“Rush Australia” Winner Hamish Has Big Plans for His $100K Prize Money

And just like that, the first-ever “Rush Australia” champion has been crowned. What started with 12 everyday Aussies, all came down to Hamish, CK and Sofia in the grand finale. But it was none other than the fearless and determined Hamish who took the win.

After an epic adventure spanning eight countries, it all came to an end in South Africa. From bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge, skydiving at Cape Farms, and a 3km hike up the world-famous Table Mountain, the competition was tough.

But Hamish managed to walk away with the coveted prize — just a mere $100,000 and two first-class around-the-world tickets. No biggie, right?! His triumph was even sweeter with the presence of his mum, who witnessed the magical moment firsthand.

Speaking with POPSUGAR Australia, Hamish reflected on his remarkable journey, shared his plans for the prize money, and revealed why he decided to sign up for the show.

How “Rush Australia” Winner Hamish Will Spend His Prize Money

Hamish’s passion for traveling is undeniable, and winning “Rush Australia” has granted him a golden opportunity to fulfil more of his dreams.

“My passion is traveling, I absolutely love it. And to be able to do all these experiences was very meaningful to me,” he said.

However, what sets Hamish apart is his generous heart. He intends to donate a portion of his $100,000 prize money to the Make A Wish Foundation.

“I’m going to be donating a portion of it to Make A Wish Foundation, to those that are less fortunate. For kids to do their wish,” he said. “Particularly children have been dealt a bit of a rough hand in life, so they can at least live out one of their dreams. I think that’d be really special.”

Aside from that, he plans to use some of that money towards his HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) debt. Amen to that.

“So I’ll probably pay a little bit of that,” he said. “And then I will probably take my family on a nice holiday and a very romantic holiday with my partner.

“My grandma was a big inspiration for me. She’s just about to turn 97 and she did a lot of travelling in her time back when it wasn’t very easy or accessible. So I will be taking her to a very nice lunch.”

Hamish’s “Rush Australia” Journey

Reflecting on his “Rush Australia” journey, Hamish expressed his delight in watching it all back on screen. “It’s actually really fun to watch it back because you get to kind of relive the moments again, which has been phenomenal.”

One unique aspect of the show was having no interaction between the teams, leaving them unaware of each other’s experiences. Hamish said that witnessing the other teams’ journeys on television was eye-opening, and praised his fellow finalists, CK and Sofia, for their determination and camaraderie during the competition.

“All three of us were just so proud of one another. And we said, ‘however the results go, everyone should be so proud of how hard they went for it’,” Hamish shared.

For Hamish, it was all about the experience, and not so much about winning. He emphasised pushing himself to his limits, regardless of the outcome, and being proud of his efforts.

“Even if I didn’t end up with the win, it was like, ‘You gave it your all, you put your best foot forward. You should be proud of yourself for that’,” he said.

He added: “I think all three (CK and Sofia) of us felt like that. When we were in the final waiting for the flares to go off and know who won, all three of us were just so proud of one another. And we said, ‘however the results go, everyone should be so proud of how hard they went for it.’

“I was just happy to be on the show to go do all the travelling,” he said. “I would’ve be so stoked and excited with just what we got to do. And we got so many once in a lifetime experiences.”

Why Hamish Applied for the Show

Hamish’s decision to join “Rush Australia” was a serendipitous one. Fresh out of completing his MBA (Masters of Business Administration) at the University of Adelaide, he was about to dive into the job market when destiny called.

“One of the ads popped up, like a trailer for a global adventure to places you’ve only ever dreamed of,” he said.

An avid traveler and adventure enthusiast, the show seemed tailor-made for him. And as luck would have it, not only did he win the adventure of a lifetime, but he also landed the win.

Missed an episode of “Rush Australia”? Catch up on 9Now.

Want more “Rush” goss? Check out the articles below:

• Get Ready for the Ultimate Adrenaline-Fuelled Journey with Channel 9’s “RUSH”
• Ready to Embark on a Thrilling Journey? Here’s When and Where to Watch “Rush”
• David Genat Is Entering His Hosting Era With “Rush Australia”
• Meet the Cast of “Rush Australia” as They Set Off on an Unforgettable Adventure
• Here’s Everyone Who Has Been Sent Home on “Rush Australia” 2023