Duane Strauss

Where’s your best camping spot? Moreton Island, but away from the crowds. Once we camped at the south-west zone and had only half a dozen vehicles pass by in the time we were there. But, if you can get a camping area to yourself, Comboyuro point is tops.

If you had to be stuck on an island with one of the other Creek to Coast presenters, who would it be and why? Scotty Hillier. The man is hilarious and can fish. In fact, I did get stuck on an island with “The Big Man”. We were on Haggerstone Island on the far reaches of Cape York. Seriously one of the best places I’ve ever been – wild, raw, remote and stunning.

What is your funniest crew story? Where do we start: I mean anything with animals and kids is perilous and the crews that we work with are. We once interviewed a kid whose sales pitch was “Dinki Di Aussie Bullshit”, a ginger 7 year old that sold bottled cow-dung. We were in fits the whole shoot, thinking “can we actually put this on TV?”.

Bonus: (While working at another TV Network) I was once pooped on by a bird, then the owner licked the crap off my arm. True story. And yes, it went to air.

If you could go anywhere, where would it be and why? There’s so many places – it’d have to narrow it down to a few. Ecuador to see the Galapagos Islands. Antarctica to scuba dive under the ice.

Best eating fish?
Mangrove Jack. Deep fried whole. Get in my face.

Item you always have with you for camping/driving/fishing? Leatherman.

What food do you despise the most? I eat everything — anchovies, olives, octopus, oysters, all the weird stuff. My kryptonite is a little less adventurous – the yolk of a hard-boiled egg. It’s a texture thing. Ew.

Favourite recipe/food? Pearled couscous with fresh mussels, made from as base white wine. Add a white crusty baguette = brownie points from the lady.

On a day off… where would we most likely find you? I love scuba diving – off Flinders Reef, north of Moreton Island is hands down one of the best spots outside of the GBR. During the winter, I’m usually up early hiking the mountains around the Scenic Rim Mt Moogerah, Mt Maroon, Mt Barney.

What are you most afraid of? Rips. I got caught in one once. Wasn’t fun. Public speaking. Oh, the irony. I’m on TV right?