The Amazing Race Australia 2

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The Amazing Race Australia 2
Season 2
The Amazing Race Australia logo.jpg
Presented by Grant Bowler
No. of teams11
WinnerShane Haw & Andrew Thoday
No. of legs12
Distance traveled65,000 km (40,000 mi)
No. of episodes12
Release
Original network Seven Network
Original release30 May (2012-05-30) 
15 August 2012 (2012-08-15)
Additional information
Filming dates18 November (2011-11-18) 
13 December 2011 (2011-12-13)
Season chronology
 Previous
Season 1

The Amazing Race Australia 2 is the second season of The Amazing Race Australia , an Australian reality competition show based on the American series The Amazing Race . Hosted by Grant Bowler, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, in a race around the world to win the grand prize of A$250,000. The show was produced by activeTV Australia. This season visited five continents and nine countries and travelled over 65,000 kilometres (40,000 mi) during twelve legs. Starting in Sydney, racers travelled through the Philippines, India, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, France, Cuba, Canada and China before returning to Australia and finishing in Fraser Island. New twists introduced in this season include the U-Turn Vote, the Anonymous U-Turn, the Yield and the Salvage Pass, which was awarded to the winners of the first leg and gave them a choice between a one-hour head start or saving the last team from elimination. This season premiered on Australia's Seven Network on 30 May 2012, one week after the last episode of the twentieth season of the American version aired in Australia. The show moved back to its old Monday schedule at 7:30 p.m. on 25 June 2012. [1] The season then concluded on 15 August 2012.

Police officers Shane Haw and Andrew Thoday were the winners of this season, while workmates Paul Montgomery and Steve Scale finished in second place and cheerleader twins Michelle and Jo Troy finished in third place.

Production

Filming and Development

The 2nd season of The Amazing Race Australia started at the eastern approach of the Royal Botanic Garden alongside Farm Cove overlooking the Sydney Harbour skyline. Circular quay.jpg
The 2nd season of The Amazing Race Australia started at the eastern approach of the Royal Botanic Garden alongside Farm Cove overlooking the Sydney Harbour skyline.

On 17 July 2011, the Seven Network announced that the show was renewed for a second edition. [2]

Filming began on 18 November 2011, in Sydney. [3] This season travelled across four continents, nine countries and 17 cities and was over 65,000 kilometres (40,000 mi) long. The 2012 edition marked a first time visit by a Eurasian or Australian edition of the franchise to the Americas, including the first visit by an Amazing Race franchise to the nation of Cuba, a country the original American edition couldn't visit at the time as the United States embargo against Cuba prevented Americans from visiting the island.

Three new twists were introduced in this season. The Salvage Pass was awarded in the first leg, giving the recipient team a choice between a one-hour head start or saving the last team from elimination in that leg. A U-Turn vote in the fourth leg required all teams to vote for the team to be U-Turned at the start of the leg and an anonymous U-Turn in the fifth leg, where the team who elected to use it would remain anonymous. [4] In the sixth leg, a Yield was present for the first time in the Australian version.

Casting

Applications for the season ended on 19 August 2011. [5]

Broadcasting

The show was on hiatus from 30 July to 6 August 2012 to avoid clashing with the 2012 Summer Olympics. [6] The final three episodes aired from 13 August 2012 on consecutive nights. [7]

Marketing

Honda, Bing Lee and PUMP Water continued their sponsorship. The new sponsors for this series were Zuji Australia, [8] a sister company of Travelocity at the time, [9] and Swisse Vitamins.

Cast

On 20 April 2012, the teams were announced by the Seven Network. [10] The cast included Indigenous Australian cousins, cops, a pair of hairdressers, identical twins and St. George Illawarra Dragons cheerleaders Michelle and Jo Troy, [11] former Australian rules footballer Ross Thornton and his daughter Tarryn, [12] and the franchise's first disabled contestant, Sticky, who was born without a left forearm. Lucy & Emilia were originally cast for the previous series, but dropped out at the last minute after their mother was diagnosed with cancer. [13]

ContestantsAgeRelationshipHometownStatus
Adam Corowa30Cousins Coolangatta, Queensland Eliminated 1st
(in Delhi, India)
Dane Corowa29 Tweed Heads, New South Wales
Sue Bumback40Hairdressers Geraldton, Western Australia Eliminated 2nd
(in Jaipur, India)
Teresa Italiano44
Kym Bouckaert46Engaged Brisbane, Queensland Eliminated 3rd
(in Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Donna Verney42
Ross Thornton 55Father & Daughter Melbourne, Victoria Eliminated 4th
(in Istanbul, Turkey)
Tarryn Thornton25
Geoff "Sticky" Stick24Flatmates Launceston, Tasmania Eliminated 5th
(in Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba)
Sam Hay24
James Kingsbury23Dating Melbourne, Victoria Eliminated 6th
(in Vancouver, Canada)
Sarah Roza32
Lucy Pelosi36Sisters Sydney, New South Wales Eliminated 7th
(in Banff, Canada)
Emilia Pelosi30
Joseph Caristo22Brother & Sister Sydney, New South Wales Eliminated 8th
(in Inner Mongolia, China)
Grace Caristo21
Michelle Troy26Cheerleader Twins Sydney, New South Wales Third place
Jo Troy26
Paul Montgomery27Workmates Melbourne, Victoria Runners-up
Steve Scale29
Shane Haw43Cops Melbourne, Victoria Winners
Andrew Thoday35
Future appearances

In 2018, Sarah Roza appeared on the fifth season of Married at First Sight . [14] In 2025, Shane Scale participated in Deal or No Deal , with Andrew Thoday joining Shane as his companion on the podium. [15]

Results

The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.

Team placement (by leg)
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 + [b] 7 8 9 10 11 12
Shane & Andrew8th7th6th5th5th [c] 6th3rd2nd2nd1st3rd1st
Paul & Steve10th6th5th [d] 6th [e] 1st [c] 1st> [f] 1st1st1stƒ [g] 4th2nd2nd
Michelle & Jo7th2nd3rd4th2nd2nd< [f] 2nd3rd3rd3rd1st3rd
Joseph & Grace6th8th7th3rd4th3rd7th [h] [i] 6th4th2nd4th
Lucy & Emilia11th [j] 10th9th8th6th5th5th5th5th5th
James & Sarah3rd9th8th1st7th [k] 7th4th4th6th
Sticky & Sam5th1st1st2nd3rd4th6thε [l] 7th [m]
Ross & Tarryn1st§ [j] 4th2nd7th8th [k] 8th
Kym & Donna2nd5th4th [d] 9th
Sue & Teresa4th3rd10th
Adam & Dane9th11th [n]
Notes
  1. A team that is "marked for elimination" must check in at the Pit Stop in first place; otherwise they would receive a 30-minute penalty.
  2. This leg featured an Intersection. The teams were paired up thusly: Paul & Steve and Michelle & Jo, Joseph & Grace and Sticky & Sam, Lucy & Emilia and Shane & Andrew, and James & Sarah and Ross & Tarryn.
  3. 1 2 Shane & Andrew chose to use the U-Turn on Paul & Steve.
  4. 1 2 The starting placements for Kym & Donna and Paul & Steve were switched after the second leg. Kym & Donna and Paul & Steve finished leg 2 in 6th and 5th place respectively, but began leg 3 in 5th and 6th place, respectively. No explanation was given for this switch.
  5. In leg 4, the teams voted for the team to be U-Turned; Paul & Steve received the most votes.
  6. 1 2 Paul & Steve chose to Yield Michelle & Jo.
  7. This team won the Fast Forward on this leg.
  8. This team arrived last at the Pit Stop, but they were instructed to continue racing.
  9. Joseph & Grace initially arrived 6th, but were issued a 2-hour penalty for pulling another team's belongings out of the taxi. Sticky & Sam checked in during this penalty time, dropping Joseph & Grace to last.
  10. 1 2 Ross & Tarryn used their Salvage advantage to save Lucy & Emilia from elimination.
  11. 1 2 James & Sarah initially arrived 6th, but were issued a 4-hour penalty for quitting the Roadblock. Lucy & Emilia checked in during this penalty time, dropping James & Sarah to 7th. Ross & Tarryn also arrived during this penalty time, but as they had also quit the Roadblock, they remained in last place.
  12. This team used their Express Pass to bypass one of the tasks on this leg.
  13. Sticky & Sam were U-Turned on this leg.
  14. Adam & Dane initially arrived 7th, but were issued a 30-minute penalty for selling their possessions. All of the remaining teams checked in during this penalty time, dropping Adam & Dane to last.

Race summary

The route of The Amazing Race Australia 2. The Amazing Race Australia 2 map.svg
The route of The Amazing Race Australia 2.
Destinations ISO 7001 PI TF 001.svg Air travel    Legenda kolej.svg Rail travel    Ferry.png Water travel    Bus-logo.svg Bus travel
Maki-heliport-15.svg Helicopter travel    Maki-bicycle-15.svg Bicycle travel    Maki-aerialway-15.svg Gondola travel
Route Markers Detour icon.svg Detour    Roadblock icon.svg Roadblock    Fast Forward icon.svg Fast Forward    U-Turn icon.svg U-Turn    Yield icon.svg Yield    Intersection icon.svg Intersection    TAR-Pacific-pitstop-icon.png Pit Stop

Leg 1 (Australia → Philippines)

In the Philippines, teams visited the Cagsawa Ruins in Albay province overlooking the Mayon Volcano, where they had to find a snake charmer. Daraga Church.JPG
In the Philippines, teams visited the Cagsawa Ruins in Albay province overlooking the Mayon Volcano, where they had to find a snake charmer.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 2 (Philippines → India)

In Delhi, teams visited the historical stepwell of Agrasen Ki Baoli and searched through turbans. Agrasen ki Baoli, New Delhi, India - 20070127.jpg
In Delhi, teams visited the historical stepwell of Agrasen Ki Baoli and searched through turbans.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 3 (India)

The Madhavendra Palace in Jaipur's Nahargarh Fort was this leg's Pit Stop. Rajasthan-Jaipur-Nahargarh-Fort-compound-Apr-2004-02.JPG
The Madhavendra Palace in Jaipur's Nahargarh Fort was this leg's Pit Stop.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 4 (India → United Arab Emirates)

Teams ended this leg in Dubai atop the Four Points Hotel. Dubai - Downtown Dubai - Sheikh Zayed Road - Union Tower - Four Points by Sheraton - Saeed Tower 2 - wsT mdyn@ dby - shr` lshykh zyd - brj ltHd - fwr bwynts by sh - panoramio.jpg
Teams ended this leg in Dubai atop the Four Points Hotel.
Locations
Episode summary
TeamVote
Shane & AndrewPaul & Steve
Paul & SteveSticky & Sam
Michelle & JoPaul & Steve
Joseph & GracePaul & Steve
Lucy & EmiliaShane & Andrew
James & SarahLucy & Emilia
Sticky & SamPaul & Steve
Ross & TarrynPaul & Steve
Kym & DonnaPaul & Steve
Additional notes

Leg 5 (United Arab Emirates → Turkey)

After arriving in Istanbul, teams visited the Blue Mosque. Sultanahmetcamii ilkkezbuacidan.JPG
After arriving in Istanbul, teams visited the Blue Mosque.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 6 (Turkey)

This leg's Roadblock had racers participate in the Turkish tradition of Sufi whirling. Whirlingdervishes small.jpg
This leg's Roadblock had racers participate in the Turkish tradition of Sufi whirling.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 7 (Turkey → France → Cuba)

While in Paris, teams visited the Passerelle Debilly overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Passerelle Debilly et tour Eiffel.jpg
While in Paris, teams visited the Passerelle Debilly overlooking the Eiffel Tower.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 8 (Cuba)

One of the Detour choices in Havana required teams to deliver daiquiris to the Hotel Ambos Mundos. Ernest Hemingway, Hotels Room-Laslovarga.JPG
One of the Detour choices in Havana required teams to deliver daiquiris to the Hotel Ambos Mundos.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 9 (Cuba → Canada)

After arriving in Vancouver, teams went to Stanley Park to watch a First Nations ritual near the park's totem poles. Totem poles.jpg
After arriving in Vancouver, teams went to Stanley Park to watch a First Nations ritual near the park's totem poles.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 10 (Canada)

Teams ended this leg in Alberta at the Banff Springs Hotel inside Banff National Park. Banff Springs Hotel - panoramio (1).jpg
Teams ended this leg in Alberta at the Banff Springs Hotel inside Banff National Park.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 11 (Canada → China)

Teams visited the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China for the Roadblock. Chemin de ronde muraille long.JPG
Teams visited the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China for the Roadblock.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 12 (China → Australia)

Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island was the location of the final Roadblock and the finish line. Fraser Island a05 lake mckenzie.jpg
Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island was the location of the final Roadblock and the finish line.
Locations
Episode summary
QuestionsAnswers
Michelle & JoPaul & SteveShane & Andrew
Which team would lend you a helping hand?Shane & AndrewLucy & EmiliaMichelle & Jo
Which team would lie to you?Joseph & GraceMichelle & JoPaul & Steve
Which team worked best together?Shane & AndrewLucy & EmiliaShane & Andrew
Whose relationship do you envy?Ross & TarrynSticky & SamSticky & Sam
Which was the unluckiest team?Adam & DaneAdam & DaneAdam & Dane
QuestionsAnswers
The famous nightclub you visited upon arrival in Havana is called:CTropicana
The famous cooking school you attended in Paris was:BLe Cordon Bleu
In Istanbul, you scrubbed each other down. What is the correct term for a Turkish bath?AHammam
Which of the following is not a mode of transport you travelled on during the Race?ACanoe
The Pit Stop in Jaipur was located on the rooftop of which fort?CNahargarh Fort

Ratings

#AirdateViewersTotal viewers
(Day rank)
Ref
SydneyMelbourneBrisbaneAdelaidePerth
130 May 2012289,000310,000107,00090,00089,000886,000 (10) [28]
26 June 2012268,000285,000133,000107,00090,000883,000 (11) [29]
313 & 14 June 2012715,000 (N/A) [30] [31]
420 June 2012190,000215,000103,00084,000103,000695,000 (15) [32]
525 June 2012245,000318,000142,000125,000142,000971,000 (11) [33]
62 July 2012310,000356,000155,000116,000164,0001,101,000 (7) [34]
79 July 2012317,000308,000159,000117,000122,0001,023,000 (9) [35]
816 July 2012252,000302,000138,000106,000115,000913,000 (10) [36]
923 July 2012306,000328,000140,000114,000126,0001,014,000 (7) [37]
1013 August 2012212,000218,000130,000109,000119,000787,000 (15) [38]
1114 August 2012267,000252,000149,000107,000121,000896,000 (12) [39]
1215 August 2012296,000277,000171,000117,000115,000976,000 (8) [40]

Notes

    References

    1. Knox, David (19 June 2012). "Airdate: Mrs. Brown's Boys. Bumped: The Amazing Race Australia". TV Tonight . Retrieved 19 June 2012.
    2. Knox, David (17 July 2011). "Renewed: The Amazing Race Australia". TV Tonight . Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    3. Knox, David (19 November 2011). "Amazing Race Australia now filming". TV Tonight . Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    4. Lewdon, Courtney (20 April 2012). "The Amazing Race Australia 2: Teams". throng.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
    5. Knox, David (11 August 2011). "Amazing Race applications closing". TV Tonight . Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    6. "Amazing Race Australia Comes to Alberta – A Race to the Canadian Rocky Mountains". Travel PR News. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    7. Knox, David (9 August 2012). "Returning: The Amazing Race Australia". TV Tonight . Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    8. "ZUJI Named Official Sponsor of Channel Seven's The Amazing Race Australia 2012". Cision . 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    9. May, Kevin (12 December 2012). "Travelocity sells Asia-Pacific agency Zuji to Webjet for $25 million". PhocusWire. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    10. "The Amazing Race Australia 2 Cast". Yahoo!. 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
    11. "Troy twins add sexy new reality to The Amazing Race Australia". News.com.au . 20 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
    12. Quirk, Clare (31 May 2012). "Amazing adventure for father-daughter team with local ties". The Standard. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    13. Siagian, Sandra (21 May 2012). "Mum inspiration for Amazing Race sisters". St George and Sutherland Shire Leader . Retrieved 6 April 2021.
    14. "Meet the COMPLETE cast of Married at First Sight". Mogaz News En. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
    15. </ "Deal Or No Deal - 2025 Ep. 142". Network 10 . Retrieved 16 September 2025.
    16. 1 2 Partridge, Josh (1 May 2021). "Amazing Race Australia pair Sticky and Sam reflect a decade on". The Examiner . Retrieved 3 May 2021.
    17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Logan Saunders (2 September 2020). "You've Just Gotta Have The Buffer" (Podcast). Reality TV Warriors. Event occurs at 23:49. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
    18. Logan Saunders [@logsupacoowacky] (28 April 2020). "#TARstorian recaps the second episode of #AmazingRace Australia 2 as teams travel from #Manila to #Delhi. Sarah channels her inner Andy Samberg, Emilia auditions to be a Bollywood actress, and I briefly mention an unaired task. @McKayActivetv @GrantBowler" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 August 2020 via Twitter.
    19. 1 2 3 Logan Saunders [@logsupacoowacky] (29 August 2020). "The Amazing Race Australia 2 Episode 4 Rankings: Arrested Development" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 August 2020 via Twitter.
    20. Logan Saunders (2 September 2020). "You've Just Gotta Have The Buffer" (Podcast). Reality TV Warriors. Event occurs at 39:20. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
    21. Geoff "Sticky" Stick [@stickla_6] (7 November 2020). "Pretty close but not spot on. We actually used the express pass on an un-aired challenge before the U-turn which the other teams didn't know. Their justification for U-turning us was because we had the pass still and could just use it to skip the U-turn 🤦" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 November 2020 via Twitter.
    22. Geoff "Sticky" Stick [@stickla_6] (7 November 2020). "Rolling Cuban cigars was the one we skipped, we did the puzzle too" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 November 2020 via Twitter.
    23. Geoff "Sticky" Stick [@stickla_6] (3 December 2019). "#TomandTyler sooking because they got uturned, Bitch Please. Try getting eliminated because you got uturned and having that uturn edited out of the show! #amazingraceau @Hayzie26" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 December 2019 via Twitter.
    24. Logan Saunders (2 September 2020). "You've Just Gotta Have The Buffer" (Podcast). Reality TV Warriors. Event occurs at 21:38. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
    25. Logan Saunders [@logsupacoowacky] (7 November 2020). "The Amazing Race 20 Episode 8 Rankings: Crocodile Hunters" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 November 2020 via Twitter.
    26. "The Learning Lodge is seen in the show on the outskirts of the Detour location (in the woods)". Wikimapia. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
    27. "I Do My Riding Better in the Bedroom". The Amazing Race Australia. Season 2. Episode 10. 13 August 2012. Event occurs at 19:34. Seven Network. Ski a downhill course and place, in the correct order, photos of the teams who have come in last in each Leg of the Race so far.
    28. Knox, David (31 May 2012). "Wednesday 30 May 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 31 May 2012.
    29. Knox, David (7 June 2012). "Wednesday 6 June 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 7 June 2012.
    30. Knox, David (14 June 2012). "2.47m as Blues and Origin rule Wednesday". TV Tonight . Retrieved 14 June 2012.
    31. Knox, David (15 June 2012). "1.41m for Hamish & Andy, but Seven takes Thursday". TV Tonight . Retrieved 15 June 2012.
    32. Knox, David (21 June 2012). "Wednesday 20 June 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
    33. Knox, David (25 June 2012). "Monday 25 June 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 26 June 2012.
    34. Knox, David (2 July 2012). "Monday 2 July 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 3 July 2012.
    35. Knox, David (10 July 2012). "Monday 9 July 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 10 July 2012.
    36. Knox, David (17 July 2012). "Monday 16 July 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 17 July 2012.
    37. Knox, David (24 July 2012). "Monday 23 July 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 24 July 2012.
    38. Knox, David (14 August 2012). "Monday 13 August 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 14 August 2012.
    39. Knox, David (15 August 2012). "Tuesday 14 August 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 15 August 2012.
    40. Knox, David (16 August 2012). "Wednesday 15 August 2012". TV Tonight . Retrieved 16 August 2012.