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Blockbuster Queensland – Guide to ‘Ticket to Paradise’ movie locations

Hollywood romance Eat, Pray Love, which starred Julia Roberts, inspired tourists to visit Bali more than a decade ago. Just as The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies have done in New Zealand, the Harry Potter movies have done in the United Kingdom and the Game of Thrones has done in Northern Ireland. But with Bali closed to filming during the pandemic, British director Ol Parker (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) largely shot Ticket to Paradise in Queensland while Australia was one of the world’s most COVID-safe locations … and, handily, offered handsome tax breaks.

Speaking about the movie and the Indian market strategy, Ryna Sequeria, Country Manager – Marketing, Tourism and Events Queensland said, “From stunning island resorts to beach retreats and rainforests, the movie Ticket to Paradise showcases stunning Queensland locations that are sure to inspire Indian travellers. From Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays – one of the movie’s main locations – a noted getaway in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Qualia was the backdrop for the film’s Balinese hotel scenes.”

She further added, “Away from the movie set, qualia is one of the most in-demand resorts in Australia and a deeply exclusive retreat favoured by the world’s A-listers and Indian luxury honeymooners. Nearby Palm Bay Resort at Long Island in the Whitsundays is a great place to escape the crowds and sip sundowners by the pool. Just off the coast of Brisbane at Moreton Island, curious travellers can hand-feed dolphins and float in crystal clear waters just as David and Georgia did in the movie. After a dose of ocean blue, the green behind the gold at Mount Tamborine on the Gold Coast where one can meander through lush green rainforest trails and fine misty waterfalls formed the backdrop for Gede’s home in Bali.”

The newly released Hollywood movie – ‘ Ticket to Paradise’ featuring George Clooney and Julia Roberts’ was filmed in Queensland with hotspots such as the Whitsundays, Gold Coast and Brisbane starring on the big screen as stand-ins for the fictional movie setting of Bali. Here’s a quick guide to discovering the film locations in Queensland and design an itinerary like a movie set.

Queensland in Ticket to Paradise MovieHamilton Island was one of the locations that played backdrop in several scenes, including “Bali” airport aka Hamilton Island Airport, One Tree Hill and Hamilton Island Resort.

Queensland in Ticket to Paradise Movie1

The arrival by boat, which features in the movie trailer, was actually Katie’s Cove on Haslewood Island in the Whitsundays. Dent Island also features in the floating boat scene and some may recognise the luxe environs of qualia in a scenes, one of Australia’s most luxurious resorts.

For the jungle-trekking scene set in Ubud, Bali, the real-life location was the lush rainforest just outside of Brisbane and the Gold Coast is known as Tamborine Mountain. Home to the third oldest national park in the world, teeming with waterfalls, walking trails and a quaint village, Tamborine is the place to escape when you want a little time out among nature’s finest.

The LA art gallery scene was set in another GC location – HOTA, Home of the Arts, while the Bali market haggling site was actually the Gold Coast’s Pall Mall Carrara Market.

Brisbane also makes some cameo appearances in Hollywood rom-com. Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) left its print on Ticket to Paradise with film locations at Tangalooma Island Resort and the sparking waters of nearby Lucinda Bay. The world’s third-largest sand island is home to just one resort, a glamping area and a whole lot of wild camping adventures. Found just 75-minutes by ferry ride from Brisbane City, you can experience it for yourself in a day, a weekend or whole week of soul-stirring disconnection.

Queensland in Ticket to Paradise Movie1

With much of the film’s resort moments taking place on Hamilton Island, a visit to this crown jewel of The Whitsundays – undoubtedly the most popular of its 74 islands – is your chance to get among movie magic. The film’s Hotel Garden Path? That’s the dreamy Bougainvillea Pool, and well worth sinking into on a Whitsundays escape.

Queensland in Ticket to Paradise Movie

Check into Palm Bay Resort on Long Island and you’ll immediately understand why it played a starring role in Ticket to Paradise. Balinese-inspired villas tucked into the rainforest with beckoning Coral Sea views – it’s a slice of total tranquillity. It might fly a little more under the radar compared to Hamilton Island, but it’s easy to reach. Stretching for 9km, Long Island is the nearest island to The Whitsundays’ mainland, surrounded by World Heritage Great Barrier Reef beauty.

Just outside of Brisbane City, Mount Cotton’s Rainforest Garden is an idyllic destination for weddings and accommodation, setting the scene for the family temple during filming. Sprawling over 27 acres, it’s home to stunning curated gardens, event spaces and luxury chalets – complete with romantic fireplaces – among a hoop pine forest.

Content Courtesy: Queensland.com / karryon.com.au

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