This Friday, Gary Barlow, the travel presenter, returns to our screens, and this time he’s having a grand time with his celebrity pals in Australia. The six-part series for ITV is billed as a culinary journey, taking viewers right around the country to all six States and Territories, from the Northern Territory to South Australia, and from Queensland to Western Australia. The programme was filmed last November when Gary and his Take That bandmates were on tour in Australia. Celebrities who pop up on screen to banter with Gary include Dannii Minogue, John Bishop, Tim Minchin, Andi Peters, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ronan Keating.

Members of the travel trade had a sneak preview of the series last night in the historic cinema hall in Australia House, where Barlow was presented with a framed pair of personalised budgie smugglers, a momento of an iconic moment in the Sydney episode, where Gary was donned a pair of the tight-fitting swimming trunks to swim in the Icebergs pool at Bondi.

Barlow said one of his favourite places in Australia was the Daintree rainforest, where he was joined by his daughter Emily, who is currently studying in Australia. Together they did the River Drift Experience, where you glide along the river using inflatable river sleds.

But he couldn’t limit himself to just one: “One of my favourite places in Australia is Perth. I’m aware, amongst the Aussies, that everyone thinks Perth is a bit too far away and almost like another country but I really enjoy Perth. I think it’s changed a lot over the years. I’ve always had wonderful experiences there. And if you can afford a couple of hours’ drive to visit Margaret River, please do. It’s one of my favourite wine regions in the world.”

He also spoke about the places and experiences that surprised him, such as the Northern Territory: “We were surprised at how many things there were to do between Uluru and Alice Springs. And I was blown away by the food we had. It’s got to be up there as one of the top three places in the world for food. They have this amazing thing where they just grow it and eat it, and I don’t think any of us in the UK really get the chance to sample it.”

David Nottage, managing director at Rock Oyster Media and executive producer of the series, said: “We were looking for stories inspired by Gary’s passion for food and wine. It was a pretty intensive schedule, 18 flights, countless cars, trucks, utes, tractors, trains, horses and even inflatables. We weren’t anywhere for very long but we really packed it in. It was jaw-dropping at absolutely every turn. From cities to vineyards, from deserts to the rainforests, beaches to the mountains, the sun, the moon, the stars, we saw things that just didn’t seem real.”

“It’s easy to focus on the more tabloid idea of the things that live and grow in Australia and in the oceans surrounding Australia. But we didn’t encounter any of that, we were slightly disappointed if I’m honest. What we found everywhere was beauty, bounty, delicious produce, and astonishing wine.”

“What underpinned it all was the people – relaxed, warm, smiling faces, generous spirits. There’s a feeling in Australia that’s really hard to describe and it really lifts your spirits. We hope this show will convey that uncanny sense of happiness and joy and a real zest for life.”

He also paid tribute to Gary as the flag bearer of the show: “Gary embraced everything we asked of him, asked for very little in return, made long days shorter, hard work easier... and never knowingly turned down a negroni.”

This series follows the success of Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa, and was produced in partnership with Tourism Australia and its state tourism partners. Andrew Boxall, Tourism Australia’s regional general manager, UK, said: “We know from our tourism partners in the UK that broadcast still wields enormous influence with British travellers, who do pick up the phone and book the incredible journeys they see on screen. We hope this series will compel those thinking about their next long-haul adventure to be inspired by the diverse array of unique locations, experiences and local characters Australia offers and to put it top of the list.”

Elizabeth Bowes, Australia deputy high commissioner to the United Kingdom, spoke about the importance of tourism as a services export to both the UK and Australia: “Off the back, of this wonderful series, take the opportunity to visit Australia – we need more Brits to come to Australia.” A free trade agreement signed nearly two years ago enables Australians and Britons, up to the age of 35, to live and work in each other’s countries for three years. “That’s a terrific opportunity, it’s called the Youth Mobility Visa, and so the definition of youth has moved up.”

She also didn’t waste the opportunity to highlight that food and wine can be imported between the two countries without any tariffs, via the free trade agreement.