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's Block.

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 QLD.

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.

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 the last remaining house on The Block.

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 who gets first choice of the houses at the block.

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

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 that the next 10 weeks of their lives are going to be tougher than they could have ever expected.

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

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.

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 couple will win a bonus point to put towards their room total.

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

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

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 new judge Shaynna Blaze.

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 big shock as Scott Cam announces one very big twist.

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 couples are really feeling the pressure to deliver their hardest task yet.

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 about to pull the plug on their bathroom renovation.

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 bedrooms and ensuites.

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.

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 team will not finish on time for the judges.

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 will award one team an extra $5000.

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 the pressure.

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.

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 friendly waxing.

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.

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 bonus points will come into play.