Top 10 Films about Australia

A selection of cinematic treasures from Down Under

1. Australia



Directed by Baz Luhrmann, the historical-romantic drama starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman was originally filmed in Sydney, Darwin and Kununurra (where allegedly Nicole Kidman fainted on a horse as temperature reached 42°C).

Set in war-time Australia (1939-42), Baz Luhrmann tells the story of Lady Sara Ashley (Kidman), an English aristocrat who inherited a typical Australian cattle station after her husband's death, and a handsome drover (Jackman) who helps her run her property. Universally admired for its visual cinematography and gorgeous landscapes, Baz Luhrmann's epic is one of the most ambitious films ever made about Australia.

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2. Crocodile Dundee



Who doesn't know Mick Dundee and Walkabut Creek raise their hands! Filmed with a small budget specifically for American audiences, the 1986 comedy drama surpassed expectations and became a worldwide box office hit. Partly set in the Australian Outback, it depicts the roguish charm of an Australian bushman and his jostles with saltwater crocodiles, kangaroo shooters, billabongs and dirty old man pubs.

Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, instead, is partially set in Australia too, especially in Melbourne and Queensland.

If you want to visit and see the places where the movie was shot, here's a list of hostels in Melbourne where you can stay.

3. Rabbit-Proof Fence



Based on Doris Pilkington Garimara's true story Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence, the 2002 Australian drama film is about two mixed-race Aboriginal girls, escaping from an Australian 're-education' camp. At the camp they were forced to abandon their culture and traditions to be brought up as white Australians.

After their initial escape, the girls walk for more than two months along the 2400km rabbit-proof fence to return to their community, all the while they are pursued by the white authorities and an Aboriginal tracker.

Offering audiences a fascinating and harrowing insight into Australia's 'Stolen Generation', Rabbit Proof Fence is now recognised as being one of the most important contemporary Australian dramas in recent years.

4. Finding Nemo



Following the insecure clownfish's journey along the Great Barrier Reef towards Sydney Harbour in his attempt to bring his captured son home, viewers can only marvel at Pixar's gorgeous underwater scenes and Sydney's Harbour Bridge and Opera House. You may be disappointed to hear that Nemo won't be found at P. Sherman's address in 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney: the location is fictional!

5. The Rescuers Downunder

Set in the Australian Outback, the early 90's animated drama involves Bernard and Bianca travelling to Australia to save a boy named Cody with the help of Jake, a mouse kangaroo. Beyond the Aussie accents and kangaroo dominated fauna, film fans will recognise the iconic shots of Wilbur, the albatross carrying the mice above the Sydney Opera House.

6. Wolf Creek

Set in Australia in 1999, Wolf Creek is about two British backpackers and an Australian friend going on a road journey from Broome to Cairns via the Great Northern Highway. After exploring its famous meteorite crater, the group realise their car is broken, when an unsuspecting man arrives and offers to tow them to his place. What happens next is truly terrifying and it's relief the film is not entirely based on a true story.

Although Wolf Creek was filmed almost entirely in South Australia, its real location, called "Wolfe Creek" in North West Australia, is home to the second largest meteorite crater in the world.

If you do visit, then just make sure your car doesn't break down!

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7. Mental

Capturing suburban boredom with a light hearted touch, Mental depicts everyday Australian life in the suburbs. Shirley, mother of five daughters and married to the often absent local politician Barry, lives into the fantasy world of her favourite musical. As she orders a huge amount of furniture, telling neighbours her husband won it on a TV game show, she's sent to the 'loony bin' (although her daughters tell people she's on holiday).

The girls find themselves being taken care of by a crazy hothead Shaz (Toni Collette) who encourages them to stand up to local bullies with her dog Ripper and the knife she keeps in her cowboy boot.

8. The Black Balloon

The Black Balloon is a tender film about an Australian family looking after a child with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Critically well-received by broadsheet critics, it's considered a 'must-see' Australian drama after winning numerous awards at international film festivals.

9. Red Dog

Red Dog tells the true journey of a dog looking for his long-lost master, who befriends a community of miners on his journey across the North West Pilbara from Perth to Darwin. The Red Dog's statue can now be seen in Dampier like Balto's statue in Central Park. In this moving tale of love, loyalty and companionship, the Red Dog symbolises Australia's relationship with the land and the ash brightness of the Australian Outback.

If this is movie has inspired you for a new trip, why not having a look at our cheap hostels in Perth and Darwin before buying a ticket to fly there?

10. The Goddess of 1967

The 2000 Australian film is about an affluent Japanese man who travels to Australia to buy a Citroën DS, pronounced "Déesse" in French, which means Goddess. Setting off for a five day trip with a 17-year-old girl through the Australian Outback, their journey takes them on an unforgettable journey through a series of austere and unforgiving landscapes.