Recreate Baz Luhrmann’s epic Australia

Baz Luhrmann’s epic film Australia premiered in Sydney yesterday and will open in UK cinemas on Boxing Day. This eagerly anticipated movie tells the story of an English aristocrat (played by Nicole Kidman), who travels to Australia where she meets a rough-hewn local (played by Hugh Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save the land she has inherited. Together they embark on a transforming journey across the outback, only to face the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese forces in World War II.

The film, shot on location in Australia, showcases the stunning beauty of the country and the adventure and romance Nicole Kidman’s character experiences there. Those inspired by Luhrmann’s film to visit Australia in 2009 can enjoy some of the experiences and themes portrayed in the movie. Here are just a few ideas.

Experience the romance of the outback
Dine under the stars in a Robinson-Crusoe like setting at Faraway Bay, a remote bushcamp in the Kimberley region where you can enjoy outback luxury and great hospitality. Spectacularly isolated, the film crew stayed here twice to shoot footage of the twin falls on the nearby King George River. Located in the north-west corner of Australia, this is a place so remote you won’t find it on any map. Farawaybay.com.au

Become an Australian Jackaroo or Jillaroo
Home Valley Station, set at the base of the Cockburn Ranges, is a working cattle station that offers guests an authentic outback experience with a range of accommodation options; from lavish outback lodges to safari style eco tents. Guests at the station are invited to muster cattle or ride a horse along Home Valley’s Pentecost River, the very river that the characters cross in the movie. Homevalley.com.au

Sleep under the stars
Apparently Baz Luhrmann camped in the outback whilst filming Australia the movie. If you too want to experience a night under the stars you can do so within a 90 minute drive of Sydney. Blue Mountain Private Safaris offer wild bush luxury in a private camp on the banks of the Wollondilly River. Bluemountainsprivatesafaris.com.

On your return to Sydney visit Strickland House, the 1850s villa that features as Darwin’s Government House in the film. Visitnsw.com

Take in Sunsets, Saddles and Shiraz
Follow in Hugh Jackman’s footsteps and experience life as a drover on a new four day riding tour in South Australia. Combine the rustic romance of cattle droving, gourmet food and wine, native wildlife and the breathtaking Flinders Ranges, all just a few hours' drive north of Adelaide. Prairiehotel.com.au

Experience an outback tour with a difference
On the Outback Mail Run you will travel with the mailman delivering mail to the historic outback towns of Oodnadatta and William Creek as well as remote cattle stations including the world’s largest, Anna Creek. This one-day outback experience tour travels over diverse country, including gibber plains, red sand hills, and a 120 million year old ancient in-land seabed. Desertdiversity.com

Experience Aboriginal culture in Kakadu National Park
Australia’s Aboriginal culture is a strong theme of the film. The Top End’s Kakadu National Park is largely owned by Aboriginal people and is home to an abundance of wildlife and significant rock art sites. Apparently cast members visited Kakadu, reportedly flying in by helicopter to experience the renowned Yellow Water Billabong cruise. Yellowwatercruises.com

Explore Darwin’s movie links
When the cameras stopped rolling during filming in Darwin, cast and crew were spotted dining at Char Restaurant (charrestaurant.com.au) and drinking at Roma Bar in Darwin’s Cavanagh Street (romabar.com.au). They also reportedly took to Darwin’s streets on scooters before sleeping at the Hastings over Mindil apartments located a short walk from Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (hastingsovermindil.com).

Follow a reef to outback trail
An epic journey is central to the plot of Luhrmann’s Australia so why not enjoy your own self drive adventure taking in two of Australia’s most iconic natural attractions – the Great Barrier Reef and the Aussie outback. Queenslandholidays.com.au

Go on location in ‘Bowenwood’
The sleepy seaside town of Bowen in Queensland underwent an extensive makeover in May and June 2007 and features as 1930’s Darwin in Australia the movie. Nicole Kidman celebrated her birthday in Bowen and apparently husband Keith Urban made it a night to remember by hiring out the Summergarden Theatre for a private movie screening followed by dinner at Three Sixty restaurant on Flagstaff Hill. Hugh Jackman and family were often spotted on the white sands of Horseshoe Bay, and the cast were frequent customers at Jochheim’s Pies, which now features Hunky Hugh pies on the menu. Tourismbowen.com.au

Experience Australian adventure
Australia’s back yard is showcased in Luhrmann’s new film and will undoubtedly inspire people to look for outdoors adventure in their next Aussie holiday. For unspoilt adventure visit Tasmania where you can mountain bike on Mt Wellington (hobartcity.com.au), hike the Overland Track from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair (overlandtrack.com.au) or sail the remote Bay of Fires (bayoffiressalingcruises). Relax after all that excitement at Freycinet Lodge (freycinetlodge.com.au) on Tasmania’s east-coast and take a stroll at beautiful Wineglass Bay.

Explore Gippsland on horseback
Horse riding skills are proven by all the central characters in Australia the movie and you too can saddle up Down Under. In Gippsland in Victoria you can ride across mountain ridges, through rivers and into the native bushland of the Great Dividing Range. Packers High Country Horse Riding is a five and a half hour drive from Melbourne and offers one hour to five day itineraries. Horsetreks.com.

City Slicking
If you want some city style to contrast with your outback adventures fly into sophisticated Melbourne. With top-notch restaurants and markets, chic inner-city villages and an eclectic mix of galleries, cafes and open spaces, Melbourne is a fantastic place to begin your Aussie holiday. Visitvictoria.com

For more information visit Australia.com.