Kaelan Lockhart has been one to watch on Australian Survivor 2025… in more ways than one.
With two back-to-back Immunity Challenge wins under his belt, the charming PhD student, ex-engineer and pro paddle boarder is quickly becoming one of the season’s biggest threats (and fan favourites).
So, who is Kaelan from Australian Survivor, and what’s he been up to since filming wrapped? Here’s what we know.
Kaelan is an Australian Survivor fave onscreen and on the beach
Kaelan has his own dedicated Reddit threads, thirsty Instagram comments, and a growing fanbase online (and in camp). He’s even got fellow castaways a little starry-eyed.
“Kaelan’s social game was so far and above everyone else’s,” Myles told Chattr. “Everyone out on the island loved Kaelan.”
Literally all of us ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ #survivorau https://t.co/5AnoWBDfRX
— Myles Kuah (@mylesmkuah) February 27, 2025
Zara also told Chattr that Kaelan “so beloved” among the tribe.
“He is the man who he can’t put a foot wrong. Socially, everybody adores him. He is constantly helping out around camp, getting everybody coconuts,” she said.
Australian Survivor’s Kaelan has brains and brawn
Don’t let the buff bod fool you, Kaelan started the Australian Survivor season on the Brains tribe for a reason.
He graduated from the University of Queensland with a double degree in electrical engineering and physics and is now a PhD student using AI and drones to map vegetation in Antarctica.
He went full strategy nerd talking when chatting with Channel 10 about Australian Survivor. “This is a life-size board game, how fun is that?” he said.
“As long as you’re in the rules of the game, nothing is immoral. But also, you must judge what people think is immoral, so you still get votes at the end.”
He was a pro paddleboarder
That being said, Kaelan can play both sides of the Brains vs Brawn coin. He grew up on the Sunshine Coast, spending his time surfing, playing rugby, and eventually competing as a professional stand-up paddle boarder in Europe for two years before starting his PhD.
“I’ve lived in a tent for extended periods, I’ve slept on the beach, I’ve lived in a van so doing the surviving part won’t bother me,” he told Channel 10. “I can go without sleep, food and can perform under pressure.”
Just one look at his Instagram, and it’s clear he can’t get enough of the great outdoors. From hiking in Papua New Guinea, snowboarding in France, and (you guessed it) a whole lot of paddle boarding, the man is always on the move.
He’s literally skiing across Norway right now (for charity)
Right now, Kaelan is in the middle of skiing the entire length of Norway (a 2,700–3,000 kilometre solo trek) to raise funds for Cottage by the Sea, a charity that helps give seaside experiences to kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance.
The route includes over 54 kilometres of elevation gain — which is about 15 times the height of Mount Everest from Base Camp. If he finishes, he’ll be the first Australian to ever complete it.
He’s taking a quick break from the trek at the moment to help map surging glaciers in Svalbard with drones. As one does.
He’s clearly the full package, but will Kaelan go all the way on Australian Survivor? We can’t wait to find out.
Good luck with everything, Kaelan!
Stream Australian Survivor 2025 Sundays – Tuesdays on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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