Clive Owen, Natalie Imbruglia and Jim Carrey are among a host of stars filming on location in South Australia this year in films that showcase the attractions of the region as a holiday destination.

The rich and varied landscape of South Australia provides the backdrop for The Boys Are Back starring Clive Owen.

Over 33 locations throughout South Australia were used by Shine director Scott Hicks – from the beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula to the vineyards of the Adelaide Hills. Hugo Weaving, star of the Matrix series and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (also shot in South Australia), will soon be appearing on our screens in Last Ride.

Weaving spent seven weeks on a constantly-moving 5,500 kilometre shoot across some of South Australia’s most remote locations for this gritty father-son road movie.

Other films due for release in 2009 include Beautiful Kate written and directed by British-born Rachel Ward (The Thorn Birds) and starring her husband Bryan Brown. This powerful family drama, based on a novel by American writer Newton Thornburg, was shot around the Flinders Ranges and Adelaide.

Singer and TV actress, Natalie Imbruglia, takes on her first leading role in Closed for Winter based on Georgia Blain’s acclaimed Australian novel.

The film premiered at Adelaide’s Film Festival in February, attended by Imbruglia who commented: “I loved making the film Closed for Winter in Adelaide.

The locations such as Henley Beach and Semaphore reminded me of my childhood on the beaches of the central coast in New South Wales.”

South Australia’s sea life recently starred in Under the Sea 3D, a major new IMAX 3D film produced by Warner Brothers and narrated by Jim Carrey.

The Eyre Peninsula took centre stage with aquatic stars including South Australia’s great white sharks, giant cuttlefish, leafy sea dragons and Australian sea lions.

Over the years, other films shot in South Australia have included; Mad Max and Gallipoli (Mel Gibson); Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir); Holy Smoke (Kate Winslet and Harvey Kietel) and December Boys (Daniel Radcliffe).

Source: Travel Bite