Haven't we all at some point in time fantasized about stepping through a cinema/TV screen and into the world of our favourite movies and television shows? I certainly have!

With its modern, urban setting and stunning harbour, it is easy to see why Sydney leads the way as an ideal and versatile shooting destination. Movies shot here have been set in New York (Godzilla: Final Wars, Kangaroo Jack), Chicago (The Matrix and sequels), London (Birthday Girl), Seville (Mission Impossible 2), Bombay (Holy Smoke), Darwin (Australia), Myanmar (Stealth), Mars (Red Planet) and the fictitious city of Metropolis (Superman Returns, Babe: Pig in the City).

Whether popular landmarks or off the beaten track locations that are often hard to find, you can now explore Sydney in a fun and unique way with the SYDNEY ON SCREEN walking guides. Catering to Sydneysiders as much as visitors, the guides have something to offer everyone, from history, architecture and movie buffs to nature lovers.

See where productions such as Superman Returns, The Matrix and sequels, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Candy, Mission Impossible 2, Mao's Last Dancer, Babe: Pig in the City, Kangaroo Jack, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Muriel's Wedding, The Bold and the Beautiful, Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure and many more were filmed.

Maps and up-to-date information on Sydney's attractions are provided to help you plan your walk. Pick and choose from the suggested itinerary to see as little or as much of the city as you like.

So, come and discover the landscapes and locations that draw filmmakers to magical Sydney, and walk in the footsteps of the stars!

A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO EXPENSIVE TOURS, YOU CAN NOW ENJOY EXPLORING SYDNEY FOR UNDER $10 WITH THE SYDNEY ON SCREEN WALKING GUIDES. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT SYDNEYONSCREEN@HOTMAIL.COM

Subscribe to the blog and keep up with all the latest Aussie film and entertainment news. Read about what the stars are up to, who's in town, what movies are currently filming or being promoted. Locate us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sydneyonscreen and "like" our page!

Sydney on Screen walking guides now on sale!

Click on the picture above to see a preview of all four walking guides and on the picture below to see larger stills of Sydney movie and television locations featured in the slideshow!

Copyright © 2011 by Luke Brighty / Unless otherwise specified, all photographs on this blog copyright © 2011 by Luke Brighty


Sydney on Screen guides are now available for purchase at the following outlets:

Travel Concierge, Sydney International Airport, Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall (between gates A/B and C/D), Mascot - Ph: 1300 40 20 60

The Museum of Sydney shop, corner of Bridge & Phillip Streets, Sydney - Ph: (02) 9251 4678

The Justice & Police Museum shop, corner of Albert & Phillip Streets, Sydney - Ph: (02) 9252 1144

The Mint shop, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney - Ph: (02) 8239 2416

Hyde Park Barracks shop, Queen Square, Sydney - Ph: (02) 8239 2311

Travel Up! (travel counter) c/o Wake Up Sydney Central, 509 Pitt Street, Sydney - Ph (02) 9288 7888

The Shangri-La Hotel (concierge desk), 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney - Ph: (02) 9250 6018

The Sebel Pier One (concierge desk), 11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Sydney - Ph: (02) 8298 9901

The Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney (concierge desk), 27 O'Connell Street, Sydney - Ph: (02) 8214 0000

The Sydney Marriott Circular Quay (concierge desk), 30 Pitt Street, Sydney - Ph: (02) 9259 7000

Boobook on Owen, 1/68 Owen Street, Huskisson - Ph: (02) 4441 8585


NSW, interstate and international customers can order copies of Sydney on Screen using PayPal. Contact us at sydneyonscreen@hotmail.com to inquire about cost and shipping fees.


All four volumes of Sydney on Screen are available to download onto your PC or Kindle at:
Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.fr, Amazon.de, Amazon.es and Amazon.it


Walking in the footsteps of the stars of A Few Best Men

The Blue Mountains is a region in NSW famous for its stunning vistas, incredible rock formations and popular attractions such as The Three Sisters and Scenic World. But we’re not just here to enjoy beautiful landscapes and fun rides; our friend Arielle, Michael and I are spending a weekend walking in the footsteps of the stars of Stephan Elliott’s successful wedding comedy A Few Best Men.

Principal exterior photography for the movie starring Olivia Newton-John, Xavier Samuel, Laura Brent, Rebel Wilson, Kris Marshall, Kevin Bishop and Tim Draxl took place at historic Yester Grange Estate, located a few minutes’ drive from Wentworth Falls. The house and guest cottages are nestled in 20 acres of parkland and feature breathtaking views over the Jamison Valley.

While Arielle Guittard, co-creator and co-administrator of the French Olivia Newton-John blog (www.newtonjohn.blogspot.com), Michael and I marvel at the beauty of the Blue Mountains, we are also surprised by the silence that surrounds us. For most of our time at Yester Grange, we have the entire property to ourselves. Apart from the birdsong and sound of an occasional leaf dropping from a tree, the “Big Quiet” at Yester Grange is only broken by nightly Karaoke sessions taking place in the lounge room of our quaint Gatehouse cottage (http://www.yestergrange.com.au/bluemountainscottages.html).

After traumatising local wildlife with our renditions of classics such as A Little More Love, Heart Attack, Xanadu and I Honestly Love You, to mention just a few, we are well on our way to stardom and very much looking forward to joining Olivia on stage when she realises just how incredibly talented we really are and how lucky she would be to have us as backing singers... NOT!

Needless to say that the weekend is spent snapping away madly and filming every corner of Yester Grange. The estate is so photogenic that it’s literally impossible to take a bad picture. Special thanks go to Dean McComb for opening up the main house to us, for giving us a tour of the premises and for sharing anecdotes about the making of A Few Best Men. Below is a selection of my pictures with screen grabs from the movie to put the shots into context.

If you are visiting Australia and Sydney in particular, I highly recommend a side-trip to the Blue Mountains. Olivia fans and movie goers who enjoyed A Few Best Men will definitely be taken with a stay at Yester Grange…

Oh...and anyone seeking backing singers, you know who to call!

Cheers, Luke


Main house and gardens of Yester Grange


Luke relaxing in the gardens of Yester Grange (top) and wedding scene (bottom)


View of the main gate dressed with a prop (the Yester sign) for the movie


The main gate without the prop


The main entrance of the house


The verandah at the back of the house overlooking the gardens


The entrance and verandah at the back of the house


A function room used for several sequences including the Olivia “line ‘em up!” coke scene


Another shot of the verandah: Luke & Michael (top), Rebel, Jonathan, Olivia, Kevin, Tim and Kris (bottom)


Back door on the verandah painted white in the movie (left) and blue nowadays (right)


Tree-lined gravel path leading to the back of the house and gardens


View from the gardens: beautiful Jamison Valley


Flat Rock, the location used for the sauna scenes


Luke, Michael and Arielle enjoying the peace and quiet and beauty of Yester Grange

3 comments:

  1. Hey you beautiful people!!! These pictures are impressive and I hope you take care of our precious Arielle. Well, this shot shows she's gotta lot of fun with you ;-) Have a great time and give my Angel a hug please!!!!!!!!! xox Kay

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    1. Thanks Kay! We're having a great time with Arielle and very much enjoying her company. I'll be sure to pass on your hug... All the best to you. Cheers, Luke x

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  2. Hello to you all,.
    stunning photos of Yester Grange. Really gorgeous to see the filming location of "A Few Best Men" and to get some background information. I wish you all a marvelous time in Sydney.
    Arielle, wonderful to see you with the guys there. Enjoy every minute from your trip to Down Under.
    Cheers,
    Susanna

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