbon, teams visited Belém Tower and perform a Fado song.

Airdate: 8 September 2014 (AU); 16 September 2014 (NZ)

• Moscow (Orekhovo-Borisovo Metochion)
• Moscow (Domodedovo International Airport) to Lisbon, Portugal (Lisbon Portela Airport)
• Lisbon (Belém Tower)
• Lisbon (Fábrica Sant'Anna) to (Largo das Portas do Sol (in Portuguese))
• Lisbon (Rua de São Miguel and Beco do Pocinho or Calçadinha de São Miguel)
• Lisbon (Largo do Chafariz de Dentro (in Spanish))
• Cascais (Fisherman's Beach (in Portuguese))
• Cascais (Restaurante A Económica)
• Sintra (Pena National Palace)

During the Pit Stop, teams were transported back to Orekhovo-Borisovo Metochion in Moscow to start Leg 7. The Detour was a choice between Wet and Dry. In Wet, teams made their way to a section of the Lisbon streets celebrating the Agitagueda Art Festival, where thousands of umbrellas were hung above the streets. Teams were tasked with counting all of the yellow umbrellas (297). When they wrote the correct answer on a chalkboard and presented it to a judge at a café in Rua da Regueira, they got their next clue. In Dry, teams had to find a group of women on the streets who had a laundry basket for them with their name attached. They then had to search among the clotheslines above the nearby streets for the article of clothing with the same name tag. If the clothing was found, they would receive their next clue.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to pick up a large fish, mussels and octopuses and carry them across town to Restaurante A Económica. They had to bring at least 5 kilograms (11 lb) of octopus with them. Once they delivered their seafood, they would then be served a traditional Portuguese fish stew, cataplana, which they had to eat to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At Belém Tower, teams had to memorize and perform a traditional Portuguese song, Fado do Cansaço. If they could sing all of the Portuguese words correctly with the music on sync, without making any mistakes, they would receive their next clue from the famous Fado singer Cuca Roseta.
• At Largo do Chafariz de Dentro, teams picked up sport cars across Museu do Fado (in Portuguese) for their next clue, which instructed them to head to Praia dos Pescadores (known as "Fisherman's Beach") in Cascais.

Leg 8 (Portugal → Croatia)

The Old Town of Dubrovnik in Croatia was highlighted during this leg, including Fort Bokar for the Roadblock.

Airdate: 15 September 2014 (AU); 23 September 2014 (NZ)

• Lisbon (Lisbon Portela Airport) to Dubrovnik, Croatia (Dubrovnik Airport)
• Dubrovnik (Ploča Gate)
• Dubrovnik (Minčeta Tower)
• Dubrovnik (Old Harbour)
  • Dubrovnik (Dominican Monastery (in Croatian))
    • Dubrovnik (Three local churches and Muški Frizerski Salon)
  • Dubrovnik (Croata Necktie near Dubrovnik Cathedral)
• Dubrovnik (Big Onofrio Fountain (in Croatian))
• Dubrovnik (Fort Bokar)
• Dubrovnik (Fort Saint John)
• Dubrovnik (Fort St. Lawrence)

For the Fast Forward, one team had to travel to Dominican Monastery and collect three prayer cards from three different local churches. The teams were then to deliver them to Muški Frizerski Salon to get a tonsure haircut (for men) or a nun haircut (for women). Once both team members' hair had been cut, they received their Fast Forward clue.

For the only Speed Bump of the race, Ashleigh & Jarrod had to travel to nearby Dubrovnik Cathedral and both properly knot a necktie on each other (one was a bow tie, the other was a four-in-hand). Once they were done they could continue racing.

In the leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to abseil face-first jumping down the side of the fort to receive their next clue. The leg's second Roadblock required the team member who did not participate in the abseiling Roadblock to climb up the fort to receive their next clue.

Additional Tasks

• At Ploča Gate, teams had to carry two stones through Dubrovnik's main street and up to Watchman's Keep at Minčeta Tower. Once there, they had to climb stairs to the city guard and were asked the question, "How many steps did you count to reach me?" If they wrote the right answer (139) on a chalkboard he would give them their next clue.
• At Old Harbour, teams signed up for one of three departure times, fifteen minutes apart from each other, starting at 8:30 a.m.
• After the first Roadblock teams had to walk along the city walls back to the south gate of the Old Harbour for their next clue. They were then instructed to walk through Fort Saint John for another clue.
• After the second Roadblock, teams walked to the Fort St. Lawrence for the Pit Stop.

Leg 9 (Croatia → Argentina)

In Buenos Aires, teams visited El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a former theater that was turned into a bookstore.

Airdate: 15 September 2014 (AU); 30 September 2014 (NZ)

• Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik Airport) to Buenos Aires, Argentina (Ministro Pistarini International Airport)
• Luján (Estancia Las Bétulas (in Spanish))
• Buenos Aires (El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore)
• Buenos Aires (Pasaje de la Defensa (in Spanish) or La Bombonera and La Recoleta Cemetery)
• Tigre (Argentina Rowing Club)
• Tigre (Tigre Rowing Club)

For this Roadblock, one team member had to direct a horse-drawn carriage to a marked polo field. Then they had to prepare a polo horse for competition by properly dressing and saddling it with precision and concentration. They had to pass inspection by a local polo player to receive their next clue.

The Detour, which paid tribute to the cultural heritage of Argentina's history, was a choice of Tango and Tribute. In both tasks teams had to begin it by picking up a specific book from a nearby table. In Tango, teams had to make their way to Pasaje de la Defensa, where both team members had to learn how to perform a complex Tango routine. If they could dance to the satisfaction of a judge teams would get their next clue. In Tribute, teams had to search the specific page in their book for a location. First they would travel to Diego Maradona's home stadium La Bombonera. There they found a football player who gave them the challenge in Spanish ("Encuentra en el Libro el hospital done nació Diego Maradona y Volver con la respuesta", or in English, "Find in the book the hospital where Diego Maradona was born and come back with the answer."). The answer was Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Evita; the football player then handed them a picture of Evita Perón directing them to the site of her grave, La Recoleta Cemetery, where they would find their next clue.

Additional Tasks

• At the Estancia Las Bétulas, teams searched the entire countryside for their next clue.
• The clue after the Roadblock instructed teams to find Buenos Aires' "most dramatic bookstore," El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a former theatre which was converted to a bookstore. There the teams searched for their next clue.
• At the Argentina Rowing Club in Tigre, teams had to row a canoe upriver to the Pit Stop at the Tigre Rowing Club.

Leg 10 (Argentina → United States → Australia)

Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell National Park, was the site of the final Roadblock and the finish line of The Amazing Race Australia v New Zealand.

Airdate: 25 September 2014 (AU); 7 October 2014 (NZ)

• Buenos Aires (Ministro Pistarini International Airport) to Los Angeles, California, United States (Los Angeles International Airport)
• Los Angeles (Hollywood Boulevard – Hollywood Walk of Fame)
• Los Angeles (Ray's Photo Lab)
• Los Angeles (Pink's Hot Dogs)
• Los Angeles (Los Angeles International Airport) to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Melbourne Airport)
• (Helicopter) Melbourne (Moorabbin – Moorabbin Airport) to Great Otway National Park
• Great Otway National Park (Otway Fly Treetop Walk – Cantilever)
• Port Campbell National Park (Twelve Apostles)
• Port Campbell (Fishing Docks)
• Port Campbell (Port Campbell Creek)
• Port Campbell National Park (Loch Ard Gorge)
• Port Campbell National Park (Loch Ard Gorge – Muttonbird Island Lookout)

In the final Roadblock of the race, one team member had to match an item above the barrels that were worn or used by Pit Stop greeters who were encountered throughout the race, and place them in the correct order of their respective cities and country. Once they had the correct individuals in the correct order, they received their final clue.

Additional Tasks

• At the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, teams had to get a photo with three movie characters who were portrayed by Australian-born actors. Then teams had to check the photos at Ray's Photo Lab. If they were correct they got their next clue.
• At Pink's Hot Dogs, teams had to eat a traditional Pink's hot dog to receive their next clue.
• Upon arriving in Melbourne, teams went to Moorabbin Airport and had to take a helicopter to Great Otway National Park.
• At the Great Otway National Park, teams had to search the Otway Fly Treetop Walk for their next clue, which was located at its cantilever. There they were instructed to begin an "Air, Land & Sea" task within all elements. For the first task teams had to search from their helicopter overlooking the Twelve Apostles, for a boat on land with the word "Loch" on it. When they found the word, they were set down to find a local fisherman at the fishing docks who gave them their next clue for the second task. Their second task was to find an "Ard" in a large sandcastle and to paddle out to Port Campbell Creek and collect their third item, "Gorge". At the end of the task they had to figure out the next location based on the items they found; it was Loch Ard Gorge.
• After completing the Roadblock, teams were instructed to search the grounds on foot to find the Muttonbird Island Lookout for the Finish Line.

Additional Information

• On the flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne, all teams were given a free upgrade to Virgin Australia's business class. Along the way teams were given the challenge to name the locations on the Virgin Australia's route map. The best performing team on this task won a special prize.

Australian Ratings

All ratings data in Australia are taken from the five major metropolitan centres. Data from regional areas is not accounted for. Due to poor programming from Channel 7 there is no set time-slot, but the start time for the show was around 8:40 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. Times are taken from Electronic Programming Guides which still may not be accurate as to the real start time. Despite the lower ratings compared to the previous seasons, the show rated well in time shift, often being among the highest viewership gainers for the night.