From beautiful beaches and national parks to hinterland retreats, cane fields and sub-tropical rainforests, the Gold Coast’s unparalleled natural landscape plays a significant role in attracting national and international film productions to the city.
All located within 45 minutes of the Gold Coast’s renowned Village Roadshow Studios, the variety, diversity and accessibility of locations has seen the beachside city build an ever-expanding list of big-name movies made in the region.
Most recently, Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean:Deadmen Tell No Tales and Warner Bros.’ San Andreas all utilised the Gold Coast’s enviable natural locations, further highlighting the benefits of shooting on the Gold Coast.
While the city continues to show off its amazing locations on the big screen, there is more to come, with a large majority of assessable locations still undiscovered by the film industry.
Productions filmed in the city of the Gold Coast include:
• Kong: Skull Island (Feature) • Jungle (Feature) • The Butterfly Tree (Feature) • Nest (Feature) • Mako: Island of Secrets (Series) • Wanted (Series) • Unbroken (Feature) • Terra Nova (Series) • The Lovers (Feature) • My Mistress (Feature) • The Shallows (Feature) • Mental (Feature) • Mabo (Telemovie) • George of the Jungle 2 (Telefeature) • Rip Girls (Telefeature) • Kokoda (Feature) • Daybreakers (Feature) • The Great Raid (Feature) • The Condemned (Feature) |
• H20: Just Add Water (Series) • Aquamarine (Feature) • The Starter Wife (Series) • Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Feature) • Fools Gold (Feature) • Sea Patrol (Series) • Gettin’ Square (Feature) • Ghost Ship (Feature) • Triangle (Feature) • House of Wax (Feature) • The Ruins (Feature) • The Marine (Feature) • The Sleepover Club (Series) • Mermaids (Telemovie) • The Wilde Girls (Telemovie) • Muriel’s Wedding (Feature) • Flammable Children (Feature) |
Top Gold Coast film locations:
Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain is a beautiful lush green plateau in the Gold Coast Hinterland. At every turn one will encounter breathtaking scenery and views; Mother Nature in all its glory. Sitting on 28 square kilometres, just 40 minutes from Village Roadshow Studios, Tamborine Mountain truly is the green behind the gold.
Surfers Paradise up to Main Beach
Boasting pristine beaches, clear waterways and lush green spaces, Surfers Paradise up to Main Beach encompasses everything the Gold Coast is famous for. Home to The Spit – one of the city’s most popular natural playgrounds, as well as Marina Mirage, the suburb sits 20 minutes from Village Roadshow Studios and offers a myriad of filming locations.
South Stradbroke Island across to Jacobs Well
The Jumpinpin channel lies between North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island and is a 40-minute commute from the Village Roadshow Studios. The location features breathtaking scenery of deserted islands, sand dunes and the surrounding waterways. Nestled on the edge of the beautiful Pimpama River, Jacobs Well features pristine waterways and various unoccupied islands. Sitting 20 minutes from Village Roadshow Studios, the area is popular among film crews for its marina and trawler facilities, as well as its vast cane fields.
Bonogin and Stapylton Quarry backlots
Located just 20 minutes north from the Village Roadshow Studios, Stapylton Quarry is becoming increasingly popular with film production companies looking for exposed and accessible space. This location has been used extensively for green screen shoots as well as scenes with explosions. Just 20 minutes south nestled behind the hills of Mudgeeraba is Bonogin, where you will find a 750 acre privately owned property. This family home has sloping fields, cedar trees, creeks, hills and patches of tropical vegetation with plenty of space to build. The property’s rich tapestry has been used to create many different “worlds”.
Burleigh Heads to Tallebudgera
Burleigh Heads is home to one of the city’s most popular surfing destinations, boasting unparalleled waves, clear ocean water and pristine beaches. Sitting 30 minutes from Village Roadshow Studios, this location is home to a bustling retail and dining precinct, parklands that feature towering pine trees and the popular Burleigh Hill, which offers unspoilt views of the city and ocean.