Both tribes must race through a field of survival items, gathering anything that might be useful in camp, then place them on a two-tiered structure at the other end. Once items reach the second level of the structure, they are locked and can't be stolen. When they're ready, they must get all 12 tribemates up to the top of the structure, then send one person back to collect a torch, re-climb the structure, and light the torch. First tribe to do so gets everything they've gathered, other tribe gets nothing. Results: Heroes are dramatically aided by Shaun, whose height allows him to place things on the structure easily (and boost his tribemates up). Simon makes it interesting by stealing supplies mid-challenge, and briefly inhibiting Shaun when he gets the torch, but Heroes win easily.
Contestants must flip over a rotating cube and cross a mud pit, then smash through a stick tunnel, then search a pile of coconuts for a sledgehammer. Then one person (Sam/Shaun; Jordie) must use the hammer to smash in rungs of a ladder. Two people (Sam, David; Simon, Sarah/Michael) then climb up and toss smaller hammers to smash a set of target plates. First tribe to do so wins immunity. Results: Tiles hit: Sam-3, David-2 (Heroes win, 5-3); Simon-2, Michael-1. George (cut on head), Jackie (shoulder) injured on the first obstacle, get tended to by medical while tribe returns to camp.
As they enter the course for the IC, both George and Jackie go over the rotating cubes at the same time. Both fail to tuck as they go over, and land headfirst in shallow, muddy water. George receives a nasty laceration on his forehead, Jackie also hurts herself, but it's not immediately clear how. Both are immediately pulled from the challenge and sent off to receive medical attention. At Tribal Council that night, the Villains learn Jackie will not return, due to a broken collarbone. George's fate is unclear, but he returns to camp the next morning.
Sharni, Rogue sit out. One to three at a time, contestants must push on a giant turnstile, trying to push it past the midway point, as the other tribe pushes in the other direction. First tribe to win three rounds wins reward: A 15-minute camp raid, with no rules. Results: Rd.1 - Sam, Matt, Benjamin d. Michael, Fraser, George (H1, V0). Rd.2 - Shonee, Liz d. Hayley, Nina (H1, V1). Rd.3 - Shaun, Flick d. Steve, Mimi (H2, V1). Rd.4 - Simon d. David (H2, V2). Rd.5: Liz d. Nina (H2, V3). Villains win!
Paige, Gerry sit out. Tribes must move through a tunnel obstacle, then maneuver a giant ball along an overhead track, up a ramp over seven hurdles, and down the other side, smashing a block puzzle. Two people (Benjamin, Nina; George, Fraser) must then rebuild the puzzle. First tribe to do so wins immunity. Shaun rolls the ball by himself, Villains need a Liz-Simon combo to do it. Heroes hit the puzzle with a slight lead, win easily, as George and Fraser struggle on the puzzle.
Benjamin, Hayley, Nina sit out. Challenge is a cross between "Battle Dig" (from Panama) and "Water Slaughter" (from Micronesia). One at a time, contestants must race out into the water, grab a pillow, and attempt to get it into their floating goal box. First tribe to three points wins a giant jar of cookies. Results: Rd.1: Flick d. Shonee (H1, V0). Rd.2: Shaun d. Stevie (H2, V0). Rd.3: Jordie d. Matt (H2, V1). Rd.4: Simon d. Sam (H2, V2). Rd.5: Mimi d. Paige (H2, V3) - Villains win!
While the Villains tribe is busy celebrating their cookie feast on the beach, George heads back campwards to "open a coconut." He instead heads into the jungle to search for idols. He quickly finds one in the roots of a big tree, then rushes back to eat cookies with everyone else.
Sharni, Gerry, Rogue sit out. Tribes must carry a heavy ladder over a series of obstacles: a high wall, an overhead frame (where it becomes monkey bars), and a cargo net. One person (David, Mimi) must then climb up the ladder to release a sack of coconuts, then two people (Shaun, Paige; ?, ?) must toss those coconuts to break six tile targets. First tribe to do so wins immunity. Results: Both tribes struggle on monkey bars. Heroes re-position theirs as a bridge, take a huge lead. Shaun hits all six targets before Villains start throwing. Heroes win.
Paige, Nina, Hayley, Ben sit out. As seen in CvC2. Held in shallow water, three tribe members are in the water, trying to retrieve a football, while stopping the opposing tribe's three from doing so. They must then pass to a fourth tribe member, who attempts to kick it into a goal. First tribe to score two goals wins a pizza party. Results: Shockingly, the team with two AFL players wins. Rd.1: Shaun, Rogue, Sharni (David kicking - 1/1) d. Simon, Liz, Shonee (Jordie kicking - 0/2). Rd.2: Gerry, Sam, Matt (Flick kicking - 1/3) d. George, Fraser, Steve (Sarah kicking - 0/0). Heroes win pizza.
Shaun, Sam, David, Matt sit out. As seen in Panama: Exile Island. Contestants must hang from a bar with their arms and legs wrapped around it for as long as possible. (Bar is over water in this version.) Last tribe to have at least two people hanging on wins. Results: Order out - H8.Paige (4 min.), H7.Flick, H6.Benjamin (5 min.), V8.Simon, H5.Nina, H4.Gerry, V7.George, H3.Rogue, H2.Hayley. Villains "win"! (Hayley was probably throwing.)
After Sam and David discovered an idol clue in a frozen pizza box, they shared it with Shaun, and for some reason let him keep it. After the IC, with Tribal approaching, he decides to search seriously for the idol, and fairly quickly finds it. He doesn't tell Sam or David (or anyone else) about it.
Nina, Sharni, Flick sit out. In pairs, contestants must throw coconuts to knock five barrels off a deck. First pair to knock off the most barrels (three) scores a point. First tribe to three points wins a "bakeries bonanza" (pastries, cake) back at camp. Results: Rd.1: Shaun/Ben hit 3.5 barrels, Simon/Steve 0 (H1, V0). Rd.2: George/Jordie 3, Sam/Hayley 2 (at least 2 by George; H1, V1). Rd.3: Matt/Gerry 3, Shonee/Fraser 0 (H2, V1). Rd.4: David/Paige 3, Liz/Sarah 0 (H3, V1). Heroes win reward.
Benjamin, Hayley, Gerry sit out. As seen in All-Stars. Tribes must push a heavy cart through a course, collecting bundles of wood and coconut husk as they go. At the end of the course, they must build a giant bonfire, big enough to burn through a high overhead rope, dropping two bundles of coconuts. Steve, Sam light each fire. First tribe to do so wins. Results: Villains take an early lead, never relinquish it, win.
Paige sits out. As seen in Philippines (US). In one-on-one matchups, contestants must try to knock the idol off their opponent's handle, without dropping theirs. First tribe to three points wins comfort items plus lasagna (and photos from home, if that wasn't enough). Rd.1: Sam d. Simon (H1, V0). Rd.2: Shonee d. Flick (H1, V1). Rd.3: Hayley d. George (H2, V1). Rd.4: Jordie d. Shaun (H2, V2). Rd.5: David d. Simon (again), Heroes win reward.
Nina sits out. Contestants must swim out to a raft, paddle it back to shore, go under a net crawl with the paddles, then tie the paddles together so one person (Shaun, Jordie) can use the pole to retrieve a key. One person (Sam, Liz) must use the key to unlock letter blocks that two people (Matt, Paige; Simon, Jordie) drop into place on an overhead platform to solve a word puzzle (Your torches won't be snuffed). Results: Heroes have a slight lead entering the puzzle. They win by one letter, with less than a second separating the tribes.
Paige, Sharni, Ben, Gerry sit out. (Gerry once again a Hero.) As seen in China, and AU: All-Stars. Three at a time, in knee-deep water, tribes will attempt to roll a heavy ball across an octagonal ring, through a goal. At the same time, three people from the other tribe are trying to do the same with theirs. Full contact is allowed. First tribe to two points wins immunity. Results: Rd.1: Shaun, Flick, Hayley d. Simon, Shonee, Liz (H1, V0). Rd.2: Matt, David, Sam d. George, Jordie, Fraser (H2, V0). Heroes win, unsurprisingly.
Villains leave Tribal Council after talking for a while, are told they can win individual immunity at the challenge. Contestants must tie sticks together, long enough to retrieve a flint from the other side of a gate. Once they have the flint, they must build a fire big enough to burn through a rope. First person to do so wins individual immunity. Results: Simon is first to get his flint, makes fire before anyone else gets their flint. Simon wins.
Shonee, Liz, and Jordie are chatting/washing at the well. As they head back to camp, Shonee picks up a piece of wood, and in doing so notices a coconut with an idol-like design on it. She moves the coconut and finds an idol underneath it.
Nina, Hayley, Flick, Matt, Shaun sit out. As seen in CvC1, three sets of pairs from each tribe sit and hold up a box between their feet. If the box drops, the pair is out. Last tribe with at least one pair left wins immunity. Order out: H3. Gerry/Ben drop (<10 min.), V3. Simon/Jordie (10 min.), V2. George/Steve, H2. Sam/David (30 min.), H1. Sharni/Paige (60 min.), leaving Liz/Shonee. Villains win!
Ben (at some earlier, unspecified time) found an idol clue in the rice container. It's the same thing as Simon's "cookie idol," and the jewel on it matches the coconut under which Shonee found her idol. So it's clearly an idol clue, and not a fake idol, as it originally appeared to be with Simon. Benjamin looks around for the idol but can't find it. After the IC, he searches again near the well, finds the coconut and picks it up, revealing the idol. Unfortunately, as he's reading the instructions, Matt spots him (unbeknownst to Ben). He ends up playing it that night, anyway.
The tribes assemble for what looks like an auction, but learn that first, they're dropping buffs and getting new tribes. The new Heroes tribe: Benjamin, Flick, Gerry, Matt, Paige, George, Shonee, Steve. The new Villains tribe: David, Hayley, Nina, Sam Shaun, Jordie, Liz, Simon. Then it really is an auction, right after the tribe swap. Each contestant bids individually, but their purchases are made from a total of $2500 per tribe. Items sold: 1. Liz - $320 for cheeseburger, beer. 2. Sam - $360 for covered item (chcolate). 3. Benjamin - $400 for a scroll (coupon for one brown onion). 4. Shaun - $500 for spaghetti, wine. 5. Flick - $480 - tacos, margarita. 6. Jordie - $220 for a video call home. 7. George - $320 for covered item ("surprise party" reward trip, he takes Liz and Shonee).
Tribe swap: Two new tribes. Auction: People buy stuff.
Ep.9 idol: Shonee
George picks Shonee and Liz for the "surprise party" reward feast. At some point while eating, Shonee notices a package, picks it up and opens it, and the three learn she has an idol. She pledges to use for their alliance (and does the next day).
George picks Shonee and Liz for the "surprise party" reward feast. George himself wins $60,000 from Set for Life. At some point while eating, Shonee notices a package, picks it up and opens it, and the three learn she has an idol. She pledges to use for their alliance (and does the next day).
Nina sits out. As seen in Palau. In teams of 4, contestants are tethered together, carrying a heavy bag, and must run around an oval track in knee-deep water. The other tribe does the same, and each team is trying to catch the other. Doing so earns a point, first tribe to three points wins an Aussie breakfast. Rd.1: Shaun/Simon/Hayley/Liz d. Matt/Flick/Ben/Shonee (V1, H0; after Ben, Shonee, Hayley, Liz drop out, handing off their weight). Rd.2: Sam/David/Shaun/Jordie d. Steve/Gerry/Ben/George (V2, H0). Rd.3: Simon/Sam/Hayley/Liz d. George/Matt/Shonee/Flick (Hayley/Liz drop early). Villains win!
Sam sits out. Contestants must race through a mud pit, over a net, and through a tight tunnel. Then one person (Shaun, Gerry) must chop through a log, releasing a sack of coconuts. Then one person (Nina, Matt) uses a giant slingshot to fire the coconuts at six targets. First tribe to smash or (mostly) chip all their targets wins immunity. Villains take a lead on the tunnel, hit 1 target before Heroes start shooting. Targets hit: Nina-1, Matt-1,2, Nina-2, Matt-3, Nina-3, Matt-4,5,6. Heroes win!
Contestants must roll giant cubes to form a staircase/puzzle, as in "Crate Outdoors," but before doing so, must move them across multiple obstacles - over hurdles, through a gate, and up and over a ramp. First tribe to get their stair puzzle right and get everyone up to the top of the deck wins immunity. Villains win.
In head-to-head matchups, contestants race through shallow water to a net, climb up it to retrieve a ring. They must then try to land the ring on a high hook. First to do so scores a point, first tribe to three points wins reward: A massive Chinese food banquet. Rd.1: Shaun d. Matt (H0, V1). Rd.2: Steve d. Liz (H1, V1). Rd.3: Simon d. George (H1, V2). Rd.4: Sam d. Flick (H1, V3). Villains win!
Simon sits out. In head-to-head matchups, contestants race to a station, memorize a set of symbols, run back to their set of blocks, and try to re-create the order of symbols. If they get it right, they score a point for their tribe. First tribe to three points wins. Rd.1: George d. Shaun (H1, V0). Rd.2: Liz d. Shonee (H1, V1). Rd.3: Steve d. Hayley (H2, V1). Rd.4: Gerry d. Nina (H3, V1). Heroes "win" (Villains were throwing.)
Shonee sits out. Contestants must push a heavy cart with a tower on it across a series of obstacles, clearing the path as they go. Along the way, they also collect basketballs. At the end of the course, the person in the tower (David, Matt) must attempt to sink all nine basketballs in nets held up (on heavy poles) by their teammates. Results: Heroes' cart gets stuck on second obstacle, David sinks all nine shots for the Villains before the Heroes even get to their last set of balls. Villains win a trip to the Survivor sandwich shop.
Gerry sits out. As seen in the Ep13 IC of AU: 2017. Contestants must hold a sandbag attached to a trough of water (above the entire tribe). They can drop out at any time, but must first hand off their sandbag to a tribemate. If a bag drops, the trough tips and soaks the tribe, and they lose. At the same time, one person from each tribe (Steve, Nina) must go head-to-head in a puzzle challenge. First to finish gets to pick someone from the opposing tribe to drop out of the challenge. Results: Nina easily wins on the puzzle, knocks out Matt. At around 20 minutes, Heroes collectively drop, Villains win.
Ep13 IC: (Team "When It Rains" plus) - Villains win.
TC13 - Steve voted out (4-2-1),
12 left.
Day 28
(Sep. 5)
Ep.14 merge
Both tribes arrive at a site with no challenge set up, just a long table with a massive array of food. JLP tells them they have indeed merged, gives them new buffs, and everyone feasts.
As seen in Palau (and AU: CvC1). Contestants must hold onto a grate in the ocean. As the tide comes in, their breathing space decreases, making it more difficult. Last person still in wins immunity. Order out: [32 min.] 12. George, 11. Sam, 10. Shonee, 9. Liz, 8. Shaun, 7. Simon, 6. Gerry, 5. Flick, 4. Hayley, 3. David. 2. Nina, 1. Matt wins! (circa 60 minutes).
Contestants must hold up a weighted barrel holding 40% of their body weight, until they can't. Last still in wins immunity. Order out: 11. George (quickly). [35 min.] 10. Shonee. [1 hr., switch to one hand only on the rope] 9. Nina, 8. Gerry, 7. Shaun, 6. Sam, 5. Flick, 4. Matt, 3. Simon. [1 hr, 20 min.] 2. Hayley, 1. Liz wins!
TC16 - Flick voted out (7-3-1; 1st juror), 10 left.
Day 31
(Sep. 8)
Ep.16 RC: Pairs 'Get a Grip'
In pairs (Simon-Nina; Shaun-Sam; Hayley-George; Gerry-Shonee; Matt-Liz), contestants must hold on to a pole for as long as they can. If either drops, they’re both out. At regular intervals, they move down to smaller holds, making it more difficult. Winners get whisked away to a feast of KFC. Order out: 5. Simon/Nina, 4. Shaun/Sam (both at 8 min.) [15 min, down to second set of holds] 3. Liz/Matt (20 min.), 2. Gerry/Shonee, so 1. Hayley/George win! They bring Shonee and Gerry along with them.
As seen since US S27: Blood vs. Water. Contestants must stack a series of blocks on a (two-tier) wobbly frame, to spell out "Heroes vs Villains". If they drop, they must start over, although if at least one block remains on the frame, they can try to re-place the ones that fell. As always, several people in the lead drop their stacks (Shaun repeatedly), but eventually, Simon wins!
With the original Heroes woefully outnumbered, Shaun, Nina, and Sam go off looking for idols (even though Shaun already has one), and eventually, Nina finds the one Flick was shown just missing in the previous episode.
The morning after Shaun and Nina burn their idols to no effect as Sam is voted out, Shonee comes in from the beach, grabs her wrap, looks up, and notices a package in a tree near the beach. It's her third idol! (This works out about as well as Shaun and Nina's did.)
Three-stage elimination challenge. Stage 1: Contestants must land three sandbags on a swinging platform, first six to do so advance. Stage 2: Contestants must use their sandbags to knock rungs off a ladder, then use those rungs to build a bridge. First three people to cross the bridge move on. Stage 3: Contestants are tethered to a spinning table, and must place 10 discs of different sizes on the table, one at a time, as the table spins each time they go back for another disc, potentially knocking over their stack. First to stack all 10 wins. Results: Stage 1 - order in: Simon, Gerry, Matt, Liz, Shaun, Hayley. 7-t: George, Shonee, Nina eliminated. Stage 2 - order in: Shaun, Simon, Hayley. 4-t: Matt, Liz, Gerry out. Stage 3: Simon takes the slow and steady approach again, quickly gets to 10 (Hayley and Shaun each dump their stacks at least once). Simon wins.
As seen in Worlds Apart. Contestants are seated, and must untie a rope to release a set of blocks, then build a three-layer tower with the blocks and place a flag in the middle, all using only their feet. Results: Simon takes a mid-challenge lead, never relinquishes it. He's trailed by Matt, Nina. He wins an Isuzu D-MAX truck, gets to go on a picnic. He picks, Matt, Hayley, and Nina to join him.
Similar conceptually to US "Squatty Probst," although execution is different. Contestants must hold a wall-sit position (leaning back against a moving frame) the height of which is maintained by two posts touching their shoulders. If they move too high or low, a skull idol gets knocked off, and they're out. Order out: 8. Matt (almost immediately), 7. George (~5 sec), 6. Liz (<1 min). 5. Gerry (2 min.), 4. Hayley, 3. Simon, 2. Shaun, 1. Nina wins!
Contestants must balance on a narrow beam while using a long forked pole to transfer eight wedge-shaped blocks to a stack. If the stack falls, they must start over. First player to stack all their blocks wins a trip to the Survivor spa. Results: Hayley, Liz, Simon lead, but the wind knocks over their stacks when they're each within two blocks of victory. Eventually, Liz wins. She picks George, Nina to join her.
As seen in S2: The Australian Outback, and AU: CvC1. Contestants must build a fire in a drum on one side of a seesaw structure, then when the fire is burning, fill a drum on the other side with water, lifting the fire up high enough to burn through a flag. Both the drum they put the water in and the pail they use to fill it have holes in them, making the task more difficult, as water slowly drains out, potentially lowering the fire. First person to do so wins immunity. Results: Matt is first to fire, followed by Simon. Liz abandons her fire, helps Matt fill his bucket. It comes down to a tight race as both Matt's and Simon's flags are on fire, but Simon's burns through first. Simon wins again! (Matt 2nd, Liz 7th, rest tie-3rd).
As seen in Borneo and AU: 2016. Contestants must stand barefoot on pointed pegs, with one hand holding on to an idol. If they fall off or break contact with their hand, they're out. After 15 minutes, they transition to pegs that are farther away from the idol, making it more difficult. Order out: 6. George (on transition at 15 min.), 5. Nina (20 min.). [45 min, transition to two farthest-apart pegs] 4. Liz (50 min.), 3. Simon slips off (1 hr, 20 min.), 2. Gerry, 1. Matt wins. (Matt and Gerry voluntarily went to one foot to speed it up.)
TC21 - Nina, Gerry voted to Isolation (5-1), 6 left.
Day 42
(Sep. 19)
Ep.21 IC: Ring dominoes
Contestants must stand inside a hanging wooden ring, suspended by several ropes. They must stand blocks on the ring, like dominoes, such that at the end, all of them fall over. They can only place blocks through a narrow window, and must turn the ring by hand to move on. As the challenge progresses, tension builds in the rope, making turning the ring more difficult. Results: In the end, it's a tight race between Simon and Matt, both have all their dominoes placed. Matt starts his going first, and wins. Simon then knocks his, he's second.
Contestants must place a ball in an overhead chute, then try to catch it as it drops from the other end, using a disc on a handle. They must then cross a series of obstacles while balancing the ball, picking up two more along the way. Finally, they must place all three balls in holes in a vertical maze (like the snake maze in US Survivor). First to do so wins immunity. Results: Liz first to maze, closely followed by Matt, then Nina, George. Gerry struggles on the first set of obstacles, but eventually reaches the maze. Balls placed: Liz-1, Nina-1, Liz-2, Liz-3. Liz wins! (Nina 2nd, rest tied for 3rd.)
*Not* for immunity, but rather, the winner gets an extra vote at F4 Tribal. Starting in the water, contestants must wade to shore, collecting a bag of balls as they go, then land the balls in an overhead trough. Then crawl under a net and solve a block puzzle. Then climb to a deck, and attempt to land sandbags on five perches. First to do so wins the extra vote. Order to puzzle: Matt, Gerry, George, Liz (Matt moves on to final stage before George reaches puzzle). Matt wins easily. After the challenge, they learn the vote is to remove a juror, not a player.
As mostly seen in San Juan del Sur, David vs. Goliath. Loved ones watch as always: Cara for George; Liz's boyfriend Daniel; Gerry's fiancee Pam; Matt's wife Kirstie. Contestants must stand on a narrow perch, with both hands holding onto a handle above their head. At regular intervals, JLP turns a crank, moving spear-shaped spikes closer to the contestants' backs, making the task more difficult (at full extension, 36 cm). Last person standing wins final immunity. Order out: 4. Gerry (1 hr, 5 min); 3. George (3 hrs, 50 min); 2. Matt (4 hrs, 10 min). 1. Liz wins!
Ep24 IC: (Uncomfort-ably Numb plus spikes) - Liz wins.
TC25 - George voted out (3-1), 3 left.
Day 47
(Sep. 24)
Final Tribal Council and jury vote
Matt, Gerry, and Liz address the jurors and answer questions, as always. Liz highlights her long-term revenge plan on George, Gerry mostly cites being old, Matt points out he also definitively turned against George at F4, but is shot down. In the end (with the final three's loved ones in attendance for the vote reveal), Liz wins, 7-0-0.