Heartland - Desert Road

The Desert Road is the highest stretch of State Highway One, crossing the wind-scarred Rangipo Desert with stunning views of Mt Tongariro. In this Heartland episode Gary McCormick visits Waiouru and Tūrangi, towns built for the NZ Army and hydroelectric power respectively. In Waiouru McCormick meets future Officers Cadets and Sergeant Mark Harrison, headed to a peacekeeping role in Bosnia. Army spouse Caroline Dawson is candid about solo parenting while her husband is posted overseas. McCormick also experiences the wonder of the Tongariro Power Scheme and tries his hand fly fishing for rainbow trout. 

They are the young, they are the physically fit, and one assumes, they are the courageous.

– Cadet school Lieutenant Colonel Castell sums up the calibre of young NZ Army cadets in training, near the start of this episode

Key Cast & Crew

Gary McCormick

Presenter

Margot Francis

Editor

William Grieve

Producer

Swami Hansa

Cinematographer

Bruce Morrison

Series Director

Alan Erson

Director