Rovers, The

1 9 6 9 – 1 9 7 0 (Australia)
39 x 30 minute episodes

Captain Sam “Cap” McGill (Edward Hepple), his 10-year-old grandson Mike (Grant Seidon), freelance wildlife photographer Bob Wild (Noel Trevarthen) and Wildlife magazine journalist Rusty Collins (Rowena Wallace) travelled around the east coast of Australia having adventures aboard Cap’s schooner, Pacific Lady.

Over 39 episodes, the four ship-mates dealt with stowaways, smugglers, robbers, illegal immigrants, medical emergencies, sea mines, beauty pageants, con men, UFOs, a Tasmanian Tiger and a bunyip!

Although the stories took place all along the east coast of Australia, filming took place entirely at Brooklyn on the picturesque Hawkesbury River, just north of Sydney, where the production had its headquarters.

An old church hall in Brooklyn was converted to a studio for interior scenes.

With an eye on overseas markets, The Rovers was produced in colour and entirely on film, with extensive outdoor filming at scenic locations and lots of native Australian animals, including a pet wombat, koala and cockatoo onboard the boat.

Guests on the series included Reg Varney, Dawn Lake, Mark McManus, Jack Thompson, Ruth Cracknell, John Meillon, Noel Ferrier, Lorraine Bayly, Kamahl, Gwen Plumb, Slim deGrey and Serge Lazareff.

The actual 75-foot schooner used in the series was called Derwent Hunter.

Rusty Collins
Rowena Wallace
Bob Wild
Noel Trevarthen
Captain Sam “Cap” McGill
Edward Hepple
Mike
Grant Seidon