Australian Survivor: 2022 season is ‘more brutal’ than ever, says Jonathan LaPaglia

As fans eagerly await the new season of Australian Survivor, the show’s host Jonathan LaPaglia has revealed some ‘brutal’ new details about what to expect.

The Channel 10 series was previously filmed in tropical locations like Fiji and Samoa, but Jonathan says the new location in Far North Queensland is the toughest yet. 

He explained the castaways experienced harsh weather conditions which bounced between 40 degrees in the day and freezing temperatures at night.

‘It was even more brutal, if you can believe that,’ the 52-year-old told Who magazine of the latest season, dubbed Blood vs Water.

‘The terrain is still very rugged and tough for the players, but the biggest difference was the temperature… I mean, it was really hot in Cloncurry, but it was excruciating in Charters Towers where we shot.’

‘That was really the toughest thing… We had a number of players and crew collapse because of the heat,’ he added. 

Heating up: He explained the castaways experienced harsh weather conditions which bounced between 40 degrees in the day and freezing temperatures at night

Going head to head: Glimpses of the contestants were shown in a recent trailer released by Channel 10, including a surfing duo

Fans were given a taste of the new season in a dramatic trailer earlier this month.

‘This season each Survivor will enter the season in pairs,’ Jonathan says in the teaser. ‘For the first time ever, they’ll be playing with a member of their own family.’

Glimpses of the contestants were then shown, including NRL star Michael Crocker and his sister in-law Chrissy Zaremba.

Chrissy says of going up against her football-playing brother-in-law: ‘If we have to go up against each other, I’m in all sorts.’  

Challenge: NRL star Michael Crocker (left) will join forces with his sister in-law Chrissy Zaremba (right)

Influencer Sophie Cachia, who will be on the show with her sister, says: ‘I honestly don’t think there is any relationship that is going to be stronger than two sisters.’ 

Two-time American Survivor winner Sandra Diaz-Twine will compete with her daughter Alanna Twine.

She says: ‘I’m the Queen of Survivor because I’m the first two-time winner ever.

Strong together: Influencer Sophie Cachia (left), who will be on the show with her sister, says: ‘I honestly don’t think there is any relationship that is going to be stronger than two sisters’

‘If me and my daughter have to go head-to-head, I’m beating her a** to remind her who’s queen,’ she add. 

Survivor: Blood vs Water will see 24 former castaways playing with – and against – their loved ones.

This concept has already been used twice before in the US franchise – in 2013 with Survivor: Blood vs Water, and again in 2014 with Survivor: San Juan del Sur.

Launch date: Australian Survivor: Blood vs Water premieres Monday, January 31, at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10 Play

The series will take place at Charters Towers in north Queensland, inland of Townsville. 

Blood vs Water also features two-time Australian Survivor contenders Mark Wales and Sam Gash.

Australian Survivor: Blood vs Water premieres Monday, January 31, at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10 Play

Filming locally: The series will take place at Charters Towers in north Queensland