Following three decades of involvement in the Australian film industry, husband and wife filmmakers Charles and Elsa Chauvel transferred their talents to the burgeoning medium of television

Australian Walkabout (often referred to as Walkabout) was first broadcast locally on ABC TV, premiering to Sydney audiences on 31 August 1958. The series later debuted in Britain on BBC TV on 4 October 1958, reportedly pulling in a seven million audience. Viewer reaction in both countries was positive, with repeat screenings following, though the BBC’s decision to initially schedule the series post 11pm on Saturday nights lead to some complaints. Though produced in colour, episodes were first viewed in B&W, colour transmission still years away for both countries.