Location: Cairns - Filming in FNQ
You won’t find many places in the world quite like the Cairns region in Far North Queensland as a destination for filming.
We have an unparalleled quality and variety of landscapes, infrastructure, creative talent and amenities. In 2024, we will also have a state-of-the-art 6500-square-metre film studio by Screen Queensland.
Cairns is best known as an Australian tourist city in the middle of two World Heritage-listed areas – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest – but we have so much more than that.
- Drive for just a half an hour out of the city and you can be in deep jungle rainforest or sitting under a coconut palm on a picture postcard beach.
- Another 30-minute drive will take you to the top of rolling green hills that are either dotted with dairy cattle, tea plantations or volcanic crater lakes.
- Hop in the car again and drive for another hour or so, and will be n the red dust of the outback, or wandering through a dystopian-looking ghost town.
Finding the right location
As a film-friendly Council, we want to make it as easy as possible for filmmakers, location scouts and production crew to find the right locations in our region.
Our digital film location guide and the image galleries on this page showcase the variety and extent of locations in and around Cairns. Images can also be found in Screen Queensland's locations database.
- Council's Film Liaison Officer can assist with filming permits and logistics in the Cairns region, as well as referrals to local location scouts for set-specific information and requests.
Contact Council's Film Liaison Officer Apply for a Filming Permit
A snapshot of locations in and around Cairns
Islands, beaches + Great Barrier Reef
Tropical North Queensland has hundreds of islands, picturesque palm-lined beaches, five star-resorts, rustic beach cottages and the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.
Cityscapes + suburbs
Modern high rises, historic buildings, laneway graffiti and striking restaurants, cafes, arts and retail precincts make up our city centre. A mix of architectural styles can be found in our suburbs.
Rainforest + jungle tracks
Just outside the city, there are deep tangles of jungle, tropical rainforest , bamboo forests and hiking trails through mountainous landscapes.
Outback + underground caves
The outback region has abandoned mines, red dust roads, old towns, dystopian landscapes and awe inspiring underground cave systems.
Rural + farmlands
Tea plantations, rolling green hills, cane fields, dairy farms and cropping regions surround Cairns.
Unique buildings + a castle
Discover art deco buildings, historic courthouses, halls and a crumbling European castle built by hand more than 100 years ago.
Mountains + waterfalls
Less than an hour from Cairns are more than 20 waterfalls and spectacular 'top of the world' views from mountaintops.
Industrial + railway yards
Desolate, edgy, industrial and dystopian landscapes minutes from the city centre.
Lakes + waterways
Several expansive lakes, teahouses, camping grounds and foreshore fishing spots are on the Atherton Tablelands.
Last Updated: 15 January 2024
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