Have you traveled to Australia?Is Sydney the capital of Australia? No, actually Canberra is the capital. Like most people’s misconception, Sydney is indeed the most iconic city in Australia. From the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, to the open-air cafés in the ancient alleys of The Rocks that preserve the look of the pioneering era, and the street performances scattered throughout the streets, you can see the romantic and laid-back atmosphere that Sydney exudes, making you feel its prosperity and tranquility.
In 1788, the British fleet landed in Sydney Cove, making it the first British colony in Australia. For a time, Sydney residents were even called Sydneysiders. But now, it has grown into a metropolis with a population of about 5 million—the largest in Australia.
Sydney’s greatest charm lies in its blend of old and new. Charming historic alleys coexist with ultra-modern skyscrapers; Western civilization blends with Asian culture, adding an extra layer of interest. Explore Darling Harbour, perfect for enjoying beautiful night views, visit Kings Cross, the largest red-light district in the Southern Hemisphere, or surf at Bondi Beach, where waves from the Pacific crash ashore—this is the birthplace of surfing. Let’s go on an adventure in Sydney together.
?? Animated Films Set in Australia
? Finding Nemo
When Finding Nemo was released in 2003, it became Pixar Animation Studios’ highest-grossing film. The animation is set in Australia, which becomes clear from the Sydney Opera House seen in the final scene. But where is that scene with the blue sea and coral reefs in the first half of the movie?
Although it’s not explicitly stated, it’s likely the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches approximately 2,000 kilometers from north of Brisbane all the way to Cairns. Judging from the scenes of scuba diving, Cairns—which is ideal for marine sports—is probably the most likely filming location.
While diving in Cairns, it’s easy to spot marine life such as clownfish (Nemo’s species), turtles, and jellyfish featured in the movie. However, seeing sharks is almost impossible.
Director Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films such as Future Boy Conan, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle—extremely popular in Taiwan as well—are all works by the Japanese animation master. It’s said that he traveled to Australia in his youth and drew much inspiration for his animations from the trip.
As a result, Australian landscapes often appear in his animations. Let’s follow in his footsteps and take a trip there too.
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?? Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
The desolate desert shown throughout the film is modeled after the scenery of Australia’s inland. The Valley of the Wind, where the protagonist Nausicaä lives, is based on Kata Tjuta, which, along with Uluru, is designated as a national park. In fact, the name “Valley of the Wind” had already been given to Kata Tjuta long before the movie was released.
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??? Castle in the Sky
Paronella Park, a tourist attraction near Cairns, served as the model for Laputa: Castle in the Sky. Though its original appearance was nearly lost due to fires and several floods, the management chose to repair rather than rebuild it, possibly preserving that ancient, timeworn feel that so closely resembles the castle in the animation. Additionally, the trees supporting the castle in the film resemble the twisting, hanging fig trees around Paronella Park.
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?? Porco Rosso
Although this animation is set in Italy after World War I, famous Australian attractions also appear in it. Among the day trips from Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is a highly popular destination, and the Loch Ard Gorge along it bears a striking resemblance to Porco Rosso’s secret base. Most Great Ocean Road tours include stops at the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Arch, so joining a local day trip makes it easy to visit this site.
In addition to the above-mentioned animations, the clock tower in Kiki’s Delivery Service is actually the central post office in Adelaide’s Victoria Square; the Pinnacles in the Perth suburbs also appear in Future Boy Conan. Moreover, the rock where the dog god resides in Princess Mononoke is located in a national park in Victoria.
From this, we can tell that Director Hayao Miyazaki must have traveled all over Australia—he might have even wandered around while on a working holiday there.
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????Film and TV Locations Shot in Australia
Many commercials and TV dramas love filming in Australia, as the country not only boasts stunning natural scenery but also offers a European vibe. For Taiwan, Australia is closer than Europe and has no time difference, making it very convenient. Iconic commercials shot in Sydney include the Honda Odyssey car (Martin Place), Sky Wheel mobile phone (Martin Place), Korean Daewoo Construction PRUGIO (Centennial Park), Baskin Robbins 31 ice cream (Hyde Park), and Korean GM Daewoo’s Tosca and Gentra as well as Hyundai’s Equus 3.3. Including Brisbane and Melbourne, there are at least over 30 commercials filmed in Australia.
Among the TV dramas filmed in Australia, one of the most famous is the Korean drama "Sorry, I Love You," starring So Ji-sub. This drama was shot in Melbourne, and traces of the characters can be found all around the city. The alley next to Federation Square is where So Ji-sub and Im Soo-jung were chased by thugs, with graffiti-covered walls that exude a desolate feel. You can take themed photos with your partner or friends inspired by this movie and create wonderful memories of your trip.
Most Asian TV dramas or commercials choose to film in Australia to capture its European charm, focusing on urban areas. However, Western European countries tend to select majestic natural landscapes as their primary shooting locations in Australia.
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??“The Island” (1973)
Although it’s an old film, the timeless classic “The Island” continues to be beloved by fans. The island featured in the movie, Devil’s Island, is actually located in French Guiana in South America, but most scenes were shot in Australia. Notably, the famous final scene was filmed at Gap Park in Watsons Bay, just about a 40-minute drive from Sydney, and it remains one of tourists’ favorite pilgrimage spots to this day.
How to Get There:Take bus 324, 325, or 380 from Circular Quay; it’s about a 40-minute ride.
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???“Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World” (2004)
The filming location can be easily guessed from the title—it's Uluru, known as the heart of the world. Though Uluru only appears briefly in the film, it plays an indispensable role throughout. This Japanese movie was also quite popular in Taiwan, making Uluru a beloved spot for couples and newlyweds. When photographing Uluru, avoid getting too close—shoot it from a distance to capture its full magnificence, and the best spot is the free viewing platform at Ayers Rock Resort.
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???“Mission: Impossible 2” (2000)
Several scenes in “Mission: Impossible 2” were also filmed in Sydney, especially the virus factory resembling a bunker at the end of the movie, which was shot at Bare Island, a famous scuba diving spot in the Sydney area.
How to Get There:Take bus 394 from Circular Quay (where the Sydney Opera House is located) to La Perouse; it’s about a 50-minute ride.
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? “Mad Max” (1979)
This film is credited with propelling Mel Gibson to Hollywood stardom and is one of Australia’s highest-grossing movies. “Mad Max” was filmed in Coober Pedy, located between Adelaide and Uluru in the heart of Australia’s outback. Coober Pedy is a unique town featuring underground hotels and churches, and it’s also one of the world’s largest opal producers. The dusty opal mines and excavators evoke the desolate look of an alien planet. The 2000 American movie “Pitch Black” was also filmed in Coober Pedy, and a corner of the town still displays props from the film—an abandoned spaceship.
How to Get There:It’s recommended to rent a car or join a 2-day/1-night or 3-day/2-night tour from Adelaide to Uluru.
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Author Introduction
Cheng Tai-guan
Graduated from the Department of Tourism Management at Yuan Ze University, and worked for 8 years at a professional independent travel agency. A freelance writer who has published travel stories through diverse media such as travel blogs and corporate publications. Author of "Enjoy Australia," "Enjoy Hokkaido," and "Family Fun with ENJOY Japan."
Rediko37@gmail.com/readygotour.com
Cheng Yang-hee
Master’s graduate in Tourism Management from Kyonggi University, and also a travel enthusiast. Previously worked in the Planning and Development Division at ACAM TOUR, lecturer at the Korea Institute of Industrial Development (KID), Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI), and the Department of Tourism Management at Suwon Science College, professor at the Department of Tourism Management at Sejong Specialized School. Believes that the process of preparing for a trip is the happiest part, and hopes to help everyone choose the most suitable itinerary from the overwhelming amount of travel information. Author of "This Time, the South Coast!"
Yhee1216@nate.com
Translator / Chen Xiao-jing
Korean translator.
This article is excerpted from the book "Enjoy Australia: Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth", thanks to Rye Field Publishing Group and San Mountain Publishing for their provision.