The Block has returned for its 20th season with significant changes in its format and location. For the first time, all five houses will be built specifically for the show on identical 365 sqm floor plans. The development sits on a large 2000 sqm site in Daylesford, Victoria. While the interiors mirror each other, each house will feature distinct exteriors, such as varying roof styles from gabled to flat.
Teams Reveal Backgrounds and Regional Roots
The season introduces five teams from across Australia, representing Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia, though notably none from New South Wales. This marks a first in the show’s history. Emma and Ben, a couple from Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, bring skills in civil engineering and teaching. South Australians Mat and Robby, lifelong friends and small business owners, represent the trades outside renovation experience. Queensland’s Alicia and Sonny are parents with backgrounds in plumbing and dental work. Western Australians Han and Can, partners who share interests in dogs and wine, bring diversity to the group. Police officers Britt and Taz, also Western Australians, come from an outback town, setting a unique tone.
Living Arrangements and Early Challenges
Unlike previous seasons, the contestants will reside in caravans rather than tents during the three-month renovation period. Host Scott Cam provided caravans for all teams, including himself. The caravans serve as both accommodation and a social hub. Mat established a “s**t-free zone” rule for the caravan environment, although this was humorously challenged by Robby’s nocturnal activities.
Creative Skills Tested at Daylesford’s Chillout Festival
The first challenge called for the teams to design and present floats for the Daylesford Chillout Festival. This event celebrates the town’s LGBTIQ+ community and held particular resonance for some competitors. Can spoke emotionally about the importance, stating, “We need to do the lesbians proud and make this big and amazing!” Mat reflected on his own experiences, noting, “High school was probably the toughest time of my life because I was a figure skating, gay boy at a private Catholic school with lesbians for parents, so it wasn’t fking easy in the late 90s, I’ll put it that way.” The competition focused on showmanship as judges Shaynna Blaze, Marty Fox, and Darren Palmer selected the winning float and determined house selection order.
Float Performances and House Selections
The teams’ styles ranged from playful to bold. Mat and Robby faced a caution from Scott regarding family-friendly content after designing a controversial inflatable hammer float. Meanwhile, Britt and Taz won the challenge with their float, which led them to choose House Three, identified by a timber frontage and pitched roof. Emma and Ben selected the dark and moody House One as runners-up, while Robby and Mat took House Five, one of the bookends. Han and Can, missing out on their preferred house, accepted House Two with a flat roof, close to a retaining wall. Alicia and Sonny received House Four, which left Han visibly upset, lamenting, “I hate it. It’s like letting go of my child.”
Renovation Budgets and Room Designs
Each team received $20,000 to begin renovating the bathroom, which features uniform layouts and plumbing systems. Teams must differentiate their rooms with bespoke fixtures and finishes, with no duplicate tiles or fittings allowed. Additionally, the show introduced a budget management incentive. Each week, the best team at balancing their finances will win a $10,000 bonus, providing strategic advantages. Can highlighted the incentive’s importance, saying, “That’s a massive incentive because, even if you don’t win the room or finish you could still come out with $10,000.” Sonny calculated that efficient budgeting could yield up to $50,000 weekly, including bonuses and room wins.
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Teams’ Design Directions and Strategic Moves
Mat and Robby chose a contemporary country style with dark timber finishes, reflecting Mat’s skating background. Alicia and Sonny went for a similar brown palette, creating friendly competition. Emma and Ben selected mid-century modern with green tones to match Daylesford’s environment. Britt and Taz preferred a modern organic look with soft pinks and natural stones. Han’s wish to control design slowed Can, but after consulting Han by phone, Can picked floor-to-ceiling tiles and a green feature wall. Mat and Robby hoped to use the prize money for a wine cellar, asking permission to dig despite the risk of ending up with a big hole if they don’t win.
All Eyes on The New Season
The Block’s 2025 season promises strategic gameplay with an emphasis on design detail and budgeting, set against the backdrop of the Daylesford community and its celebrations. Contestants navigate identical homes while bringing their unique perspectives and challenges to the renovation competition.
