Reality Check: A Guide to the Filming Locations for Ticket to Paradise

Ticket to Paradise filmed on Queensland's Whitsundays.
Credit: Universal Studios

Academy Award® winners George Clooney (David) and Julia Roberts (Georgia) reunite on the big screen for Ticket To Paradise as exes who find themselves on a shared mission to stop their lovestruck daughter from making the same mistake they once made. Cue epic backdrops filled with Balinese beach bars, romantic waterfalls and forest bathing in Ubud, downtown street bazaars, plus endless blue ocean vistas peppered with luxe resorts.

That’s the hype reel. The real hype, and the biggest surprise for movie fans, is that Ticket To Paradise was filmed on location in Queensland, Australia. The movie is peppered with Whitsunday island panoramas, lush hinterland rainforest near the Gold Coast, and secret beaches off Brisbane. Here are some our favourite scenes straight from the movie reel, with the real locations to help you design your own Ticket To Paradise.

Reel life: Pre-wedding icebreaker in Bali
Real Life: Destination wedding at Hamilton Island

In the midst of planning a wedding (or elopement) of your own? Say hello to one of the most popular residents of the Whitsundays region, Hamilton Island Resort. The island played backdrop to a number of scenes in the movie, including the famous pre-wedding party around the Bougainvillea Pool and an impromptu soccer match on Catseye Beach. With natural wonder as abundant as its accommodation offerings, plus its own picture-perfect chapel, this tropical haven continues to tempt leisure and wedding travellers in their droves. But, there is more than one island in the Whitsundays. There’s 74 of them, and a raft of accommodation to suit budgets great and small.

Reel life: Arriving at Bali by boat
Real life: Escaping to Katie’s Cove, Haslewood Island in the Whitsundays

Katie’s Cove may be a secret spot on the northern tip of Haslewood Island in Queensland’s Whitsundays, but this arc of brilliant white sand is no stranger to Hollywood with the likes of Pirates of the Caribbean 5 also using it as a quintessential beach backdrop. Located opposite its more famous big sister, Whitehaven Beach, (incidentally named TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Best Beach in the World 2021), Katie’s Cove was the backdrop for a classic scene in Ticket To Paradise where David and Georgia reunite with their daughter Lily in Bali. Create your own Hollywood style experience in the Whitsunday Islands – and charter a yacht or take an Ocean Rafting day drip from nearby Airlie Beach to experience this little piece of paradise.

Reel life: Jungle trekking in Ubud
Real life: Hiking to Curtis Falls, Mount Tamborine National Park

Sure, Ubud has its mysterious green panoramas that are hard to beat, but in Queensland, there’s plenty of equal alternatives. Take a scenic drive along the heavily forested winding roads from the sky-high towers of the Gold Coast to the crest of Tamborine Mountain. Here you can find vineyards, walk along cooling trails, hang glide off the side of the hill, or mosey through the pretty art and curio shops on Gallery Walk. In Ticket to Paradise, Georgia and David are whisked off to the edge of the Indonesian jungle for their daughter’s impending wedding celebrations. The scene was filmed on a private property just off the Gallery Walk Tourist precinct not far from the stunning Curtis Falls. Keen to know more? Pack an overnight bag and make a weekend of it; hit up our 48-hour guide to Tamborine Mountain.

Reel life: Working at an Art Gallery in Los Angeles
Real life: Cruising through the HOTA Gallery at Bundall, Gold Coast

Using a little artistic license, the Los Angeles Art Gallery scene with Georgia was captured at HOTA, Home of the Arts at Queensland’s Gold Coast. Opened only in 2021, HOTA is noted for live performances, lake-side strolls, stargazing, cinema-watching, art and new-ideas. Keep your eyes peeled for special concerts when the jumbo outdoor stage hosts live events for up to 5000 people, or just head there any day to relax and connect with the world from the fifth level bar. Discover art—indoors and out. HOTA is that kind of place—where art meets life.

Reel life: Swimming with wild dolphins
Real life: Hand-feeding dolphins at Tangalooma Island Resort, Moreton Island

Ticket to Paradise filmed on Queensland's Whitsundays.
Credit: Universal Studios

It’s one of the most memorable scenes from the movie, but if you really want a one-of-a kind experience with dolphins in the wild, then Tangalooma Island Resort off the coast of Brisbane is the place to head. Since 1992, Tangalooma has notched up global acclaim for its nightly dolphin feeding when some 10 wild bottlenose dolphins pop up near the jetty in front of the resort at sunset. Guests who sign up for the experience can wade into the water to hand-feed the dolphins, while a dedicated team of Eco Rangers educate guests and ensure the best-practice management for the feeding. (Incidentally, Tangalooma Island Resort played backdrop to some of the most glorious wedding sunsets featured in the movie while ALL the in-water scenes were filmed just south of the Resort at Lucinda Bay on the stunning western beaches of Moreton Island).

REEL: Graduating from an unknown USA university.
REAL: Brushing up on history at Brisbane City Hall.

Once the highest landmark in the city when it was built in the 1920s, Brisbane City Hall continues to be the hub of Queensland’s capital, despite being dwarfed by the modern skyscrapers around it. Spend some time at the Museum of Brisbane or take a daily guided tour through the Main Auditorium (where Lily’s graduation scene was filmed) and the iconic Clock Tower to fully appreciate the history of this icon. As you tour the building, note the sweeping marble staircases and vaulted ceilings. The Museum of Brisbane is a treasure of history and currently features an exhibition of luxury jewellery designer, Margo McKinney – World of Wonder.

REEL: Staying with your ex at a Bali resort surrounded by breathtaking island vistas.
REAL: Chilling at qualia, possibly the most luxurious resort in the whole of Australia.

Offering 60 individual pavilions, qualia’s secluded yet central location on Hamilton Island means guests can relax in the privacy of their own villa on a breathtaking promontory overlooking the Whitsunday Passage. Since its inception in 2007, qualia has won dozens of accolades for consistently setting the benchmark in understated elegance and exceeding guest expectations.

A handful of scenes in Ticket to Paradise were filmed at qualia including the Long Pavilion which is featured in a scene where David is lamenting life, Spa qualia and the resort’s own Beach House. This exclusive hideaway offers jaw dropping views of the Whitsundays Passage and features an oversized bedroom that leads into a 10-person dining room and a 12-metre private plunge pool (pictured). Coincidentally, the two main stars of the movie stayed in private holiday homes just footsteps from qualia during the filming process. One of these was the grand waterfront Aquila.

REEL: David working at an unknown construction site in the USA.
REAL: Construction of the A$3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf precinct in Brisbane.

Queen’s Wharf is set to become a first-class integrated hotel and entertainment precinct when it opens in 2023. This new landmark, which lords over one kilometre of prime Brisbane riverfront real estate, will be home to three new hotels (Dorsett, Rosewood and The Star hotels), a blue-ribbon casino, two residential towers and a sky-deck that sits 100 metres above street level. The Queen’s Wharf precinct will retain nine heritage buildings, dozens of retail outlets and its very own footbridge direct to Brisbane’s booming cultural precinct across the river. You can see the construction during one of the scenes in the movie.

REEL: Standing on the cliffs of “Bali” watching a boat float away.
REAL: Playing a round of golf on Dent Island near Hamilton Island.

Hamilton Island Golf Course located on Dent Island.
 Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

According to at least one avid golfer on Dent Island, the floating boat scene is thought to have been filmed near the 16th hole of the Hamilton Island Golf Club at Dent Island. Designed by five times British Open Champion, Peter Thomson, this 18-hole championship golf course is touted as Australia’s answer to Pebble Beach. It offers 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Passage and ruggedly beautiful fairways. The spectacular escarpments and endless views create a captivating backdrop the scene. Meanwhile, the Club House was reputedly a popular lunch venue for the lead star.

REEL: David and Georgia sitting on a log looking out over the ocean
REAL: Romance at Hamilton Island’s One Tree Hill

One Tree Hill is a known hot spot for travellers hoping to ‘gram’ the perfect holiday backdrop. Located on a summit with sweeping views over the island resort and the neighbouring islands, One Tree Hill can be easily assessed by zippy little rental buggies plus regular bus departures. Best time to head? Sunset, when the sky is saturated in hues of pink and orange. The backdrop may have sparked a little on-screen romance in Ticket to Paradise.

OTHER REEL VS REAL:

REEL: Haggling in the markets of Bali
REAL: Weekend shopping at Pall Mall Carrara Market on the Gold CoastThe allure of a street market, colourful local characters and a bargain is hard to resist. We all love a good haggle in Bali, as Georgia learned to do during her visit, but the Gold Coast also has a vibrant bodega culture, not least of all the Carrara Markets where some of the scenes from Ticket to Paradise were shot. Open every Saturday and Sunday, Carrara offers more than 400 outlets ranging from fashion to jewellery, and toys to souvenirs, homewares, artworks and phone accessories. Stalled for more market fun on the Gold Coast? Check out the very cruisy The Village Markets at Burleigh for designer threads, the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets for food and fun every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night, and Miami Marketta for live music and global food flavours every weekend.

REEL: Riding a moped through lush cane fields
REAL: Driving around Norwell on the northern end of the Gold Coast.

Most Aussie travellers will know that Bali is synonymous with rice fields rather than cane fields. But the lush cane fields around Norwell just north of the Gold Coast is where this pretty backdrop was filmed. Interestingly if you are curious about Tuk Tuk rides in Queensland, then make sure you experience Just Tuk’n Around at Airlie Beach. The two-wheel business has been tooting their way around the resort town for some years now with 90-minute informative sight seeing tours and progressive dinners.

REEL: Farewell scene at airport as Wren and Lily leave for their post-graduation adventure in Bali.
REAL: Take a hard look and you will notice the family cruising through Brisbane International Airport, making their way up ramps and through the departure halls near immigration.

REEL: Georgia and David arrive at a Balinese Airport to greet their daughter.
REAL: Hamilton Island Airport was the scene for the parents’ arrival at Bali.

Don’t miss George Clooney and Julia Roberts star in the ultimate feel-good movie of the year. Ticket to Paradise, showing now and only in cinemas. For more inspiration to book an air ticket and plan a getaway to Queensland, check out the trailer below and discover Queensland’s laidback, natural beauty for yourself.

Academy Award® winners George Clooney and Julia Roberts, Ticket to Paradise was filmed on location in Queensland, Australia aided by incentives from the Australian federal government and from Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy.


Watch the trailer HERE.

About Ticket To Paradise

Academy Award® winners George Clooney and Julia Roberts reunite on the big screen as exes who find themselves on a shared mission to stop their lovestruck daughter from making the same mistake they once made. From Working Title, Smokehouse Pictures and Red Om Films, Ticket to Paradise is a romantic comedy about the sweet surprise of second chances. Directed by Ol Parker (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, writer of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films) from his script with Daniel Pipski, Ticket to Paradise is produced by Tim Bevan (Darkest Hour, The Danish Girl) and Eric Fellner (The Theory of Everything, Les Misérables) for Working Title, by Sarah Harvey (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, co-producer In Bruges), by Deborah Balderstone (Palm Beach, Gone), by George Clooney and Oscar® winner Grant Heslov (Argo, The Midnight Sky) for Smokehouse Pictures and by Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan and Marisa Yeres Gill (both co-executive producers, the Homecoming series) for Red Om Films.