STARS of Australia’s longest-running TV drama, Neighbours, will pack their bags and exit Ramsay Street for a Tourism Queensland supported adventure that will see Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef region beamed into more than 10 million households around the world.
The breakaway story centres around popular character Kate Ramsay’s holiday escape to laid-back north Queensland hotly pursued by her TV uncle Neighbour Paul Robinson. To spice things up, Kate meets local marine biologist played by rising young star Lincoln Lewis, the son of Queensland rugby league legend, Wally Lewis.
Highlighting a feast of activities available in Tropical North Queensland, such as outings to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and the charming shoreline of Port Douglas, the spin-off holiday story will be filmed on location over five days this month (October) and will air globally over several weeks in February 2012.
Head of Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree, Doug Ryan, has embraced the shoot adding the timing is perfect for North Queensland.
“Neighbours is arguably Australia’s favourite national TV export and is watched by more than 10 million viewers around the globe, including 1.5 million fans in the UK and 450,000 fans here in Australia.
“The timing couldn’t be better. Just as the UK and Northern Europe enter the depths of winter, Neighbours will project vibrant reef scenes, stunning rainforests and the iconic charm of the tropics right into their lounge rooms.”
Mr Ryan said that the shoot could not have been executed without the support of Tourism Queensland and the tourism industry including Executive Retreats who are offering five-star accommodation for the stars, as well as luxury cruises and tropical journeys.
The Queensland storyline will be broadcast in Australia over several weeks in the week commencing 6 February 2012 as part of the prime, sought-after launch of the 2012 ratings year. For the UK audience, this story will begin in the week commencing 27 February 2012, running for several weeks.
