Dirt Music Road Trip to Esperance
Based on the novel by West Australian author Tim Winton, Dirt Music is a gripping drama and a haunting love story set against the powerful backdrop of Western Australia’s breathtaking and evocative landscapes, including Esperance in WA’s Golden Outback.
The picturesque town is nestled on the south coast of Western Australia and on the big screen, Esperance is alluring. The film locations for Dirt Music include the pristine shores of Hellfire Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park, and Twilight Beach, West Beach and Blue Haven Beach closer to town.
Directed by Gregor Jordon (Two Hands, Ned Kelly), the cinematic adaptation stars Scottish actress Kelly MacDonald, US actor Garrett Hedlund and Australian favourite David Wenham.
“Western Australia is from top to bottom extraordinary. It makes you feel so alive being in these places that are so remote,” said actress Kelly McDonald about filming in Esperance and WA.
Esperance really is the most perfect location for this epic love story - from its wide open, pure white sandy beaches to its rugged bush and granite outcrops, the scenery makes a fitting backdrop for this dramatic tale of love.
WA’s Golden Outback has created a five day itinerary, Perth to Esperance road trip to experience the region much like the film’s stars, a list of the most romantic things to see and do in Esperance and a list of film locations for visitors to retrace the steps of Dirt Music’s star-crossed lovers, namely:
1. Wylie Bay
The sand dunes around Wylie Bay are otherworldly, unspoilt and cinematic, so little wonder it was chosen as a backdrop for the film. If you want to get to Wylie Bay, we’d recommend a 4WD as the beach can be soft and boggy, alternatively, take a tour with Esperance Eco Discovery Tours.
2. Hellfire Bay Road, Cape Le Grand
No movie filmed in Esperance would be complete without a shot of Frenchman’s Peak. You can see it in the background of the scenes filmed on Hellfire Bay Road in Cape Le Grand National Park. If you’re heading to the national park to see the iconic Lucky Bay, be sure to add in a stop to climb Frenchman’s Peak for some epic views across the coastline and Archipelago.
3. Bandy Creek
Bandy Creek is a popular spot to launch a boat or thrown in a line, and the actors thought the same, using is to launch their vessels. There is a small beach which is bounded by the western breakwater, a central and terminal groyne, so the water is usually calm.
4. Gibson Soak Hotel
The eagle-eyed among you will have spotted Aussie musician Julia Stone in the movie, and in one scene, the band play a gig at the Gibson Soak Hotel. This is a classic country pub, decked out under the 100-year-old Morton Bay Fig trees with a lovely garden out the back. Stop here for a lunch or dinner and channel your inner movie star.
5. Twilight Beach
Twilight Beach is one of Esperance’s most iconic thanks to its unique rock just off the shore. It certainly made a beautiful backdrop for the movie’s star, Kelly MacDonald. Just a few kilometres from town, it only takes a few minutes to reach and you too can be transported to this picture-perfect beach.
6. Lover’s Cove
A little further along the Great Ocean Drive from Twilight Beach, is Lover’s Cove. Bordered by steep granite slopes and vegetation, this beach is long, wide and epic, the perfect location for an epic love story.
Dirt Music is produced by two-time Academy Award® nominees and BAFTA Award winners Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey (Brooklyn, An Education) of Wildgaze Films and Academy Award® nominee Angie Fielder (Lion, Wish You Were Here) and Polly Staniford (Berlin Syndrome) of Australian based production entity Aquarius Films. Dirt Music is in cinemas from October 8.
WA’s Golden Outback is giving away an Esperance escape for two plus $500 spending money and four nights accommodation, allowing plenty of time to explore the white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, sun bathing kangaroos, hiking trails, delicious restaurants and so much more. Enter here.
There’s never been a better time take an epic road trip and explore Western Australia’s Golden Outback. The tourism operators in the region are looking forward to welcoming holiday-makers from WA as well as from interstate once the state border reopens.
For more information, visit www.roadtoesperance.com.
Dirt Music was supported through Western Australian Regional Film Fund supported by Royalties for Regions, with production funding from Screenwest and Lotterywest, closely working with the Kimberley and Goldfields Esperance Development Commissions
- Esperance shines as one of the stars of Dirt Music
- Esperance is for lovers, take a romantic break with a road trip
- Remote, safe, pristine and incredibly beautiful
- Dirt Music is in Australian cinemas from October 8
Based on the novel by West Australian author Tim Winton, Dirt Music is a gripping drama and a haunting love story set against the powerful backdrop of Western Australia’s breathtaking and evocative landscapes, including Esperance in WA’s Golden Outback.
The picturesque town is nestled on the south coast of Western Australia and on the big screen, Esperance is alluring. The film locations for Dirt Music include the pristine shores of Hellfire Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park, and Twilight Beach, West Beach and Blue Haven Beach closer to town.
Directed by Gregor Jordon (Two Hands, Ned Kelly), the cinematic adaptation stars Scottish actress Kelly MacDonald, US actor Garrett Hedlund and Australian favourite David Wenham.
“Western Australia is from top to bottom extraordinary. It makes you feel so alive being in these places that are so remote,” said actress Kelly McDonald about filming in Esperance and WA.
Esperance really is the most perfect location for this epic love story - from its wide open, pure white sandy beaches to its rugged bush and granite outcrops, the scenery makes a fitting backdrop for this dramatic tale of love.
WA’s Golden Outback has created a five day itinerary, Perth to Esperance road trip to experience the region much like the film’s stars, a list of the most romantic things to see and do in Esperance and a list of film locations for visitors to retrace the steps of Dirt Music’s star-crossed lovers, namely:
1. Wylie Bay
The sand dunes around Wylie Bay are otherworldly, unspoilt and cinematic, so little wonder it was chosen as a backdrop for the film. If you want to get to Wylie Bay, we’d recommend a 4WD as the beach can be soft and boggy, alternatively, take a tour with Esperance Eco Discovery Tours.
2. Hellfire Bay Road, Cape Le Grand
No movie filmed in Esperance would be complete without a shot of Frenchman’s Peak. You can see it in the background of the scenes filmed on Hellfire Bay Road in Cape Le Grand National Park. If you’re heading to the national park to see the iconic Lucky Bay, be sure to add in a stop to climb Frenchman’s Peak for some epic views across the coastline and Archipelago.
3. Bandy Creek
Bandy Creek is a popular spot to launch a boat or thrown in a line, and the actors thought the same, using is to launch their vessels. There is a small beach which is bounded by the western breakwater, a central and terminal groyne, so the water is usually calm.
4. Gibson Soak Hotel
The eagle-eyed among you will have spotted Aussie musician Julia Stone in the movie, and in one scene, the band play a gig at the Gibson Soak Hotel. This is a classic country pub, decked out under the 100-year-old Morton Bay Fig trees with a lovely garden out the back. Stop here for a lunch or dinner and channel your inner movie star.
5. Twilight Beach
Twilight Beach is one of Esperance’s most iconic thanks to its unique rock just off the shore. It certainly made a beautiful backdrop for the movie’s star, Kelly MacDonald. Just a few kilometres from town, it only takes a few minutes to reach and you too can be transported to this picture-perfect beach.
6. Lover’s Cove
A little further along the Great Ocean Drive from Twilight Beach, is Lover’s Cove. Bordered by steep granite slopes and vegetation, this beach is long, wide and epic, the perfect location for an epic love story.
Dirt Music is produced by two-time Academy Award® nominees and BAFTA Award winners Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey (Brooklyn, An Education) of Wildgaze Films and Academy Award® nominee Angie Fielder (Lion, Wish You Were Here) and Polly Staniford (Berlin Syndrome) of Australian based production entity Aquarius Films. Dirt Music is in cinemas from October 8.
WA’s Golden Outback is giving away an Esperance escape for two plus $500 spending money and four nights accommodation, allowing plenty of time to explore the white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, sun bathing kangaroos, hiking trails, delicious restaurants and so much more. Enter here.
There’s never been a better time take an epic road trip and explore Western Australia’s Golden Outback. The tourism operators in the region are looking forward to welcoming holiday-makers from WA as well as from interstate once the state border reopens.
For more information, visit www.roadtoesperance.com.
Dirt Music was supported through Western Australian Regional Film Fund supported by Royalties for Regions, with production funding from Screenwest and Lotterywest, closely working with the Kimberley and Goldfields Esperance Development Commissions
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