33 profile west Aus copy 17/10/08 12:35 Page 33
australia
Profile Western Australia
The rich colours and rugged landscape of north-west Western Australia inspired Baz
Luhrmann to make Australia. Fall in love with the Kimberley, the third star of the movie
which provides the ultimate backdrop for many scenes of the film
Top 5: Must Dos
■ Be like the movie stars:
The team from Australia
took scenic flights over
the Bungle Bungle Range
■ Go for a cruise:
Check out the Ord River
to Lake Argyle, home to amazing
bird and animal life
■ Beach babes: With 22kms of
sun-kissed white sand and turquoise
water, Broome’s Cable
Beach is the ideal place to
watch the sun drop into
El Questro Homestead
the Indian Ocean
■ Adventure seekers:
The legendary 670km
WHAT TO DO.
world’s last true wilderness areas and blessed Gibb River Road provides
Western Australia is famous for its long days of with a year-round balmy climate. The town the ultimate 4WD adventure
sunshine, spotless blue skies, brilliant beaches provides a great base for World Heritage-listed ■ Coast to coast: The Coral Coast is
and vast panorama. This is the country’s largest Purnululu National Park and the Bungle home to the unique rock formations of
state and it’s worth remembering that some Bungle Range. These strange beehive-like the Pinnacles and stretches north to
cattle stations here are the size of England. mounds rise over 300m, forming a hidden Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef, one of the
The state played a big role in Australia, world of gorges and rock pools. The best time largest fringing reefs in the world
featuring many of the filming locations with its to visit is May to October and the area is served
wide open spaces and untouched beauty. by Qantas, Skywest, Airnorth and Virgin Blue.
It is a land blessed with spectacular diversity For a cattle station adventure, pack the swag, We Aussie Specialists
where the deep reds of ancient interior rock slap on the Akubra hat and head out across the The WA Aussie Specialist module is
formations contrast with the sparkling blue of outback. For a real cattle muster experience,
being refreshed for 2009. Launching
the Indian and Southern Oceans and the lush suggest Home Valley Station just off the Gibb
later this year, it will offer case studies
greenery of the stunning southern regions. River Road near Kununurra. Or for ultimate
on WA product as well as great tips.
There’ll also be exciting opportunities
Where to start in this vast landscape? luxury, it has to be the El Questro Homestead ,
for WA Aussie Specialists to experience
Whether taking a sunset camel ride on Cable which lies on its own Wilderness Park span-
WA on our “Real Australia” fam early
Beach or swimming with whale sharks at ning more than a million acres.
next year. You must complete the new
Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia provides
module in order to be eligible.
diverse holiday experiences. Capital Perth will
DID YOU KNOW . www.specialist.australia.com
no doubt be on the itinerary with its easy-going ■ When it comes to Australia some of the
lifestyle, beautiful Swan River and city parks Kimberley film locations include the Bungle Get in touch
such as Kings Park adding to the relaxed feel. Bungle Range, the Cockburn ranges, King Contact Tourism Western Australia:
George Falls near Faraway Bay and the stations
Call us on: 020 7438 4658, Write to us
NEXT LEVEL.
of El Questro Wilderness Park, Home Valley,
at: london@westernaustralia.com
A key town for filming Australia was Carlton Hill and Diggers Rest.
Or visit: www.westernaustralia.com/
australiathemovie
Kununurra, which means “big water” in the ■ Nicole Kidman visited Kimberley Fine
local Aboriginal language, where the cast and Diamonds in Kununurra to buy presents for
crew visited and stayed. A three-hour flight her friends and family.
north of Perth, Kununurra is the gateway to ■ Hugh Jackman and his family stayed at
Western Australia's East Kimberley, one of the Emma Gorge Resort after filming finished.
Published in association with Tourism Australia
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