We don’t mean to brag, but the small screen loves us. The silver screen, too. We’re a raw, natural talent (humble, too). Don’t go to Hollywood to get your celebrity fix—they come to us now! Instead of red carpet, we roll out layers of mountains. There’s no need to be a diva, we delight in the drama of our epic vistas. Hours in hair and makeup are not required—our natural beauty shines through.
We’ve put together some tips to help you discover Tasmania from the comfort of your couch.
TV Series Shot in Tasmania
1. The Gloaming
It’s a thrill to see Hobart and Tasmania portraying such moody vibes in Stan’s crime drama The Gloaming. There’s a snow-covered kunanyi/Mt Wellington featuring an eerie blinking light, a dark and menacing Derwent River, and a whole lot of fish and chips spread across car bonnets and picnic tables. As well as showcasing locations around Hobart, the waterfront and the Eastern Shore (prime fish and chip territory), the series also ventures south to Peppermint Bay, west to the epic Gordon Dam, and north through central Tasmania.
You could watch this solely for the beautifully surreal shots of the Tasmanian landscape. If you are actually interested in the plot, prepare yourself for some brutal murders, troubled characters, mysterious pasts, corrupt politicians, shady business dealings, allusions to our convict history, a touch of the occult, and a mid-winter festival that wouldn’t be out of place at Dark Mofo. Yeah, it’s a lot.
2. Rosehaven
Homegrown comedic talent Luke McGregor and best mate Celia Pacquola bring the laughs with Rosehaven on ABC iView. The quirky, lovable comedy is set in the small, eccentric (fictional) town of Rosehaven. There is no real estate problem that these two can’t (creatively and hilariously) solve. Scenes were filmed at New Norfolk in the Derwent Valley and Geeveston in the Huon Valley. Both towns have their own charming quirks (at Geeveston, the bank is a cafe and some of the locals are made of wood). Some scenes were also filmed at Oatlands, Longley, Richmond, Seven Mile Beach, Mountain River, Brighton and Chigwell.
3. The Kettering Incident
If you like your thrills wrapped up in an unsettling cloak of mystery, The Kettering Incident (2016) is sure to grab you. The landscape has a starring role in this modern Gothic series, with scenes mainly shot around the Southern Trove. You’ll recognise the seaside town of Kettering (the location of a possible alien encounter in 1976), moody Mountain River with its striking view of Sleeping Beauty, and natural beauty Bruny Island.
4. Dark Place — Episode 2 ‘Vale Light’
Dark Place is a gripping collection of five Indigenous horror tales available to stream on ABC iView. Episode 2, Vale Light, was written and directed by emerging Tasmanian filmmaker Rob Braslin and shot in Clarendon Vale where he grew up. The bite-sized episode follows single mum, Shae (Tasia Zalar), and her daughter, Isabelle (homegrown talent Jolie Everett), who are doing it tough in the public housing commission estate of Pendle Vale. Their neighbour seems nice enough at first but turns out to be a little bit witchy. By the end, secrets are revealed and fortunes are changed.
5. Aussie Lobster Men
Aussie Lobster Men follows the real-life dramas of six lobster boat captains as they risk it all in search of the world’s most prized seafood delicacy, Tasmanian Rock Lobster. The series portrays the real life events of crews aboard commercial fishing vessels in the waters around Tasmania. Season 1 is available to stream on 7plus (season 2 premiered in 2019 on the Discovery Channel and will appear on 7plus at a later date).
Feature Films Shot in Tasmania
1. The Nightingale
The Nightingale (2018) is a historical revenge thriller following Clare, a young Irish convict woman (played by Aisling Franciosi, aka Lyanna Stark) as she chases a British officer through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, hell-bent on getting revenge for a horrific act of violence. She enlists help from an Aboriginal tracker who has experienced his own share of violence and trauma. Filming locations included the scenic Derwent Valley and High Street in the historic town of Oatlands, in the Southern Midlands.
2. Lion
Prepare the comfort food—you are about to feel a lot of feelings! Lion (2016) is a gripping biographical film with a golden heart, based on the true story of a five-year-old Indian boy who gets very lost before being adopted by an Tasmanian couple. Twenty-five years later, he sets out to find his lost family.
Lion was filmed in several locations around Hobart, including a scene jogging up kunanyi/Mt Wellington. There are some stunning shots of the Tasman Region, including a game of beach cricket at Marion Bay and sailing with views of Cape Hauy. A beautiful aerial shot of The Neck at Bruny Island features in the trailer.
3. The Hunter
The Hunter (2011) stars Willem Dafoe as a mercenary—disguised as a scientist—sent into Tasmania’s pristine wilderness to hunt the supposedly extinct Tasmanian tiger. There are psychological thrills, unexpected twists and turns, and impressive shots of the rugged landscape.
Filming locations include Maydena, Westerway General Store, the National Park Hotel, the Upper Florentine Valley, and the Central Plateau. In Hobart, kunanyi/Mt Wellington has a moment, as does the Hobart International Airport. The Hotel Grand Chancellor and Lenna of Hobart appear as a Paris hotel room.
4. Blood Hunt
Blood Hunt (2017) is one for horror fans, offering nail-biting suspense and gut-wrenching terror. An innocent couple on a romantic getaway are drawn into a waking nightmare of torture and revenge.
Not an ideal turn of events, but at least Oatlands looks lovely! Rural Tasmania is on show, with the scariest scenes shot in Tasmania’s Midlands. After watching this film, you might think twice about winding down your window when a stranger taps on it at the petrol station. Blood Hunt is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
We love it when you share your adventures with us! Share your snaps by tagging @hobartandbeyond and using #HobartandBeyond on Instagram and Facebook – we’ll share our favourite pics on social media and in the blog.
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Go Wild: A Most Extravagant Tasmanian Getaway
The Ultimate Road Trip: Tasmania’s Western Wilds
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All Heroes Walk Capes: 5 Bold Hikes in Southern Tasmania
