Darwin Takes a Starring Role in Australia

Darwin celebrated in true Territory style for the premiere of Baz Luhrman’s blockbuster film epic Australia, starring Aussie film greats Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

While the simultaneous Sydney premiere had the stars, the red carpet and the designer accoutrement, Darwin’s event got off with a bite as NT’s Chief Minister, Paul Henderson led proceedings in front of a tank of crocodiles at Darwin’s brand new inner-city reptile park, Crocosaurus Cove.

“Darwin and the Northern Territory play an important role in the movie.” Mr Henderson said, "This is a wonderful, wonderful premiere of a wonderful, wonderful movie."

The movie tells the story of a reluctant alliance, and unlikely attraction, between a true-blue Aussie cattle rancher, (Jackman), and an English aristocrat who inherits an under threat cattle station deep in the outback (Kidman).

In an attempt to save the cattle station, the two stars embark on a mammoth adventure to lead 2000 cattle across Australia’s rugged Top-End, only to be caught up in the Japanese bombing of Darwin.

The alluring Darwin waterfront starred in the movie, with the penultimate bombing scenes filmed at the historical Stokes Wharf Precinct, an area which was battered by the real 1942 bombings, and survives today to tell the tale. Australia’s magnificent natural scenery and delightful landscapes were also put on show, with scenes shot in spectacular isolated areas of Western Australia and Queensland.

Director Baz Luhrman, of Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet fame, also wrote and produced the movie, and his enormous budget of $130 million makes Australia the most expensive movie ever filmed on Australian soil.

While Darwin’s premiere was on November the 18th, the public had to wait until the 26th November to catch the blockbuster at the cinema.