Australia according to Hoges. Paul Hogan. 2022.

Paul Hogan’s ancestors were a couple of blow-ins who, with a little assistance from the judges of the Old Bailey, journeyed to the colony of New South Wales by boat. Blow-ins from everywhere have been coming ever since, and while it hasn’t always been a walk in the park, Hoges reckons this mixed-up mob of old and new inhabitants works most of the time. In fact, according to Hoges, Australia may well be the best country on earth.

Now the comedy legend explores some of the highways and byways of his and his country’s past and present to map out all that is strange, marvellous and majestic about his homeland and explain why Australia qualifies as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

From the rich and ancient culture of the island continent’s original human inhabitants to its prison-farm phase, from wars and the Depression to a passion for sport, gambling, outdoor cookery and culinary wonders brought by new arrivals from around the world, Hoges portrays a national that still believes in a fair go for all and never takes itself too seriously. As Hoges says, ‘We’re not perfect but we’re working on it.’