The Block set to make huge change to new season: 'Seriously this needs to happen'

The Block may be set to make a huge change to the show in the coming years. While Daylesford has been locked and loaded as the location of the 2025 season, there seem to be a few key signs that The Block might be leaving Melbourne in the year following.

A TV insider tells Yahoo Lifestyle that Queensland may be the new home to The Block in 2026, revealing: "One of the judges was also heard publicly supporting the move."

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"The move is on the cards and I think the fans are ready for it," they added. "The locations for The Block being in Victoria has had a lot to do with the creators all having family in Melbourne but the word on the street is that the location scout who works with Executive Producer Julian Cress has been asked to look outside of the state and try something new."

When Channel Nine launched The Block in 2003, the first three seasons were shot in Bondi Beach, Manly and Vaucluse. It was only the 4th season that had the show moved to Melbourne, where it has been filmed ever since.

"Channel Nine are keen to brighten up the show and they feel like the warmer weather might also be a positive change for the contestants," our source says.

Marty Fox supports The Block's move to Queensland

Marty Fox, one of the judges on the show, was asked this month on The Chrissie Swan Show where he would like to see The Block move to, and he was quick to answer Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.

"Seriously and this needs to happen," Marty said. "You need to get to Burleigh Heads. It would be off its head. The visuals, the beach, the energy, the people... That's where it should be I think.

"They'll get buyers from all over Australia, not just local," he added. "And land's actually not that expensive, compared to trying to do things in Melbourne."

A Queensland location would be great for Shelley Craft, who is based in Byron Bay and has been commuting for over a decade.

The crew that work on The Block are like a family, and they have always been Melbourne-based. However, after a very dreary season in Phillip Island and some controversial storylines, it would seem Channel Nine is keen to lock in Queensland for 2026.

What's the location for The Block 2025?

The Block’s executive producer Julian Cress announced in July that season 21 will be filmed in Daylesford, Victoria.

The 2024 season was originally set to take place in the country town but was forced to relocate in September - just five months before production was scheduled to begin - due to permit issues and complaints from locals. The show was then filmed in Phillip Island, however, plans have finally been approved for a tree change.

“After a lot of wrangling back and forth, the plans that we submitted to the council in Daylesford were finally approved a couple of months ago, so we’ve decided we’re going to go there,” Julian Cress told TV Tonight.

The Block makes major casting change for 2025 season

An insider recently revealed to Yahoo Lifestyle that longtime casting director Lucky Price won’t return to the program next year after working on the past 18 seasons.

“This was a real shock to The Block family when the news broke this week, with contestants and producers all sharing their stories over the years. It’s the end of an era for sure,” they share.

“Lucky has certainly been a huge part of The Block’s success. He has been responsible for so many of the most iconic Block contestants and without him, you wouldn’t have had people like Mitch and Mark, Ronnie and Georgia, and Kristy and Brett on your TV screen.

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“From fan favourites to PG ‘villains’, it's a real skill set to find personalities that audiences will either ‘love’ or ‘love to hate’. He has unearthed talent from around Australia and it will be a noticeable departure from what we have been seeing on The Block.”

The insider adds that Lucky’s departure would be great news for previous applicants who haven’t made it very far in the casting process as they can now apply again and be viewed by a different set of eyes.

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