Tony Robinson's Time Travels

This episode explores the extraordinary lengths people will go to in search of freedom, as Tony meets some of history's greatest escape artists. In 1800s Australia, destiny hinges on the flip of a coin as an influential pioneer risks his life in a duel. Next Tony reveals the bizarre disguise a convict adopted during his dash for freedom from Tasmania's notorious Port Arthur penal settlement. In the 20th century Tony follows a harrowing chase across Victoria involving a famous racehorse and a gang with murder on its mind. From a daring World War II jailbreak to a well-timed political escape from a nuclear crisis, this is a rollicking time-travel ride.

Uncanny coincidences are scattered throughout history, leading to the downfall of empires and the good fortune of everyday citizens. In this episode Tony uncovers how a deadly medieval plague was able to infiltrate a thriving Australian town in the 1900s. He ponders the destiny of a group of World War II soldiers who, by signing their names on a wall, enlisted them into a very special club. Tony reveals how a serious error of judgement nearly damned the lives of everyone in Australia's First Fleet, but that a happy accident and an unexpected visitor proved the catalysis for their salvation. And he gets an eerie sense of déjà vu when a fluke of time and place links two world wars with the same gun and the same officer. Destiny, chance and serendipity all play their part in shaping our history.

From calculating killers to merciless victors, in this episode Tony seeks to answer why some people will stop at nothing to get what they desire. He travels to 1950s New Zealand to uncover what triggered the killing of an innocent victim by two friends and why the disturbing case captured headlines around the world. Tony investigates a 17th century Dutch shipwreck off the coast of Australia that caused one man to carry out a hideous crime on an unimaginable scale. Tony reveals the motivations behind the assassination attempt on Governor Arthur Phillip's life, and what the ramifications were for the future of the fledgling Australian colony. Tony journeys to 1930s Adelaide to witness the ruthless and brutal tactic deployed by rival countrymen, which outraged a nation and caused a rift between allies. And Tony goes on the trail of the first camel imported to Australia to understand the terrible deed the beast was found guilty of.

Catastrophes capture both the tragedy of life and the strength of the human spirit. In this episode Tony examines the series of events that lead to disasters and the legacies it leaves behind. From a daredevil acrobat risking his life in 19th century Sydney, to the ill-fated Burke and Wills cross-continental expedition. In New Zealand Tony unearths long lost treasures that have resurfaced in the wake of Christchurch's destructive earthquake. He meets a woman who survived a maritime tragedy and built a poignant memorial. And he comes across a bizarre gathering on a quiet South Australian beach in 1976, where everyone is just waiting for calamity to strike. Whether it's the instigator of catastrophe or a victim of tragedy, disasters test humanity to the core.

Secrets damage governments and change the destiny of empires. In this episode Tony reveals the extraordinary measures powerful people take, to deceive the public and cover up the truth. Tony exposes the untold story of a wartime mutiny in Queensland, deemed so dangerous an American president suppressed it for 70 years. He shows how an 18th century celestial event triggered an epic seafaring journey to the other side of the world, and the covert mission contained in the captain's sealed orders. In the Northern Territory Tony descends into an underground bunker where he learns of a highly secretive 1950s monitoring system. From the machinations behind the Whitlam dismissal, to the curious case of a cold war spy in country Victoria, Tony delivers fascinating new insights into our hidden past.

Light bulb moments have transformed our planet, with the rapid pace of change galvanising humanity's pioneering spirit. In this episode Tony discovers the inspirations, set backs and ingenuity that lead to astonishing feats of invention. To discover how powered flight first began Tony joins a group of enthusiasts in country Victoria, attempting to get a replica plane off the ground. In 1890s Western Australia Tony meets a humble engineer, whose ambitious solution to a desperate problem catapulted him to fame before ending in tragedy. Tony journeys from the culinary creation of an icon in Queensland, to the discovery in New South Wales of a forgotten backyard invention that helped win a war. And a visit to London in the 1880s reveals the bright sparks who formed a partnership that paved the way to an electronic golden age. The drama behind overcoming technological barriers proves that tenacity and good luck can revolutionise the world.

In this episode Tony travels through history to discover the ordinary men and women who rally against the odds. He takes us to 1820s Parramatta where he finds out how defiant female convicts challenged the penal system and won. In the 1970s, Tony reveals the unlikely protestors who try to save heritage buildings at the expense of future jobs. Journeying to early colonial Tasmania, Tony finds the indigenous people struggling against abduction, enslavement and annihilation. Tony travels to the 19th century where he shares a personal story about his forebears' fight to survive in poverty-stricken London. This episode shines a light on history's underdogs and the lengths they will go to in securing a better future.

History is full of rule breakers and rabble-rousers who stand up against injustice. In this episode Tony embarks upon a journey to find out just what it takes to make a difference. Time travelling to the first century A.D. in Britain, Tony tells how a Celtic Queen fought back Roman invaders. He visits 19th century New Zealand, to understand the women who struggled and won the right to be heard. Tony lands in the Victorian Goldfields to witness a pivotal moment in Australian history where democracy was born. He also meets a bunch of Melbournians who took to the streets in 1969, shouting expletives to protest against restrictive censorship laws. In the 1790s, Tony tracks down the indigenous warrior and his band of resistance fighters, who waged a guerrilla war in the early days of colonial Australia. Whether they fought for a country, a people, or an idea, these remarkable men and women changed history by challenging authority and fighting oppression.

The never-ending quest to satisfy humankind's senses has led to some magnificent culinary creations. But it's also caused great conflict - from the toppling of leaders to the creation of empires. In this episode Tony embarks on a gastronomic journey from the origins of the famous Pavlova dessert, to the discovery of one of the world's greatest wine regions. He time travels back to the early days of Australia's colonial settlement and learns how rum sparked a mutiny that brought down a government. A century later Tony finds out why something as common as beef caused one of the worst riots in Adelaide's history. And he shows how a 17th century corporate monster waged war across the globe, over the humble coffee bean and tealeaf. It's a remarkable a story of power, greed and corruption.

Over the centuries art has influenced societies and altered viewpoints. In this episode Tony takes a fascinating spin through time and space to determine art's impact on history. He journeys back to the 1930s, to unravel the mystery of a phantom graffiti artist covering an Australian city with an enigmatic single word. In New Zealand, Tony sees how a famous movie director's vision dramatically transformed his hometown. In the 1970s Tony examines a controversial decision, which turned Australia's capital into a destination for more than just politics. And in 19th century Melbourne Tony unveils a scandalous painting that challenged society's prudish Victorian era values. From a female war artist on the frontline who dared to challenge the status quo, to the graffiti that saved a city's once dark and notorious laneways, the force of art reflects and shapes our world in surprising ways.

Tests of combat skills and physical prowess have been used throughout history to entertain the masses and promote goodwill between nations. Warriors and elite athletes became heroes of the people in contests of epic scale and breathtaking pageantry. In this episode Tony journeys back to 776 BC to witness the birth of the ancient Olympic games, held in honour of the Greek god Zeus. He uncovers why the Roman Empire banned them and how the games reappeared in an English village thousands of years later. In World War II Tony discovers why a brawl involving 3000 men erupted with the arrival of U.S. soldiers on Australian soil, and what unique solution authorities devised to save a crucial alliance. Tony finds out how a courageous female swimmer in 1912 challenged the social taboo of mixed bathing to compete in Sweden. And a trip to 1850s reveals the origins of the 8 hour working day and how it ties into one of the world's longest running rivalries.