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Season guide

The Block: Season 5

67 episodes Premiered Apr 16, 2012 Updated Sep 27, 2026

The fifth season of The Block premiered on Monday, 16 April 2012 at 7:00 pm on the Nine Network. Both host Scott Cam and "Challenge Master" Shelley Craft returned from the previous season. Like the previous season, this season was filmed in Melbourne, with the four houses to be renovated located in the inner-city suburb of South Melbourne. At first, this season wasn't to air in New Zealand, but has now been picked

Previously on The Block

Season 5 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Block Season 4.
  • ⚡ Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
  • ⚡ Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
  • ⚡ Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.

Season overview

The fifth season of The Block premiered on Monday, 16 April 2012 at 7:00 pm on the Nine Network. Both host Scott Cam and "Challenge Master" Shelley Craft returned from the previous season.

Like the previous season, this season was filmed in Melbourne, with the four houses to be renovated located in the inner-city suburb of South Melbourne.

At first, this season wasn't to air in New Zealand, but has now been picked up by TV3. All four previous seasons have aired on Prime.

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Season 5 Episodes

Episode Guide

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Season 5: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

Time Saved 0.7h Skipping 2 filler episodes
93%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (62): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (2): Standalone / filler
S5·E1 Mytharc

Elimination Night 1

Apr 16, 2012 · 48 min

The Block returns for 2012 as eight new couples meet their host Scott Cam in Melbourne to compete in a fierce elimination challenge that will see the final four move into this year

S5·E2 Core

Elimination Night 2

Apr 17, 2012 · 29 min

The competition heats up in the Red Elimination House as The Block hosts a state of origin clash when Brad & Lara from NSW take on a father and daughter team Larry & Jessie from QL

S5·E3 Core

Elimination Night 3

Apr 18, 2012 · 47 min

It's the battle of the newlyweds in the third of 4 elimination challenges, Sophie & Dale, married just 5 months will take on Brendan & Michelle, married for one year.

S5·E4 Core

Elimination Night 4

Apr 19, 2012 · 40 min

In tonight's episode, the last of the Red House eliminations, two brothers Andrew & Mike from NSW will take on the show's first ever mother and son team, Rana & Brett from VIC for

S5·E5 Core

House Decider Challenge

Apr 20, 2012 · 21 min

Four couples have made it through the elimination, and now the fun really begins. Host Scott Cam welcomes them to Luna Park in Melbourne for their next big challenge to find out wh

S5·E6 Filler

The Block Unlocked

Apr 22, 2012 · 20 min

Go behind the scenes with judges Neale Whitaker, John McGrath and newcomer Shaynna Blaze as they review their judging of this week's eliminations.

S5·E7 Core

Move into The Block

Apr 23, 2012 · 48 min

Host Scott Cam introduces the couples to their new homes, four dilapidated, gold-rush-era houses in South Melbourne with dirt floors and just a few walls. All the teams realise tha

S5·E8 Core

Shelley Craft's Challenge

Apr 24, 2012 · 24 min

Challenge master Shelley Craft puts the couples through their next big challenge.

S5·E9 Core

Room 1 Renovations Continue

Apr 25, 2012 · 41 min

The couples are tired, the conditions are primitive, and they have to get their first room ready for the judges, who will arrive again in just a few days.

S5·E10 Core

Scotty's Workshop Challenge

Apr 26, 2012 · 46 min

The couples are called into Scotty's workshop for the first time. Their challenge is to design and build a piece of furniture for their homes, but Scotty has a big twist as one cou

S5·E11 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Block

Apr 27, 2012 · 20 min

Scott Cam and Shelley Craft review progress as the couples struggle to complete their first room. All are feeling the pressure.

S5·E12 Filler

The Block Unlocked

Apr 28, 2012 · 20 min

Go behind the scenes with judges Neale Whitaker, John McGrath and Shaynna Blaze as they review the contestants progress on room one.

S5·E13 Core

Room Reveal

Apr 29, 2012 · 46 min

The couples race to deliver their first rooms for the judges. The competition is fierce for the $5000 weekly room prize, which will be decided by Neale Whitaker, John McGrath and n

S5·E14 Core

Shelley Craft's Challenge

Apr 30, 2012 · 25 min

There's gold fever at the block as challenge master Shelley Craft takes the teams out of the city to strike it rich in the Victorian goldfields. But the winning teams are in for a

S5·E15 Core

Two-Room Week Continues

May 1, 2012 · 46 min

The teams risk it all in the goldfields in an effort to try to double their winnings - or lose the lot. Then it's back to the block to continue two-room week, and all of the couple

S5·E16 Core

Scotty's Workshop Challenge

May 2, 2012 · 42 min

Host Scott Cam springs another challenge, and this time there's an all-important bonus point up for grabs. But back at the block, there's trouble with the tradies, and one team is

S5·E17 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Block

May 3, 2012 · 40 min

All four couples are desperately trying to keep their renovations on track for this week's room delivery as Scott Cam and Shelley Craft drop in to review progress of their master b

S5·E18 Core

The Block Unlocked

May 4, 2012 · 20 min

Take an in-depth look back at the first week's room deliveries as the judges explain their decisions and the couples review each other's rooms during the open for inspection.

S5·E19 Core

Room Reveal

May 6, 2012 · 42 min

With $10,000 on the line, the four couples rush to complete their room delivery of the main bedrooms and their ensuites. It's the end of a hellish two-room week, and at least one t

S5·E20 Core

Shelley Craft's Challenge

May 7, 2012 · 26 min

After delivering two whole rooms for the judges, the couples face an even tougher task: challenge master Shelley Craft gives them two rooms in one day! Guest judge Darren Palmer wi

S5·E21 Core

Guest / Powder Room Renovations Continue

May 8, 2012 · 39 min

Site Foreman Keith has some bad news for one team as they try to redesign their powder room under the stairs. With an upstairs guest room to deliver as well, everyone is feeling th

S5·E22 Core

Scotty's Challenge Featuring Shaynna Blaze

May 9, 2012 · 42 min

The teams are called into Scotty's workshop for a crash course in upholstery, which turns out to be a very tough challenge for two teams who have never used a sewing machine before

S5·E23 Core

Renovations and Paintball

May 10, 2012 · 39 min

The race is on to finish another two rooms but a sudden game of paint ball puts a halt on renovations. Also, the boys decide to test their pain barriers by engaging in some friendl

S5·E24 Core

The Block Unlocked

May 11, 2012 · 20 min

Judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and John McGrath review the master bedrooms and ensuites, and the couples look over each other's rooms for the first time.

S5·E25 Core

Room Reveal

May 13, 2012 · 45 min

The teams are racing to complete their second two-room week and deliver their guest bedrooms and powder rooms. It's the closest judging so far, and this time the all-important bonu

S5·E26 Core

Challenge

May 14, 2012 · 24 min

Challenge Master Shelley Craft goes green with a pedal-powered challenge: Each couple must generate their own electricity to make a DIY windmill. But what starts out eco-friendly q

S5·E27 Core

Renovations Continue

May 15, 2012 · 42 min

It's bathroom week and everyone is having issues with their renovations. Dan and Dani have spent $5000 on a bath but then discover it won't fit. One team breaks the noise restricti

S5·E28 Core

Scotty's Workshop Challenge

May 16, 2012 · 39 min

Host Scott Cam has set the couples a mind-bending challenge when he presents them with the world's hardest flat-pack. There are bonus points on the line if they can complete it - a

S5·E29 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Block

May 17, 2012 · 40 min

The issue of noise restrictions is a hot topic, and now Dan is upset at Dale about breaking the rules. Scott Cam and Shelley Craft review progress as the couples struggle to comple

S5·E30 Core

The Block Unlocked

May 18, 2012 · 19 min

The Block's judges - Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and John McGrath - review their decision about the teams' guest rooms and powder rooms, and the couples give their views of their

S5·E31 Core

Room Reveal

May 20, 2012 · 45 min

Host Scott Cam calls tools down on the teams as they complete their main bathroom and laundry in time for the judges. There's turmoil as one couple is accused of cheating.

S5·E32 Core

Challenge

May 21, 2012 · 24 min

Challenge master Shelley Craft takes the teams to Daylesford in country Victoria, where they will have just five hours to style a room for Belle Magazine and be judged by editor Ne

S5·E33 Core

Renovations Continue

May 22, 2012 · 40 min

In their race to complete a bedroom and their hallways, some teams try to cut corners, which puts them in the firing line with site foreman Keith. Host Scott Cam tries to teach Dan

S5·E34 Core

Scotty's Workshop Challenge

May 23, 2012 · 21 min

Host Scott Cam brings in some very tough clients and judges as the teams are set the task of building the world's best cubbyhouse in the workshop challenge.

S5·E35 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Block

May 24, 2012 · 40 min

The teams have finally reached the halfway mark in their renovations and reflect on the last 50 days living at the block. Scott and Shelley stop by to see how the teams are progres

S5·E36 Core

The Block Unlocked

May 25, 2012 · 19 min

The judges - Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and John McGrath - review their decision about the teams' main bathrooms and laundries, and the couples give their views of their neighbo

S5·E37 Core

Room Reveal

May 27, 2012 · 45 min

The teams are working all-nighters again in their efforts to complete their guest rooms and hallways. Judges award one team the highest scores of the series so far to win the weekl

S5·E38 Core

Challenge

May 28, 2012 · 22 min

The teams are blessed by local priest Father Bob before setting out on a challenge set by Shelley Craft to raise money for his foundation to feed the homeless.

S5·E39 Core

Renovations Continue

May 29, 2012 · 41 min

The teams are trying to protect their city views during the renovations of their rooftop terraces, and everyone is hoping for divine intervention as they face the crowds at the cha

S5·E40 Core

Scotty's Workshop Challenge

May 30, 2012 · 42 min

Host Scott Cam presents the couples with the toughest challenge they have faced: The winner will be the team who can complete the most renovation tasks in one 24-hour period.

S5·E41 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Block

May 31, 2012 · 42 min

The teams are juggling budget problems with the needs of getting trades and materials in order to complete this week's rooms. With just a day to go every team is feeling the stress

S5·E42 Core

The Block Unlocked

Jun 1, 2012 · 20 min

The Block's judges - Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and John McGrath - review their decision about the teams' main bathrooms and laundry areas.

S5·E43 Core

Room Reveal

Jun 3, 2012 · 44 min

With just four hours to go until room reveal, all four teams are rushing to complete their rooftop terraces in time for the judges. As budgets are getting tighter, everyone is desp

S5·E44 Core

Shelley Craft's Challenge

Jun 4, 2012 · 22 min

Challenge master Shelley Craft wakes the couples at 4am for this challenge, which kicks off at Melbourne's famous flower markets, where she unveils a very rare botanical money tree

S5·E45 Core

Renovations Continue

Jun 5, 2012 · 43 min

One team has a very difficult decision to make as they can double their winnings by reaching into their neighbours' pockets. The brothers try to keep their room swap a secret from

S5·E46 Core

Scotty's Workshop Challenge

Jun 6, 2012 · 41 min

Scott Cam welcomes game-show host Ed Phillips to the workshop to kick off a big money guessing competition and a magical mystery tour around Melbourne.

S5·E47 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Block

Jun 7, 2012 · 46 min

A team member is rushed to hospital with an illness, which leaves his partner at home to fend for herself in trying to complete the living room. Her neighbours then have to decide

S5·E48 Core

The Block Unlocked

Jun 8, 2012 · 20 min

The judges - Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze, and John McGrath - review their decision about the teams' renovations of their roof terraces, and the couples give their views of their

S5·E49 Core

Room Reveal

Jun 10, 2012 · 43 min

After three days in hospital, Dale finally returns to the block, just in time to help Sophie finish their living room in time for judgement day.

S5·E50 Core

Shelley Craft's Challenge

Jun 11, 2012 · 22 min

All four teams make a start on their kitchens. Challenge master Shelley Craft welcomes some familiar faces as newly engaged couple Polly and Waz and Josh and Jenna return to the bl

S5·E51 Core

Renovations Continue

Jun 12, 2012 · 49 min

With kitchens and an extra room to complete, all four teams are under the pump to deliver this week. Lara takes charge of the renovations in her house when Brad leaves the block an

S5·E52 Core

Scotty's Workshop Challenge

Jun 13, 2012 · 20 min

Scott Cam sets the teams a workshop challenge to create a dining table from scratch and then turns the tables when they discover their creations will be going on public display in

S5·E53 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Block

Jun 14, 2012 · 43 min

The public get to vote for the winner of yesterday's massive challenge and everybody hopes for a win as their budgets are now extremely tight. And Brad and Lara come up with a nove

S5·E54 Core

The Block Unlocked

Jun 15, 2012 · 20 min

The Block's judges, Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and John McGrath review their decision about the teams renovations of their living rooms and the couples give their views of their

S5·E55 Core

Room Reveal

Jun 17, 2012 · 43 min

With a double-room week and a prize of $10,000 up for grabs, the four teams are in a race to complete their kitchens and their room savers in time for judging.

S5·E56 Core

Shelley Craft's Challenge

Jun 18, 2012 · 22 min

Lara hits rock bottom when she and Brad run out of money, but Shelley comes to the rescue with a challenge to build a barbecue and potentially save their budgets. The Melbourne Sto

S5·E57 Core

Renovations Continue

Jun 19, 2012 · 41 min

Brad and Lara believe foreman Keith has it in for them when he asks for changes to their outdoor plans. Next-door neighbours Dan and Dani are desperately trying to achieve a garden

S5·E58 Core

Scotty's Workshop Challenge

Jun 20, 2012 · 43 min

Scott Cam and Shelley Craft take the contestants out for a sports-day challenge. Each couple will represent their house colours as they battle to win much-needed cash for their gar

S5·E59 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Block

Jun 21, 2012 · 39 min

The teams are back at the block and hard at work on their exteriors. Once the fences go up between the houses, one team finds themselves completely blocked off. Mike and Andrew fin

S5·E60 Core

The Block Unlocked

Jun 22, 2012 · 20 min

Judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze, and John McGrath review their decision about the teams' renovations of their kitchens and 'room savers' and the couples give their views of th

S5·E61 Core

Room Reveal

Jun 24, 2012 · 44 min

After 10 weeks of renovating, the teams are now racing to complete their most challenging room delivery - their gardens and front facades of their homes. The winning team will take

S5·E62 Core

Challenge Week Commences

Jun 25, 2012 · 44 min

The couples are packing up to move out of the block, but host Scott Cam surprises them with a massive, week-long renovation challenge that could determine the winner of the competi

S5·E63 Core

Challenge Week Renovations Continue

Jun 26, 2012 · 40 min

Day two of the final challenge, and the scale of the project ahead of them is proving daunting for everyone. Site foreman Keith predicts that time management will prove the downfal

S5·E64 Core

Scott and Shelley Walk Around The Challenge House

Jun 27, 2012 · 42 min

After three long days of renovating, the teams are battling with each other to deliver the best results. Everyone is relying on the skills learned over the past 10 weeks to get the

S5·E65 Core

Challenge House Room Reveal

Jun 28, 2012 · 44 min

In the race to the finish line, all four teams are desperate to get an edge over the competition and complete the challenge in time for the special guest judges.

S5·E66 Mytharc

The Block Unlocked

Jun 29, 2012 · 20 min

In this final episode of Unlocked the teams reflect on their renovations and prepare for their open for inspections and the all-important auction day.

S5·E67 Mytharc

The Block Auction Grand Finale

Jul 1, 2012 · 93 min

All four houses go up for public auction. Each team will keep the profit they make over reserve and the team with the highest margin will also win the grand prize of $100,000.

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