The biggest and most dramatic season yet, here’s what you need to know about The Block Tree Change

The Block Tree Change has been embroiled in scandal for months, short of tradies, supplies, even contestants are quitting, and new complaints of “brutal” living conditions.

In classic The Block fashion, this latest Tree Change season of the hit renovation show is promising to be the biggest and most dramatic yet; but, this time, it might not be too far off.

Not only is the show going bush, shipping out of metro Melbourne to 10-acre blocks in regional Victoria, but it has been embroiled in scandal for months – which has become pretty stock-standard practice for The Block in recent years, to many diehard fans’ dismay.

Its 18th season of The Block has once again upped the ante, but there are fears the homes may not make it to the final auction due to snowballing drama – pandemic supply-chain issues, tradie shortages, and a contestants quitting production (for real this time).

But with the premiere just around the corner, and hype building around the ever-popular renovation show, here’s everything we know about the latest season of The Block so far.

Where is this season being filmed?

After 17 seasons renovating across metro Melbourne and Sydney, The Block Tree Change is going bush. The Block Tree Change will be filmed in Gisborne, Victoria in the picturesque Macedon Ranges.

The area is about a 45 minute drive from Melbourne, and the show’s move to greener pastures follows a growing trend of Australians trading the hustle and bustle of city living for a calmer regional lifestyle during and after Covid.

Aerial view of Gisborne where The Block is filming its 18th season. Picture: Instagram/theblock—gisborne

What are the Blockheads building?

The Tree Change Blockheads have been tasked with building luxurious country getaway homes on a huge 79-acre site at 207 McGeorge Rd, Gisborne. Realestate.com.au reported that the parcel of land in the area was sold for around $11 million in September 2021 – around ten times the median $1.08 million price of the suburb.

The contestants will be renovating homes brought into the suburb, including some Queenslander-style structures rumoured to be from the sunshine state. Other structures have been spotted to join the site’s one existing cottage.

One of the homes being renovated (as of March 12) at Gisborne. Picture: Instagram/theblock_gisborne.

There are some familiar and new faces among the contestants, who arrived on set to begin production in early April.

The biggest star confirmed on the show is ex-Neighbours star Sharon Johal, who starred as Dipi Rebecchi from 2017 to May 2021. The litigation lawyer-turned-actor will be teaming up with her accountant and business advisor husband Ankur Dogra.

Ex-Neighbours star Sharon Johal (right) and husband Ankur Dogra (left) will compete on The Block. Picture: Sharon Johal/Instagram

The Victorians will be joined by Gold Coast couple Dylan Adams and Jenny Heath, who were spotted on-set and supply shopping in Melbourne. The experienced renovators own a luxury construction company in Palm Beach and are reportedly building their own home in the area.

A new male-female team and male duo were spotted on-site with the other contestants.

Influencer Elle Ferguson and her fiance ex-AFL player Joel Patfull had joined production, but quit three days in – a Block first.

Former GWS Giants player Joel Patfull and influencer Elle Ferguson were the first team to quit The Block in its 18-year history. Picture: Elle Ferguson/Instagram

She posted an Instagram story at Melbourne Airport days after arriving on set with a caption saying “family always comes first”.

Ferguson and Patfull (pictured) were back at Melbourne Airport days after landing on The Block set. Picture: Elle Ferguson/Instagram

Ferguson took to her Instagram story to announce their departure from the show. Picture: Elle Ferguson/Instagram

It is understood the couple chose to return home after learning Patfull’s mother suffered terrible injuries from a fall – but weeks later, host Scott Cam slammed their exit as “p*ss poor”.

They have been replaced by another team, who are yet to be named.

There may be a change of scenery and cast, but the big names of The Block are returning for the Tree Change.

Shelley Craft will return to co-host the show with Cam, and judges Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer, and Neale Whitaker will return for the weekly Room Reveals.

Darren Palmer, Neale Whitaker, and Shaynna Blaze are returning as judges The Block Tree Change. Picture: Darren Palmer/Instagram

And, of course, keeping everyone safe on-site will be foremen Keith and Dan.

In another Block-first, Scott Cam will be hosting and competing.

The Bondi chippy will be getting back on the tools for the first time (on television) since he burst onto the scene in Backyard Blitz in 2000.

We may see less of Scott Cam on host duty… Picture: Supplied/Channel 9

… and more of tradie Scott Cam on The Block Tree Change. Picture: Supplied/Channel 9

It’ll be interesting to see whether 18 seasons of hosting The Block have taught him anything about building a showstopping multimillion-dollar home.

When are the auctions?

There has been no official date announced for auctions just yet but based on previous years, November looks to be a possible month.

When will this season of The Block air?

The premiere date is still under wraps, but if we base this season of last year’s record-breaking Fans v Faves we might see Tree Change on our screens in August.