2015-11-06

Forget the Big Banana. Next time you head off on an Aussie road trip (and if you haven't already -- we'd highly recommend you do) why not throw a bit of popular culture into the mix?

The Huffington Post Australia has compiled a list of real-life places from iconic Aussie movies you can actually visit -- and while some might have more cult appeal than tourist attractions (Bonnie Doon, anyone?) -- we still think they're worth the stop over.

Check out some of our favourites below.

Hanging Rock, 'Picnic At Hanging Rock'



'Picnic at Hanging Rock' is a 1975 film based on Joan Lindsay's 1967 book by the same name, and revolves around the mysterious disappearance of two girls and their teacher on Valentine's Day in 1900.

Directed by Peter Weir, the movie has been credited with reigniting international interest in Australian film and it remains an Aussie classic to this day.

Road trippers interested in the spooky site can easily visit Hanging Rock, which is situated in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria, about an hour north of Melbourne.

Bonnie Doon, 'The Castle'



How's the serenity?

If you're anything like the Kerrigan family, you won't find a more serene place to stop off on your travels than Bonnie Doon.

The Victorian lakeside town is where lovable Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) builds a holiday home for his family in Aussie cult hit 'The Castle'. Bonnie Doon is 165 kilometres (just over a two hour drive) north-east from Melbourne.

In case your memory needs jogging, check out the two clips below.

Need more Kerrigan-isms in your life? Check out some of the classic quotes from the film here.

Martin Place, 'The Matrix'

Remember when Neo (Keanu Reeves) is learning about the Matrix from Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) only to get distracted by the gorgeous woman in the red dress? No? Maybe this will jog your memory...



Though the actual city of 'The Matrix' is never specified in the film, it was actually filmed in several locations throughout Sydney.

The 1999 sci-fi was such a hit it went onto spark two sequels, 'The Matrix Reloaded' (2003) and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003).

Broken Hill, 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert'

Mario's Palace, Broken Hill.

To be honest, you could ignore all our other suggestions and easily do an entire road trip just based on the 1994 hit flick 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.' Starting off in Sydney, you'd make stops at Broken Hill and Coober Pedy before heading well into the Northern Territory, eventually winding up at Alice Springs.

But on the way you might want to stop in for a pint at The Palace in Broken Hill, which is where Tick (Hugo Weaving), Bernadette (Terence Stamp) and Felicia (Guy Pearce) spend the night. You can even book the exact room, The Priscilla Suite.

Not a fan of pink buses?

Broken Hill was also chosen as the filming location for the 1981 'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior'.

The Pilbara, 'Red Dog'

Why not make like the real-life 'red dog' and go explore Western Australia's Pilbara?

The 2011 Aussie film, based on the real-life adventures of Red Dog, was a huge hit with audiences and won Best Film at the AACTA Awards.

Director Kriv Stenders has returned to the Pilbara to shoot a prequel to the film, aptly titled 'Blue Dog.'

Wolfe Creek Crater, 'Wolf Creek'

OK, so a trip to Western Australia's Wolf Creek Meteorite Crater isn't for the faint-hearted. Those who have viewed the 2005 horror film will know the crater is where the paths of three unsuspecting backpackers cross with mass murderer Mick Taylor (John Jarratt).

Still, the actual crater -- formed by a giant meteorite that crashed into the earth 300,000 years ago -- definitely looks like it's worth a visit if you can brave it.

Fun fact: Due to the success of the film, the meteorite crater gets more publicity than any other national park in Australia.

Walkabout Creek Hotel, 'Crocodile Dundee'

Call that a pub? This is a pub.

Made famous for its role in the 1987 international hit 'Crocodile Dundee', The Walkabout Creek Hotel is nothing less than an Aussie institution.

Located at McKinlay in far north-west Queensland, The Walkabout was the favourite watering hole of colourful croc hunter Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) -- it really doesn't get much more Aussie than that.

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