Australian Survivor is pitting contestants’ intellect against raw physical power in the aptly titled Brains V Brawn season, and tonight a winner will be crowned.
Set in the harsh Aussie Outback, the latest season promised to be the most gruelling ever and its living up to that promise.
While some contenders have been thriving in the brutal conditions, others have found that playing a social game is the only way for them to win.
But whether you’re an MMA fighter or a marine scientist, the fact of the matter is that no one is safe.
The Brawn tribe seemed to dominate the challenges from the get-go, while the Brains tribe used their cunning and intelligence to get ahead.
Now down to the final castaways, each tribal council has becomg a nail-biting experience.
With so few torches left to get snuffed out by host Jonathan LaPaglia, which challengers will outlast and which will be booted so close to the finish line?
Keep on scrolling to find out who has been kicked off Australian Survivor: Brains V Brawn so far.
Flick, Fire tribe – Episode 24
After almost beating Hayley in the brutal final challenge, Flick was eliminated at the last tribal council of the season. Sensing what a threat Flick was, Hayley chose to vote her out and go to jury with George as her only competition.
“Survivor now represents not just who I was but who I’ve become. I’m so proud of myself and my mental strength,” she wrote on Instagram before being eliminated.
Cara
Cara, Fire tribe – Episode 23
Cara was sent packing after Hayley convinced her and George to turn on each other after maintaining a strong alliance for weeks. The self-proclaimed ‘Duchess of Double Bay’ was eliminated at a nail-biting tribal council, but she doesn’t seem to have any hard feelings about George’s betrayal.
“Making it onto Survivor was a dream come true for me – let alone making it Day 46 and FINAL FOUR!” she wrote on Instagram after her elimination aired. “And to you King George – Thank you. The other half of our dynamic duo who caused chaos and still had fun.”
Wai
Wai, Fire tribe – Episode 22
After an incredible run on Survivor, Wai was finally eliminated when Flick played an immunity idol that saved her at tribal council. The four remaining Brains were originally gunning for the only remaining Brawn tribe, but when George guessed she may play an immunity idol he and Cara decided to vote Wai out instead.
Wai was proud of making it to the final five, writing on Instagram: “I can’t begin to articulate what an incredible journey this has been. From being 100% certain I was going home on Day 2 to making it all the way to Day 44 (and wearing an Immunity Necklace around my neck!) – this experience has just been absolutely extraordinary.”
Dani
Dani, Fire tribe – Episode 21
She was in it to win it, but Dani couldn’t save herself from being eliminated at one of the most tense tribal councils to date. When the first vote resulted in a three-way tie between her, Cara and Flick, votes had to be cast again and Dani came out on the bottom. She was sent home – but at least she won a car, right?!
Taking to Instagram after her elimination, Dani wrote: “I’m absolutely stoked having made it to the top 6 and lasting 43 days in the Australian outback… Big thanks to the entire cast and crew who made this amazing experience possible!”
Andrew
Andrew, Fire tribe – Episode 19
And then there were six! Andrew predicted he’d be eliminated early in the episode, when he realised George and Cara were playing a game of their own and his head was on the chopping block. After receiving the most votes at tribal council, he had a chance to stay in the game by finding a save scroll in one of four urns, but the one he chose was empty and Andrew was sent packing.
After his elimination, the survival expert took to Instagram and wrote: “No regrets on how I played the game, but maybe I should have watched the show before going on there Haha.”
Emmett
Emmett, Fire tribe – Episode 18
It looked like Emmett was on the path to victory – that is, until George got involved. The allies-turned-rivals were both trying to get the other booted as they headed into tribal council, but it was George who managed to sway the votes and finally eliminate Emmett.
The offical Survivor Instagram wrote after Emmett’s elimination: “Unfortunately, the might of King George was too strong to contend with. We’ll miss you and your yellow shorts, Emmett!”
Laura
Laura, Fire tribe – Episode 17
After facing elimination a few times this season, Laura was finally sent home with just one vote against her name. After George played a hidden immunity idol to save Cara at tribal council, Laura was the one left on the chopping block.
“Torched is officially snuffed.🔥 What a wild ride. 35 days sleeping in the dirt, being absolutely filthy- it’s definitely time for a shower 🚿” she wrote on Instagram after being eliminated.
Gerald
Gerald, Fire tribe – Episode 16
The original members of the Brawn tribe began to turn on each other as Dani and Emmett worked to eliminate each other, but somehow it was Gerald who was sent packing. After playing both alliances against each other, George convinced the original Brains tribe members to vote Gerlad out.
There were no hard feelings though, Gerald writing on Instagram: “When the writing is on the wall, you have to accept fate with a smile, embrace the future and what is to come.”
baden
Baden, Fire tribe – Episode 15
Baden was actually voted off in episode 14, but got to stick around until Hayley was voted off in episode 15 to fight it out for a spot back on the tribe. They faced off in a one-on-one challenge of endurance, but in the end Hayley outlasted Baden.
“A challenge that was never going to be good for me, Hayley could have sat there for hours if need be,” he wrote on Instagram after being eliminated. “The only consolation is that I was beaten by a fierce competitor and genuine, Sole Survivor contender.”
chelsea
Chelsea, Fire tribe – Episode 15
The MMA fighter’s time on Survivor was cut short when she was pulled out of the game by a medical issue that couldn’t be resolved within the 24 hour time limit, forcing her to forfeit. Speaking about her exit on Instagram, Chelsea said her rapid weight loss, dehydration and an inner ear infection were to blame.
“The Survivor medics decided to pull me from the game and to be honest I didn’t want to put my body through it anymore either,” she wrote. “I have big plans in my MMA career in the future and that was at the forefront of my mind. It’s an absolute devastating way to leave the game but health comes before anything.”
Kez, Fire tribe – Episode 13
The two tribes have merged into the new Fire tribe and the first castaway eliminated was Kez. In a shocking blindside at tribal council, the old members of Brawn tribe were gunning for Laura, but Hayley played her immuntiy idol for Laura. That meant that the majority of votes didn’t count, and Kez was sent packing with just three votes.
Taking to Instagram after her shock elimination aired, Kez wrote: “‘What did I just do?!’ was one of the first things I said when I walked out of tribal followed by ‘Lets go get burgers’ 🍔. But man survivor was the wildest and most rewarding thing I have ever experienced.”
Simon, new Brawn tribe – Episode 12
How did that happen? Simon had not one but two immunity idols to his name when he was eliminated! He put his faith in his alliance with Dani and Chelsea, hoping to remain “Brawn strong”, but in the end the girls totally blindsided him at tribal council and sent him packing.
“Not going to lie… that one hurts with 2 idols. But I can’t even be mad about that 👏🏽” he wrote on Instagram after being eliminated. “Well played… to the ENTIRE tribe. That will go down in history 🦅🦅”
Rachel
Rachel, new Brain tribe – Episode 11
Cracks are starting to show in the new Brains tribe, and after Emmett threw a challenge it looked like Rachel and Laura would be in the firing line at tribal council. Rachel looked to the original Brains tribe members for support, but it wasn’t enough to save her and she was voted out.
She took to Instagram to reflect on her elimination, writing: “What a privilege to play this game! I made some heartfelt connections and met some straight up beautiful humans @georgiaray.psychologist @iamlaurawells my favourite molls! And the OG 🧠tribe were a really quirky, intelligent and fun group of people.”
Georgia
Georgia, new Brain tribe – Episode 10
It looked like Georgia was back in the game after a 24 hour break from camp due to an unspecified illness, but the former Brawn members on the new Brains tribe only saw her as the weakest link. She was booted in an intense tribal council, but the forensic psychologist has no regrets.
She wrote on Instagram: “So gutted not to be this years brainiest Survivor, but to have my torch snuffed on my 35th birthday was probably one of the most thrilling moments of my life!”
Shannon
Shannon, new Brawn tribe – Episode 9
Shannon’s social game fell apart when she tried to convince Simon to vote against members of his alliance, leading the tribe to turn on her. At a brutal double tribal council, the Brawn tribe voted for Shannon to leave, while Brains voted for Laura to be booted.
Four castaways with immunity were then given the task of deciding who would stay and who would go home. Things looked split down the middle, until Simon revealed Shannon’s sly plan and all four castaways with immunity decided to vote her out.
Thankfully, Shannon didn’t take her elimination too hard, writing on Instagram: “Playing Survivor is not only physically draining but mentally as well. I truly tested my mind, body and spirit and feel so empowered coming out of it.
I’ve made lifelong friends and realised I do have a competitive side to myself.”
Daini
Daini, new Brain tribe – Episode 8
Well that didn’t go as planned. After joining the new Brains tribe in a huge shakeup, Daini AKA Big D seemed ready to take charge as one of the strongest players on the team. But when tribal council rolled around, one blunder sent him home.
The majority alliance had agreed to eliminate Rachel using George’s plan, which was based on mathematical probability. However, Cara accidentally voted for Laura instead of Rachel, skewing the votes and getting Daini eliminated.
Daini addressed the mixup in an Instagram post, writing: “Watching that all back brought up all my feels and confusion about that tribal. I’m Still staring at the fire wondering how Cara got the vote wrong?”
Joey
Joey, Brain tribe – Episode 7
Joey was sent packing in the biggest blindside of the season, after Hayley secretly convinced the majority of the Brains tribe to vote against him at a nail-biting tribal council.
The bold player never saw it coming and took to social media after his elimination aired to write: “Hayles, you played me like a banjo tonight and executed that blindside perfectly, well played legend!”
Mitch
Mitch, Brain tribe – Episode 5
Mitch was booted from the Brains tribe in an unexpected twist as the group returned to tribal council for only the second time this season. George was pegged for elimination, until he revealed to the tribe that he had an immunity idol.
The Brains tribe was then divided, with one alliance gunning for Laura and the other trying to eliminate Mitch, In the end, the doctor was voted out in a twist even George didn’t see coming.
Benny
Benny, Brawn tribe – Episode 4
The Brawn tribe are losing numbers fast, after Benny was eliminated in a shocking blindside orchestrated by Simon. The entrepreneur thought he was safe going into tribal council, but behind the scenes some members of his alliance had flipped and voted against him.
It doesn’t look like he’s happy about being voted off either, saying very little about the show on social media. He did share one comment from a fan on his Instagram Stories, where the fan wrote in part: “No matter what Benny you are the best survivor of the Brawns tribe.”
Gavin
Gavin, Brawn tribe – Episode 3
Gavin was totally blindsided when he was eliminated at tribal council after fellow Brawn tribe member Kez played a hidden immunity idol. The former AFL legend had been part of a solid alliance with two other Brawn blokes, but was sent home after being voted out.
“What can I say, all good things come to an end,” he wrote on Instagram after being cut from the competition. You’ll be sorely missed on the Brawn tribe Gavin!
Janelle
Janelle, Brawn tribe – Episode 2
Janelle became the first member of the Brawn tribe to be sent home at tribal council. The ‘tribe mum’ was ousted after she and Daini struggled to finish a puzzle in time, causing the tribe to lose the immunity challenge.
“The trick is to realise that after giving your best, there’s nothing more to give. Win or lose the game is finished. It’s over ! It’s time to forget and prepare for the next challenge,” she wrote on Instagram following her exit.
Phil
Phil, Brains tribe – Episode 1
Phil from the Brains tribe was the first contestant to be voted off Australian Survivor 2021. Their exit came after a bombshell was dropped at tribal council, when George revealed he had an advantage and could save himself and five others from elimination. The remaining six castaways then voted, and Phil was eliminated.
“When he left me behind, I knew I was done… we didn’t have a plan B,” they told TV WEEK. “At least I can say I got voted out because of some crazy twist and not necessarily because I did something wrong.”