8 SA destinations captured on film

By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Thursday, October 11, 2018
Updated: February 21, 2020 at 11:59 am

SA’s wild coastline, rolling hills and wide open plains have kept the state on the radars of location scouts for years.

It’s been the setting for epic war stories, touching dramas and biographies alike. Here, we’ve come up with 8 iconic locations you can visit.

1. Coorong (Storm Boy)

The picturesque Coorong, where the river meets the sea, is the perfect location for tourists to visit and film makers to create movies.

Based on the children’s book by Colin Thiele, Storm Boy is about a lonely child who raises three orphaned pelicans. Following the success of the original film, a reboot of Storm Boy, starring Geoffrey Rush, is set to be released on 17 January 2019.

Check out the summer edition of samotor for your chance to win tickets to the new movie.

Look out for your own Mr Percival while visiting the Coorong where Storm Boy was filmed.

2. Fleurieu Peninsula (The Boys are Back)

The Boys Are Back, starring Clive Owen, was filmed at a variety of locations around South Australia, including McLaren Vale, Myponga and Aldinga.

The movie follows the tale of a man who must suddenly raise his two sons following the passing of his wife.

You can even stay at the house in Myponga where a large portion of the movie was filmed. The property, now called Brooklyn Farm, was transformed into a stunning weekend retreat and wedding venue following filming.

The 2009 film the Boys are Back was filmed at Myponga.

3. Eyre Peninsula (Gallipoli)

A number of locations – including Coffin Bay, the Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Quorn – featured in this 1980s classic, starring a young Mel Gibson.

The coastline near Port Lincoln was transformed into the Gallipoli Peninsula for the film, while the Adelaide Railway Station doubled as Perth’s railway station.

The film Gallipoli was filmed at various locations around South Australia, including on the Eyre Peninsula.

4. Clare Valley (Picnic at Hanging Rock)

Despite Picnic at Hanging Rock being set in Victoria, much of the movie was actually filmed in South Australia. Scenes featuring the Appleyard Girls’ School were set at the Martindale Hall Historical Museum in the Clare Valley, which is open to visitors.

Martindale Hall featured in Picnic at a Hanging Rock.

5. Coober Pedy (The Adventures of Priscilla, the Queen of the Desert)

While The Adventures of Priscilla, The Queen of the Dessert may have painted Coober Pedy in a poor light, the small South Australian mining town is worth visiting.

Built underground in a bid to avoid the heat, the unique town is the opal capital of the world, and there are plenty of opportunities to buy or find your own gems.

You can even stay at the Desert Cave Hotel and experience underground living

Coober Pedy is so popular among movie producers that it has also featured in Mad Max Beyond and Red Planet.

Coober Pedy has starred in a number of films.

6. Adelaide (Shine)

Be a tourist in your own town and take a drive up to Carrick Hill or visit the Elder Conservatorium for a lunchtime or evening concert.

These two historic South Australian locations, along with North Adelaide and the parklands, featured in the biographical drama film based on the life of pianist David Helfgott.

The Elder Conservatorium was the setting for the movie Shine.

7. Riverland (Peaches)

The Riverland’s stonefruit industry made it the ideal place to film parts of the 2004 film Peaches, starring Hugo Weaving, Jacqueline McKenzie and Emma Lung.

Visit the banks of the River Murray at Renmark and Berri where the movie was filmed and hire a houseboat and cruise down the river, or just enjoy some of the fresh fruit the region has to offer.

Peaches was filmed at various locations along the River Murray.

8.Beltana Station, Flinders Ranges (Rabbit Proof Fence)

Located 540km from Adelaide, this historic SA station with its rich outback landscape has drawn a number of movie makers. Beltana Station is also a fully-operational sheep and cattle station that doubles as accommodation for travellers.

Other SA locations, including Nilpena Station, McLaren Vale and the Onkaparinga River National Park also featured in the Rabbit Proof Fence.

The Rabbit Proof Fence was filmed at various locations across South Australia, including in the Flinders Ranges.

Want to create your own movie tour?

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