The stage is set for Western Australia’s Kimberley region to be showcased as a key international tourism destination, when Baz Luhrmann’s film epic ‘Australia’ is released this November.
Culture and Arts and Tourism Minister Sheila McHale visited the set to experience the enormous scope of the film being shot at Carlton Hill, 100km west of Kununurra.
Ms McHale met filmmaking legend Baz Luhrmann to discuss possibilities for ongoing tourism benefits for WA when ‘Australia’ was released internationally.
“This is a significant cultural tourism initiative and we are very excited that Baz Luhrmann agreed to film part of his feature in WA,” she said.
“’Australia’ is one of the most anticipated movies in our recent cinema history and when it is released, the eyes of the world will be on us as a top tourism destination."
“The benefits to the region are enormous, apart from the excitement that comes with having Hollywood stars here, there are huge financial benefits to local business generated by a 400-strong cast and crew in town for several weeks,” she said.
Ms McHale said the release of ‘Australia’ provided enormous potential to trigger other international film productions to shoot in Western Australia, which was great news for the local screen industry.
Check out an exclusive video of the Ministers set visit at westernaustralia.tv
Australia the movie will be released 26 November 2008.