Gold Coast blockbuster film location tours to offer fans a look behind the scenes
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Movie fans will get the chance to see locations blockbuster films were made on the Gold Coast with a new tourism venture.
The Gold Coast's sunny coastline and unique buildings have long been a major drawcard for international movie-makers.
Gold Coast blockbuster locations
- The Spit: Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Pacific Rim, Narnie: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- Cooombabah Lakeland Track: Kong: Skull Island
- Bond University: San Andreas, Scooby Doo
Now enthusiasts will be able get up close with the local spots which have featured on the big screen.
The Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) is hosting the city's first tour of movie locations.
They will include the locations of Australian classic, Muriel's Wedding and Hollywood blockbusters Pirates of the Caribbean, Kong: Skull Island and San Andreas.
GCFF director Lucy Fisher said the city's film industry could become an extra draw card for tourists.
"Film tourism is a massive industry worldwide. Think of places like LA, New York, London," Ms Fisher said.
"But even looking at rural locations in New Zealand, Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit had a massive impact on the NZ tourism industry," she said.
She said some of the sites were instantly recognisable while others might surprise movie fans.
"With a film like San Andreas, shot extensively at Bond University, the architecture of the building there is really recognisable," she said.
"But San Andreas was also shot at the Pines Shopping Centre where they crashed a helicopter into the side of a building."
Screen Queensland chief executive Tracey Vieira said the Gold Coast had an incredible reputation as a place to make movies.
She said the tour would also create opportunities for local filmmakers.
"This is really going to give back to the community, and to tourists to the Gold Coast, a real chance to be actually touch and feel some of those movies that have been shot here," she said.
Ms Vieria said the industry had flow-on effects to local economy in a range of unexpected ways.
She said things like cranes and toilet hire and using make-up from local make-up shops and renting plants from local landscapers all contributed to the Gold Coast economy.
It is hoped the tour can grow in the future as more productions are filmed in the city.
Topics: film-movies, film, tourism, carnivals-and-festivals, southport-4215
