Let Qantas Holidays take you on location

Taking inspiration from three new movies filmed in Australia for release this year, Qantas Holidays has highlighted a series of tours and put together a selection of suggested itineraries for ‘set-jetters’ who want to visit the Australian locations showcased in the films Australia, Fool’s Gold and Rogue, as well as revisiting some old favourites.

“AUSTRALIA” (due for release Nov 2008)
Directed by Baz (Moulin Rouge) Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackmen, “Australia” is set in pre World War Two Australia and tells the story of an English aristocrat who travels to Australia to be with her husband and ends up inheriting a large cattle station.

To replicate the essence of this film, discover the Northern Territory on a three-day itinerary featuring Darwin, Kakadu National Park and Katherine Gorge from £370 per person. Combine this with a stay in laid back Darwin, located only four hours from Singapore. Hotels start from £36 per person per night.

In addition, experience a working cattle station by visiting the Kimberley region of Western Australia and spend two-nights at the El Questro Homestead. Set in over a million acres, a stay at this magnificent property starts from £928 per person for two nights full board.

FOOL’S GOLD (due for release April 2008)
Set in Queensland and starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, “Fool’s Gold” tells the story of a surf bum turned treasure hunter who risks his life and marriage in the pursuit of lost treasure. The film showcases sweeping views of pristine, white beaches and Australia’s famous natural wonder – the Great Barrier Reef.

The cast and film crew stayed on stunning Hamilton Island during filming and to receive the five-star, movie-star treatment, qualia, the new luxury resort on Hamilton Island, is the place to be. Prices start from £726 per person for two nights, full board.

Alternatively, the Great Barrier Reef can be explored on an eight-day “Reef Endeavour” cruise from Cairns exploring remote reefs, exclusive islands and shallow bays. Prices start from £775 per person, full board.

ROGUE (trailed in cinemas now)
Starring Australian actress Radha Mitchell and French-American actor Michael Varta, “Rogue” is a horror/thriller about an American journalist on assignment in the Australian Outback who encounters a man eating crocodile. Much of the story is set in the rugged Northern Territory.

From Darwin join a three-day deluxe four-wheel drive Kakadu/Litchfield safari, which includes a Mary River cruise, for the chance to come up close and personal with crocodiles. Prices are from £389 per person including both wilderness lodge and permanent camp accommodation.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT (1998)
This legendary road movie , and now a hit stage musical, is about the adventures of three drag queens travelling through the Outback in order to perform in Alice Springs. To visit some of the featured locations, try the three-day escorted Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Uluru trip from £320 per person including transport and accommodation.

HOLY SMOKE (2000)
Starring Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel, “Holy Smoke” was filmed in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. Departing from Adelaide, discover this region on a three-day accommodated tour which journeys through the Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound via the Clare Valley wine region. Prices are from £650 per person for this escorted tour.

Other well known Australia films include DEAD CALM (Nicole Kidman, Sam Neil and Billy Zane), MAD MAX (filmed in South Australia with Mel Gibson), CROCODILE DUNDEE (starring Paul Hogan), STRICTLY BALLROOM (directed by Baz Luhrmann), PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, SHINE, MURIEL’S WEDDING, BREAKER MORANT, NED KELLY and THE CASTLE.

QANTAS HOLIDAYS can organise a two-week holiday, featuring the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland, from £2,479 per person, valid for travel 16/04-15/06/08. This price includes:

-international flights from London with Qantas
-internal flights within Australia
-3-nights 3* accommodation in Adelaide
-1-night Kangaroo Island tour
-1-night 3* accommodation in Alice Springs
-3-day Red Centre Highlights Tour
-1-night 3* accommodation at Ayers Rock Resort
-2-nights 3* accommodation in Cairns
-Great Barrier Reef Cruise
-4-nights 3* accommodation in Port Douglas
-Airport coach transfers throughout

Qantas Holidays also offers Qantas Airways flights from as little as £669 return to Perth.

Other fares include:
-Sydney from £705
-Melbourne from £705
-Brisbane from £727
-Adelaide from £735
-Darwin from £731
-Cairns from £735

All prices quoted are return economy class promotional fares inclusive of taxes, fees and airport related charges and are valid for departures from the UK between 16 April and 15 June 2008. Additional airport taxes and fees may be required for stopovers and/or alternative routings.

For more information, visit Qantas.co.uk/holidays.