Queensland on Screen: Movies and TV Series Filmed in the Sunshine State Showing this Summer

Lights, camera, action! It’s time for Queensland’s close-up with a reel of movies, documentaries and TV series filmed across the Sunshine State now screening and streaming. From an action-packed drama to engaging and thought-provoking documentaries, Queensland is proving a popular production backdrop. So, grab your popcorn and settle in for a Queensland binge to get some serious holiday inspo with these films and TV shows on screens this summer.

Beyond the Reef

Presented by award-winning actress, writer, producer and social media influencer, Shuang Hu (@theoneshu), Beyond the Reef explores Queensland's diverse and ancient ecosystems that are the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The first Australian documentary shot in 8k Premium Large Format, Beyond the Reef has an impressive call sheet of Cairns & Great Barrier Reef tourism operators featured throughout the flick.

On her travels Shuang Hu experiences the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Freedom, Sailaway, Green Island, the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, Nautilus Aviation, Reef Magic and Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel. Back on dry land, Oaks Kitchen and Garden and Hot Air Balloon Cairns join the list of location credits along with Solar Whisper Wildlife Cruises, Back Country Bliss Adventures, Walkabout Cultural Adventures, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Kuranda Scenic Railway, FNQ Nature Tours and Barron River Rafting, all showcasing the beauty of the rainforest.

Of her experience filming on the Great Barrier Reef, Shuang Hu said, “I had the most spectacular time filming this documentary and feel incredibly lucky to have experienced the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef up close.”

While Director Luke Wheatley said, “There is something magical about the connection of the oldest living reef, rainforest and the culture all living together in one region.”

Beyond the Reef is now showing in cinemas Australia-wide, watch the trailer here.

Down to Earth with Zac Efron: Down Under

Hollywood heartthrob Zac Efron takes a deep dive ‘Down Under’ in the second season of Emmy-Award winning series, Down to Earth with Zac Efron, unearthing a variety of sustainable initiatives and lifestyle practices. The Sunshine State makes cameo appearances throughout the eight-part season, featuring two episodes dedicated entirely to Queensland destinations - the Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait. Queensland tourism experiences featured throughout the series include Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel, Reef Magic, Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours, Chillagoe-Mungana Caves, Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefworld/Reefsuites and Skypark Cairns.

The High School Musical alumnus also engaged with industry experts from The Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University, Master Reef Guide Samantha Grey and Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef CEO, Andy Ridley, to understand the science and conservation initiatives taking place on the Reef.

During the program, Efron speaks of the incredible memories he has made diving the Great Barrier Reef following a scuba dive experience with Cruise Whitsundays.

“I will relive this moment in my head forever and ever. It’s truly one of the coolest experiences of my life,” Efron said.

“I’ve never seen coral that alive and thriving and just so many different colours.”

Upon visiting the Torres Strait, Efron meets with Masig Island Traditional Owner Fraser Nai and tries his hand at cray fishing before enjoying a beach cook up and dance ceremony with the locals. Down to Earth with Zac Efron: Down Under is now streaming on Netflix in Australia – watch the trailer here.

Irreverent

Flick on Netflix where a covert mission unfolds in Mission Beach in the new TV series, Irreverent. Dropping on the streaming service this weekend (04 December 2022), the drama series follows the story of an American criminal who hides out in a fictional quiet coastal town in Far North Queensland under the alias of the new church reverend after a hefty heist goes terribly wrong. Locals and visitors to Mission Beach will recognise iconic backdrops like Coconut Beach, Wongaling Beach and the Ulysses Track, while eagled eyed viewers spot Gold Coast locations also caught on camera such as Q1 Gold Coast, the Palazzo Versace hotel, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Tamborine Mountain and Kurrawa Beach.

Irreverent Director and Queenslander, Lucy Gaffy, said it was a pleasure to return to her home state for this production and shoot the exquisite natural locations. While, Executive Producer, Creator and Showrunner, Paddy Macrae, said that “from a producer’s perspective, Queensland has it all!”. Catch the trailer here.

Strait to the Plate

Embark on a cultural and culinary journey to the untouched paradise that is the Torres Trait in NITV’s second series of Strait to the Plate – premiering at 8pm, 15 December 2022. The series, which is also simulcast on SBS Food, joins actor, producer and Koedal and Samu man, Aaron Fa'aoso, as he returns to the Torres Strait to explore the cultural and food traditions of the islands.

Speaking ahead of the season two premiere, Fa’Aoso said nothing compares to the beauty of Queensland and the Torres Strait and highlighted the cultural significance of the program in connecting audiences to this special part of the world and the Indigenous community.

“Strait to the Plate 2 is more than a food and lifestyle show, it is a cultural journey whereby food becomes the binding source that allows viewers to access a very little-known part of Queensland and furthermore Australia in the Torres Strait region,” Fa’Aoso said.

Watch the season two trailer for a sneak peek and try not to drool over the beauty of the Torres Strait and the many culinary delights.

Encore! Encore! Encore!

Can’t get enough of spotting gorgeous Queensland backdrops at the cinema and on TV? Be sure to check out Chris Hemsworth on Heron Island in Limitless, now streaming on Disney+ and Upright season two on Foxtel, starring Tim Minchin as his character embarks on an adventure in Tropical North Queensland. Keep an eye out for the release of Land of Bad which recently filmed in Southeast Queensland, starring Russell Crowe and Hemsworth brothers Liam and Luke, the Godzilla Vs. Kong sequel which just wrapped shooting on the Gold Coast and Southeast Queensland, and the TV adaption of Trent Dalton’s bestselling novel, Boy Swallows Universe, currently filming in Brisbane.

Now you’ve seen Queensland through the screen, make yourself the lead character and visit these incredible film locations to experience the cinematic beauty of the Sunshine State for yourself. Jump onto queensland.com and start planning your next blockbuster Queensland getaway today.

To keep up with the latest tourism news from Queensland visit queensland.com.