A Historic Move for a Television Giant
For the first time in its remarkable 38-year history, the iconic Australian television drama ‘Home and Away’ has ventured beyond its traditional East Coast setting to film in the breathtaking landscapes of Western Australia. This unprecedented move marks a significant milestone for the long-running series, promising to showcase the state’s raw, natural beauty to its vast international audience when the episodes air in March 2026.
‘Home and Away’, which has been a staple of Australian television since 1988, is primarily filmed at Sydney’s Palm Beach, known to fans as the fictional Summer Bay. Its popularity extends far beyond Australia, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it has cultivated a massive and loyal following for decades. This venture to the opposite side of the continent represents a fresh creative direction and a powerful endorsement of Western Australia as a world-class filming and travel destination.
Spotlight on the Ningaloo Coast’s Natural Wonders
The production has chosen some of the most dramatic and pristine locations within the state, centering on the acclaimed Ningaloo Coast. This region is not just visually stunning but also holds immense ecological importance.
Key Filming Locations Revealed:
- Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area: A globally recognized site, famous for its incredible biodiversity and the world’s largest fringing coral reef. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, the coral starts just meters from the shore, making it exceptionally accessible.
- Coral Bay & Turquoise Bay: These aptly named locations are celebrated for their crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life. Turquoise Bay was named one of the top beaches in the world by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.
- Cape Range National Park: Offering a stunning “range to reef” experience, the park features rugged limestone ranges and deep canyons. Key sites filmed here include the dramatic Charles Knife Canyon and the tranquil Yardie Creek, where rocky gorges meet the turquoise ocean.
The “Screen Tourism” Effect: A Potential Boom for the West
This high-profile filming is widely expected to trigger a significant surge in tourism for the region, a phenomenon often referred to as “screen tourism” or the “set-jetting” effect. When a popular show or film highlights a location, it often translates into a direct increase in visitor numbers.
A prime example is the impact of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy on New Zealand, which is estimated to have contributed to a 50% increase in annual tourist arrivals. Similarly, ‘Game of Thrones’ drove unprecedented tourism to locations in Croatia, Iceland, and Northern Ireland.
Given ‘Home and Away’s’ daily broadcast to millions of viewers in Australia and over 145 other countries, the exposure for the Ningaloo Coast will be immense and sustained. Tourism Western Australia has actively supported the production, recognizing the unparalleled opportunity to display the region’s unique landscapes to potential international and domestic travelers.
What to Expect
The episodes will act as a powerful visual postcard, potentially driving bookings and interest long before the 2026 air date. The dramatic backdrop of canyons and coastlines provides a stark, beautiful contrast to the familiar scenery of Summer Bay, which is likely to captivate viewers and inspire them to experience the locations firsthand. This could lead to a diversification of tourism in Western Australia, drawing visitors further north from the traditional hubs of Perth and the Margaret River region.
As excitement builds, the challenge for the region will be to manage the anticipated increase in visitors sustainably. Protecting the fragile ecosystems of the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area will be paramount to ensure its wonders can be enjoyed for generations to come, preserving the very beauty that brought ‘Home and Away’ to its shores.
