From white, sandy beaches bordered by dramatic jagged cliffs and crystal blue waters, to giant sand dunes, out-of-this-world rock formations and vast expanses of uninterrupted bushland, South Australia’s Kangaroo Island offers something increasingly sought-after in global screen production: locations that feel untouched, new and entirely cinematic.
Situated 110km south-west of Adelaide off the tip of South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island, spanning approximately 4,400 sq km. It is accessible by ferry from Cape Jervis – a 90-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD – and via direct flights from all major Australian cities.
Encircled by more than 500km of jaw-dropping coastline, and with more wildlife than people (including, yes, kangaroos!), Kangaroo Island is home to mesmerising natural wonders unlike anywhere on earth.
It’s no surprise the island is a popular destination for visiting talent, even outside formal shooting schedules, with celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Jamie Dornan, Zac Efron and Katy Perry all making a stop there in recent years.
All images supplied by the South Australian Film Corporation: Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island © heidi who photos / Kangaroo Island’s Vivonne Bay © South Australian Tourism Commission / Admiral’s Arch, Flinders Chase National Park © Drea Chong / Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, Kangaroo Island © South Australian Tourism Commission
The island’s epic landscapes are front and centre in Kangaroo Island, the new feature film from South Australian director Timothy David, now screening in US theatres.
For David, returning from the US to his home state to shoot Kangaroo Island was both a creative and deeply personal decision, one that allowed the location to shape not just the look of the film, but its meaning.
Starring Rebecca Breeds (Clarice, C*A*U*G*H*T), Erik Thomson (Aftertaste, Black Snow) and Adelaide Clemens (Justified: City Primeval, The Great Gatsby), Kangaroo Island premiered at the 2024 Adelaide Film Festival and spent three weeks in the Netflix Australia Top 10 on its streaming debut.
“I grew up in South Australia, so there’s always been that connection, but Kangaroo Island is something else entirely. Wherever you look, there’s beautiful landscapes and animals everywhere.”
Timothy David, Director of Kangaroo Island
David says Kangaroo Island was conceived with the location in mind, with expansive landscapes like Vivonne Bay and Pennington Beach designed to encourage audiences “to think about larger-than-life questions: our place among animals, and more broadly, our place in the universe”.
“For many (audiences), it’s a chance to experience Australia in a way they haven’t before,” he says.
“A lot of Americans don’t travel as much, so seeing these landscapes on screen is exciting.”
From a production perspective, David says Kangaroo Island offers a rare combination of cinematic scale and practical freedom.
“It’s a wonderful place to shoot,” he says, noting the friendliness of the locals as a real asset.
Backed by the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) and Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) Investment Fund, the production also benefited from a strong local crew base out of Adelaide and established screen infrastructure across the state.
“It looks incredible – there are remote beaches, and you can often shoot without the need for traffic control. You’re free to move around with your camera and capture what you need.”
Timothy David, Director of Kangaroo Island
All images supplied by the South Australian Film Corporation: Artisanal gin distillery Kangaroo Island Spirits was used as a location in Kangaroo Island © Meaghan Coles / Luxury hotel Southern Ocean Lodge offers striking modern architecture and exquisite views © South Australian Tourism Commission / The charming streets of Kingscote, Kangaroo Island © Heidi Lewis
Another strength of the island for productions is in the variety of locations available, from the rolling sand dunes of the Little Sahara to the 326 sq km (126 sq mi) of untouched natural bushland of Flinders Chase National Park, the Australian sea lion colony that populates Seal Bay to the picturesque streets of Kingscote and Penneshaw.
This range and flexibility means despite the unpredictability of outdoor and coastal shoots, alternative locations are never far away.
“For one of our final scenes, we had winds reaching almost gale force,” David recalls.
“But just around the corner there was a completely sheltered spot – calm, glassy water. That flexibility is incredibly valuable. There’s always another option.”
It’s part of the benefits of filming in South Australia in general, David says, with consistent and temperate weather, and an abundance of deserts, forests and coastlines in the state.
“South Australia can double for almost anywhere in the world. You can find what suits your story, and it’s usually accessible.”
Timothy David, Director of Kangaroo Island
All images supplied by the South Australian Film Corporation: Kangaroo Island © South Australian Tourism Commission / Little Sahara © South Australian Tourism Commission / Seal Bay © Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance
Kangaroo Island was also the setting for 2007 coming-of-age drama December Boys, starring Daniel Radcliffe and South Australia’s Teresa Palmer in one of her earliest roles.
One of the island’s most famous tourist attractions, the aptly named 500 million year old sculptural granite formation known as Remarkable Rocks, provided a key location for the film.
Director Rod Hardy said he “knew what a unique place” Kangaroo Island was.
“The script called for a cove where the film is set, that was beautiful but also desolate,” he said.
“Coves aren’t that easy to find but the one at Kangaroo Island was perfect. It sits directly west so the sun sets between the headlands and gives it a magical feeling.”
The island’s proximity to Adelaide made it possible to base production in the city, and film additional scenes at the South Australian Film Corporation’s Adelaide Studios, but “not have too far to travel”.
Kangaroo Island is just one of the many stunning and diverse filming locations on offer in South Australia, all easily accessible from capital city Adelaide.
South Australia is the perfect destination for screen productions of any size, offering competitive State Government production incentives, world-class crews and flexible facilities at the South Australian Film Corporation’s Adelaide Studios, as well as an internationally renowned hub of award-winning post-production and VFX companies.
Visit safilm.com.au to learn more about making your production in South Australia.