A star-studded film shot in the Whitsundays and helmed by the likes of George Clooney and Julia Roberts released its trailer last week.
Shouts from locals of “I know where that is!” sang out with the release of Universal Pictures debut trailer for Ticket to Paradise.
Filmed across Queensland last year, the romantic comedy was talk of the town during its November to January film shoot on islands including Hamilton Island.
It’s not the first time the Whitsundays has had a starring role in a Hollywood flick – the 2008 film ‘Fools Gold’, featuring Mathew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, and ‘Australia’, famously shot in Bowen with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, were both Whitsunday cinema darlings.
But it may be the most expensive and with the biggest stars, which put the region in the spotlight during filming and hopefully again on release.
The Ticket to Paradise stars were spotted filming on locations including Haslewood Island, luxury Qualia Resort, and tourist hotspot Catseye Beach, as well as Long Island and Cid Harbour – each of which acted as Bali stand-ins during the shoot.
Clooney and Roberts play opposite each other as a divorced couple teaming up to stop their daughter making the same “mistake” they made 25 years ago.
The film is set for release on September 15, and no one is more excited than Tourism Whitsundays, who had a helping role in location scouting for the film.
“It is fantastic to once again see The Whitsundays shine on the big screen,” CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Rick Hamilton said.
“Having a major Hollywood film with A-list stars such as George Clooney and Julia Roberts will put The Whitsundays in the global spotlight as a destination for future films.”
Mr Hamilton said the movie is “hitting the screens worldwide at the perfect time”.
“[It’s] reminding our overseas visitors of our world-class destination and award-winning experiences,” he said.
“It will also help to remind Aussie’s of the beauty they have on their doorstep; they don’t need to travel abroad – the perfect tropical break is right here!”
Tourism Whitsundays worked closely with Working Title Films and operators over the past two years, finding the perfect locations to help secure this film for The Whitsundays.
“Thank you to everyone in The Whitsundays who was involved in bringing Ticket to Paradise to the screen,” Mr Hamilton said.
Director Ol Parker, Julia Roberts, and George Clooney filming Ticket to Paradise on Hamilton Island
