Islands of Australia

Martin Clunes embarks upon a tour of some of Australia's islands in this new three-part series

Perhaps because Australia is the world’s biggest island, we tend to think of it as a big chunk of solid land and that’s that. But there are 8,220 islands circling Australia, 'wrapped around it like a necklace,' says Martin Clunes poetically as he embarks upon an affable tour of some of them in this three-part series.

Setting off from Fort Denison, a history-laden lick of land in Sydney Harbour, he's soon off to Lord Howe Island, whose crystal waters, extinct volcanoes, lush flora and coral reef would make it a decent stand-in for the Garden of Eden.

There, Martin has a go at climbing a Kentia palm tree – 'with all the grace of a hippo'.