Queensland has a long and storied cinematic history. There are many great Australian films to choose from, but there are also some really great films that hail from this beautiful state. If you’re looking for a place to spend a few hours doing something totally different, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got a list of the top 10 must-see Queensland movies. Whether you’re a long-time film buff, a movie-lover, or someone who enjoys a good movie night with friends and family, these are the films you simply can’t miss.
Australia’s first film
Queensland has a long history in the world of cinema, but it was in 1892 that the first film was shot in the state. It was called The Story of the Kelly Gang, and it was made by a Queenslander who was a part-time special effects man. The film was shot in the old township of Dalby in the Darling Downs, and it featured a group of locals who were the outlaws, or ‘gangs’, in the film.
The making of the Silverchair film
Growing up in Queensland, I was really lucky and got to see my first ever concert in a cinema. It was in 2010, and it was Silverchair performing in Brisbane. This was only a few years after the band had reunited, and their concert was one of the most intense experiences of my life. The concert was filmed for a documentary, and the next year, it became a movie. It was called We Are the World, and it told the story of how the 2007 We Are the World single was written and recorded. The movie also looked at how the song came to be written, and it followed the story of the making of the song and ultimately, the band itself.
The making of The Water Diviner
The water diviner is a type of Australian folk tale that involves a man who goes to the desert to work on a water project. When he returns home, his wife doesn’t recognize him, and she thinks he’s an impostor. The man sets off to find the real husband, and along the way, he meets a character called the Water Diviner. The Water Diviner can tell you where water is, and he helps the man find his real self. This film, starring Sam Neill and Olivia Wilde, is about the making of the movie, and it’s worth watching for the love story between Neill and Wilde.
Warner Bros. Queensland Studio Tour
There are many beautiful studios around Queensland, but one of the most iconic ones is the one in Brisbane. The studio tour behind the Gold Coast’s Warner Bros. Movie World is just as beautiful, and it gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made. The tour runs year-round, and it reveals how movies are created and the magic of the film and television industry. A must-see for all film buffs and anybody who loves a behind-the-scenes look at a unique industry.
The Bare Knuckle Revue in Cairns
As well as the movies, other great things to do in Cairns are the Cairns St Patrick’s Day Festival in March and the Bare Knuckle Boxing Festival in June. This is a really unique event that combines theater and boxing, and it showcases some of the best actors, directors, writers, and producers from around the world. If you’re not too sure about going to a boxing match, then you can also watch the fights at the Cairns Convention Centre.
The making of Babe – Pig’s First Movie
The story of Babe is one of the most inspirational and engaging films you could ever see. It’s an Australian movie about a pig named Babe. The pig is shipped from Australia to the US, and it becomes a world famous pig. The movie follows the journey of Babe, as well as the experiences of the people he meets along the way. It’s a crazy story, and it’s definitely worth a watch.
Immigration – The Making of the Palm Beach Story
This is a great Australian film, and it has a lot to say about how we treat people in this country. It follows a group of people who are trying to get into Australia, and they encounter many different types of people along the way. The film uses the idea of a ‘gong show’ to highlight how people are treated in Australia, and it’s really interesting to see how the characters are judged as they go through the process of trying to become Australian. A great film for those who want to understand Aussie culture and people a little better.
The making of The More the Merrier
This is a really funny film that follows a couple who are returning from a romantic holiday in Sydney. They take a flight back home, but their plane crashes somewhere in the outback. The pilot has left the plane, and it’s up to the two passengers to find their way out of the remote desert. The rest of the film is based on their attempts to survive in the desert, and it’s hilarious to watch.
Australia’s first travel guide film
The More the Merrier was the first travel guide film made in Australia. It starred Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr, and it tells the story of a couple who arrive in Sydney on vacation. The couple is exploring the city, and they decide to stay at a hotel. The problems they face are all based on real-life experiences, but it’s meant to be a comedy. The couple starts to realize that maybe Sydney isn’t everything they hoped for, and they must make a choice about whether to leave or stay. A really interesting and engaging film.
