Australia with Simon Reeve (BBC2/HD | 9:30pm to 10:30pm | Sunday 26th May 2013)
Simon travels from Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory or ‘Top End’, across to the remote Cape York Peninsula, and on to the Great Barrier Reef. Simon sets off from Kakadu, the largest national park in the world, where the wildlife is under threat from the march of millions of poisonous cane toads. He joins a team of toad-busters catching the amphibian invaders – originally introduced to the country to kill pests. In Robertson barracks Simon meets Australia’s best – and only – tank regiment. They will soon host 6,000 American Marines – evidence of Australia’s strategic importance in the Asia Pacific region. Simon also heads out on patrol with Norforce, a unique military unit who use ancient aboriginal knowledge to help them survive in the bush. On the Cape York peninsula Simon joins scientists catching deadly box jellyfish, whose venom could prove to have great medicinal value. And on the Great Barrier Reef he dives in search of the starfish destroying coral.
Hebrides: Islands on the Edge (BBC1 Scotland/HD | 9pm to 10pm | Monday 27th May 2013)
Ewan McGregor narrates a landmark nature series focusing on the wildlife struggling to survive on the Hebridean Islands. In the final programme, a look at how the residents of the Hebrides learned to live side-by-side with their wild neighbours. Skye Ferryman Donnie MacDonald reveals that business can prosper when passengers can be treated to some on board entertainment in the form of white-tailed eagles hunting alongside the boat. Plus, how Andrew Abrahams is attempting to turn the Island of Colonsay into a nature reserve for bees, how the peatlands of Lewis and Innes Henderson inspire artist Alice Starmore, and the Coll fisherman who regularly has to steer his boat through a 100-strong group of basking sharks.
Town with Nicholas Crane: Saffron Walden (BBC2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 28th May 2013)
Nicholas Crane visits towns across the United Kingdom, revisiting the history of urban life in the British Isles. An attractive market town within easy commuting distance of London, Saffron Walden has some of the best preserved medieval architecture in the country. However its heritage is now under threat. Nicholas Crane discovers what gave this town its unique name and how the UK’s housing crisis is affecting its future.
Waterloo Road (BBC1/HD | 8pm to 9pm | Wednesday 29th May 2013)
School-based drama. Steve-O continues to terrorise the students at Waterloo Road. Connor faces Steve-O’s wrath as he defaults on a loan payment and Dynasty pays the ultimate price with a shock decision. Elsewhere, Christine contemplates moving on from the school and Lula makes an unlikely ally.
Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers (Channel 5 | 8pm to 9pm | Friday 31st May 2013)
Observational documentary series following one of the world’s biggest haulage firms. Transporting a huge replica plane causes a few headaches, while elsewhere heartstrings are tugged when a depot closes to relocate.
All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.