The Boys Are Back

Acclaimed director Scott Hicks also chose South Australia over rival Australian locations to film his 2009 hit The Boys are Back, staring British movie star Clive Owen. The Boys are Back showcases the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula, and the contrast between its dramatic coastline and orderly vineyards.

Opening scene beach - Aldinga Beach
Less than an hour south of Adelaide, Aldinga Beach is one of several magnificent stretches of coast that acts as a favourite weekend getaway for city residents. The opening scene depicts Joe and Artie driving on the beach and Aldinga is one of only a couple of beaches close to Adelaide that have 4WD access.

While in the area…

• Visit the nearby town of Willunga, which was named one of Travel + Leisure's top 50 emerging destinations in 2009
• Enjoy a great catch of fresh seafood at Port Willunga's Star of Greece Café
• Take to the sky for a scenic flight in a vintage Tiger Moth with Adelaide Biplanes

The Warr's house - Myponga Beach
The rolling hills seen on film around Joe and Artie's beautiful house are in reality just as they appear on screen, and are located just over an hour from Adelaide. In summer the dry grass ripples like the ocean in the breeze, while in winter the fields turn a lush green. Just off Myponga Beach is where the Warr's house is located - although it's on private land and was built specifically for the film. Myponga beach is also where the party scenes were filmed.

While in the area…

• Take a drive along Sampson Road to Myponga Beach Road to experience the views showcased in the film (please note than Sampson Road is a dirt road)
• Play at South Australia's best links style golf course - Links Lady Bay at nearby Normanville
• Take a bushwalk through Deep Creek Conservation Park
• Enjoy a locally made beer at the Lovely Valley Beverage Factory

Tom and Barbara's vineyard - McLaren Vale
Tom and Barbara's home and vineyard was shot at Dog Ridge Wines, a real winery in the world renowned McLaren Vale wine region - just 45 minutes south of Adelaide. As well as Dog Ridge, there are plenty of nearby wineries where visitors can taste the local vintage. Try Penny's Hill, D'Arenberg, Coriole, Paxton Wines, Fox Creek or the recently opened Alpha Box & Dice.

While in the area…

• Visit the Willunga Farmers Market for ultra-fresh produce
• Take an art class at Red Poles
• Discover why the wood fired pizza at Russell's attracts visitors from throughout the State
• Stock up on South Australian FruChocs and chocolate covered jelly snakes at the Medlow Confectionary and FruChocs showcase
• Take a food and wine tour with Wine Diva Tours, Rich & Lingering or any of the other operators in the region

Road trip - Crows Nest Lookout, Port Elliot
One of the picturesque locations on Joe and Artie's road trip is near the coastal town of Port Elliot - where Artie first asks Joe for a convertible. Located on the southern side of the Fleurieu Peninsula, 70 minutes from Adelaide, Port Elliot is a quaint seaside town. Overlooking Goolwa, Middleton and Port Elliot, Crows Nest Lookout offers some of the best views in South Australia.

While in the area…

• Dine at the Flying Fish Café on Port Elliot's foreshore
• Visit historic Goolwa - the first town in Australia to be included in the international Cittaslow program for its dedication to local produce
•  While there stay at The Australasian or Birks Harbour and enjoy breakfast at Aquacaf
• See the Little Penguins flock to shore after a hard day of fishing on Granite Island
• Take a swim in the picturesque and secluded Horseshoe Bay at Port Elliot
• In winter spot whales all along the stretch of coast from Middleton to Waitpinga
• Learn to surf with Surf 'n Sun at Middleton

Diving in the bath - Hahndorf
The classic scene in which Joe allows Artie to jump into a bath full of water and bubbles were actually shot in a studio (a purpose built extra-deep bath was built for the scene).
However, the exterior shot of their accommodation, and the interior shots of their bedroom, was shot at the Hahndorf Resort. Hahndorf is Australia's oldest surviving German settlement and there is still a strong German flavour in the town, evident in the Bavarian look of the accommodation shown in the film. Located just 30 minutes east of the city in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf boasts a variety of great attractions, cellar doors and shops.

While in the area…

• Enjoy a decadent chocolate treat at Chocolate @ No 5 in Hahndorf's main street
• Make your own artisan cheeses at Udder Delights in Hahndorf
• Soak up the views and enjoy fine food and wine at The Lane
• Learn the secrets of Asian cooking at Sticky Rice Cooking School in Stirling
• Visit The Cedars - the former home of renowned artists Sir Hans Heysen
• Take a Classic Country Drive through the Adelaide Hills

Joe's office - Adelaide
Clive Owen plays a sports journalist in the film, so it made sense to shoot his work scenes in the office building of Adelaide's major daily newspaper, The Advertiser. The exterior of the distinctive building fronts Waymouth Street in Adelaide's CBD - minutes from the Adelaide Central Market, shopping strip of Rundle Mall and historic North Terrace.

While in the area…

• Enjoy lunch or a coffee at George's or Bistro Dom on Waymouth Street
• Take a breakfast tour of the Adelaide Central Market
• Dine at one of the many cafes and restaurants on multicultural Gouger Street
• Take a tram ride to beachside Glenelg to swim with dolphins, laze on the beach or enjoy some shopping
• Stroll along gorgeous North Terrace and visit the South Australian Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, Botanic Gardens and National Wine Centre
• Visit during one of the city's major events such as the Santos Tour Down Under, Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival, WOMADelaide, Clipsal 500 Adelaide or World Tennis Challenge

Australian Open scenes - Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, Sangria
While Joe travels to Melbourne for the Australian Open, the scenes were actually shot in South Australia. His hotel is the Majestic Roof Garden in Adelaide's east end, while the bar scene in which Joe is injured was filmed at Sangria on Gouger Street.

While in the area…

• Use the Majestic Roof Garden as your base to explore Adelaide's east end - including the shops and restaurants along Rundle and Hutt streets and the Rundle Street markets.
• Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Sangria on Gouger Street before moving next door to Mesa Lunga for tapas or pizza

Other locations…

• IGA Supermarket, 43 Broadway, Glenelg South (supermarket scenes)
• Adelaide Airport (meeting Harry)
• Adelaide Oval, AAMI stadium and Adelaide Aquatic Centre (press box scenes)
• Kangarilla Primary School, Fleurieu Peninsula (Artie's school)
• Flinders Hospital, Adelaide (hospital scene)
• Belair, Adelaide Hills (Digby's house)