Outback Australia on Screen

Some of Australia's best known films have been set in our vast outback. From the edgy Priscilla to the epic Australia, we have found the small towns that appear on the big screen.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert 

The film featured the trios incredible journey between Sydney and Alice Springs The film crew hit some of the most well known outback towns in Australia to film, including Broken Hill, New South Wales and Coober Pedy, South Australia.

Coober Pedy hosts the world’s largest opal field in the world. The heat in summer is unbearable, so many residents have made their home underground. Take the chance to experience the local lifestyle yourself and stay at the Desert Cave Hotel, then take a tour of the Old Timers Mine. Not to be missed is the lovely Serbian Church, with its softly lit arched ceiling sculptured into the rock walls.

Serbian Church, Coober Pedy

In the film the trio fulfil one characters long life dream to climb Kings Canyon. You too can climb Kings Canyon or enjoy a jungle floor walk and stay overnight at Kings Canyon Resort or the luxury tents at Kings Canyon Wilderness Park. Alice Springs offers a range of basic to luxury accommodation and flights are available from almost all major cities in Australia. If you prefer to savour the journey, The Ghan travels to Alice Springs from Darwin and Adelaide.

The Kimberleys

Baz Luhrmann's Australia

This epic film was set in East Kimberley and Darwin during WWII. The fictional Faraway Downs (the working cattle station of Carlton Hill Station) is located 50 minutes north west of Kununurra. The hill that provided a dramatic backdrop to the cattle farm is House Roof Hill.

Home Valley Station

Kununurra is well known for it’s the world’s primary source pink diamonds, viewable at the Argyle Diamond Mine. It is also the gateway to the largest man-made lake in Australia, Lake Argyle. Immense in size, it is often called an inland sea. To get the best view of the rugged outback surrounds, dome shape Bungle Bungles and Ord River book a scenic flight.

Bungle Bungles, Purnulu National Park

The film made use of El Questro Wilderness Park to film the cattle stampede scene. The station offers a variety of accommodation options over 80kms. Emma Gorge Resort offers deluxe tented cabins close to swimming gorges and a local bar with restaurant. The Station offers fuel station, a bar, sundry shop and bungalow style accommodation. For travellers looking for the best country hospitality the Homestead set atop of Chamberlain Gorge offers all inclusive packages with selected tours daily.  

El Questro Wilderness Park

Do you Remember the romantic swimming scene between Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman beside the waterfall? That scene was filmed at King George River, located near Faraway Bay, The Bush Camp. The property’s name rings true – to get here you must fly for 70 minutes north west of Kununurra or drive 280km along the 4WD only Gibb River Road. When you arrive you are greeted with the sounds of isolation, of rare wildlife and water gently lapping the edge of the Timor Sea. The property aims to keep your stay tranquil, by setting guest limit to 16 people. Dine in the open air Eagle Lodge, fish the tidal creeks in a dinghy, or swim in the spring-fed plunge pool. Packages include all meals and beverages, daily tours plus scenic air transfers from Kununurra.

 Crocodile Dundee

‘That’s not a knife!’

If you are ready for a game of knifey-spoony then venture into the rugged Kadadu National Park. This World Heritage Listed area offers access to an abundance of wildlife, plunging gorges and unique wildlife. The tropical climate produces lush wetlands and cascading waterfalls such as the impressive Jim Jim and Twin Falls. Aboriginal history is best viewed here too with ancient rock art visible at Noulangie Rock and Ubirr Rock. ‘Spot a croc’ on a cruise along the scenic Yellow Water Billabong or East Alligator River. The cruise will be shared with a range of Australian bird and fresh fish species. Kakadu offers a variety of accommodation, from tented cabins to private resorts.  

Walkabout Creek was not filmed in Northern Territory, but north west Queensland at the tiny township of McKinlay. Set between the mining town of Mt Isa and Winton the town was named after the explorer John McKinlay, who organised the search for Burke and Wills in 1861. If you head into town you can’t miss a trip to the Walkabout Creek Hotel for a traditional counter pub meal. For assistance booking your Outback adventure, speak to the Australian experts at Sunlover Holidays on 13 88 33.