As the Kimberley gets ready to shine - You should get ready to win!
Final preparations are being made in Kununurra, Western Australia, for the premiere of the highly-anticipated Baz Luhrmann epic Australia, on Tuesday 18 November.
Recognizing the integral role that the Kimberley plays in Australia - both its land and its people – the 20th Century Fox event will allow the community, including the local Elders and Traditional Owners, to be among the first in the world to see the film.
There is a sense of pride and excitement in the air as the local community braces itself for world-wide exposure as Australia is released in Australia and the US on November 26, then to more than 60 countries globally.
In celebration of movie's release, Tourism Western Australia is giving one lucky member of the Australian media (and the travel companion of their choice) the chance to win an Australia inspired holiday to the spectacular Kimberley region of Western Australia.
The lucky winner and a partner will retrace the steps of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman's epic outback adventure – with a five day trip to the value of AUD$5,000 to the Kimberley destination of their choice.
To be in the running to win, all you need to do is answer in 50 words of less why you'd love to experience this amazing area of Australia. Entries must be emailed to kimberley@westernaustralia.com by Australia Day, 26 January 2009.
Inspired by the magnificent colour palette and breath-taking landscape of the Kimberley, Baz Luhrmann took more than 400 cast and crew to the region in August and September 2007 to film pivotal scenes of this epic romantic adventure.
The key Kimberley film locations include the Cockburn Range, El Questro Wilderness Park, Purnululu National Park, Digger's Rest Station, Home Valley Station, the King George River and Falls and Carlton Hill Station – the location chosen as the home for Lady Sarah Ashley's (Nicole Kidman's character) Faraway Downs Homestead.
During filming the small outback town of Kununurra, which means 'big water' in the local Aboriginal language and is the gateway to the east Kimberley, was the base for many cast and crew who had an adventure of their own each day, travelling by four wheel drive through red earth country and boab tree forests to reach the set at
Carlton Hill Station, about a 50 minute drive out of town.
After filming, stars took time out to explore the region taking scenic flights over the amazing domed rock formations of the Bungle Bungle Range in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, cruising along the Ord River to Lake Argyle which is around 20 times larger than Sydney Harbour and home to amazing bird and animal life, cooling off under waterfalls and sharing stories with the local characters of the region.
In addition to choosing the Kimberley as the location for many Australia scenes, Baz Luhrmann returned to the area to film the new 'Come Walkabout' advertisements for Tourism Australia.
The two ninety-second mini movies demonstrate the transforming nature of the Kimberley region, allowing people to get back to basics and be inspired by this ancient, magical part of Australia.
Starring in the commercial and the movie Australia (as young Aboriginal boy Nullah) is Brandon Walters. A first time actor, Brandon hails from Broome in the west Kimberley.
To find out more about Australia the movie or the Kimberley as a holiday destination go to: www.westernaustralia.com/kimberley
