The Whitsunday region is Queensland’s renowned northern paradise, where clear turquoise waters meet swirling white silica sands. So much more than an A-list getaway, The Whitsundays is abundant with film location possibilities.
The region, which is traditionally the lands of the Ngaro, Gia, Juri, Jangga and Birriah Peoples, is characterised by its stunning archipelago extending along the Great Barrier Reef. The cluster of 74 tropical islands measures a total 175 square miles (283 square kilometres), stretching off the shores of the seaside township of Bowen, past the mainland tourist hub of Airlie Beach and down off the coast to the rural centre of Proserpine.
Productions recently filmed around The Whitsundays include Universal Pictures’ Ticket to Paradise (doubling for Bali) and Netflix feature films Spiderhead and Love is in the Air — releasing 28 September in the US and 29 September in the UK. Past projects include Fool’s Gold, Modern Family (Season 5) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (Salazar’s Revenge).
Image by Mark Fitz courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
The largest of the island group is Whitsunday Island – home to the landmark Whitehaven Beach and the marble-like patterned Hill Inlet. The Whitsundays’ six national parks and numerous private resorts provide plentiful secluded filming opportunities.
Image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
Image courtesy of Universal Pictures
“We wanted to make a movie about paradise, so choosing Queensland was the perfect location to do so. Not only did it deliver stunning backdrops that lit up our screens, but it was the friendly and down to earth people who helped make it a joy to produce a movie. It has been a privilege to work with the world class Queensland crews and to have been so welcomed by people all across the state, making this such a special time for all of us.”
Tim Bevan
Producer, Ticket to Paradise
Image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
The nearby inland town of Proserpine boasts patchwork farmlands and canefields, with its township dotted with charming heritage buildings – the perfect setting for internationally acclaimed Australian series Black Snow. Rugged countryside, lakes, rivers and waterfalls are also a short venture away.
Image courtesy of Goalpost Pictures
Image courtesy of Goalpost Pictures
Image by Westernthuderer (Flickr)
Image by Brooke Miles, courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
Image by Riptide Creative, courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
Image by Riptide Creative, courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
Further north and close to the coast is the town of Bowen. Famous for delicious mangoes and historical buildings, including the Grand View Hotel, it was integral to Australia’s local World War II efforts, with its strikingly wide streets a legacy of that time. Bowen successfully doubled for Darwin in Baz Luhrmann’s wartime epic Australia and was also used for Nim’s Island.
Image courtesy of the Grand View Hotel
Image courtesy of Bazmark and 20th Century Fox
Screen Queensland Studios, Cairns will open in early 2024 to service production throughout Queensland’s northern regions. The Whitsundays is a short connecting flight from Cairns International Airport, serviced by two domestic airports – Hamilton Island Airport and Whitsundays Coast Airport near Proserpine.
Productions filming in The Whitsundays are eligible for support from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy. Screen Queensland also offers location and scouting assistance.
To learn more about Queensland locations, studios and state government incentives, contact Screen Queensland:
Naomi Wenck
Head of Production Attraction
[email protected]
+61 7 3248 0500