Where was Fool's Gold filmed?
2008
City Locations
Brisbane, Australia; Eleuthera, the Bahamas
Location Types
Film Studio, Schools/Colleges, Church/Temple
Location Styles
Beachfront, Boat Style, Bohemian, Colonial, Exotic/Tropical
About Fool's Gold
Andy Tennant's 2008 romantic comedy adventure Fool's Gold, featuring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson in the leading roles, was released on February 8th of that year. It also starred Donald Sutherland and Alexis Dziena as supporting cast members. Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove, Ray Angelic, and Sarah Aubrey are credited with producing the film, while John Claflin, Daniel Zelman, and Dirk Wittenborn wrote it for us to enjoy.
Ben "Finn" Finnegan (McConaughey) is a treasure hunter obsessed with finding the Queen's Dowry, an infamous collection of 40 chests stuffed to the brim with priceless loot and lost at sea in 1715. Though he has dedicated himself entirely to this notorious pursuit, Finn has unintentionally neglected his marriage with Tess (Hudson), whom he loves deeply. Exasperated by the search, Tess is determined to start a new life and work when she takes on Nigel Honeycutt's (Sutherland) luxurious yacht. As Tess begins to savor her newfound freedom and carefree attitude, Finn entices the daring baron and his sophisticated daughter Gemma (Dziena) with promises of finally discovering the long-sought Spanish treasure.
Fool’s Gold received generally mixed reviews from critics and did not fare well at the box office, grossing $110.5 million worldwide on its $70.2 million budget. Nonetheless, this film was nominated for various prestigious awards, such as the Teen Choice Award "Choice Movie: Chick Flick" and the International Film Music Critics Awards "Best Original Score for a Comedy Film."
Fool's Gold Locations
Fool's Gold utilized numerous stunning locations to bring its story to life. Most scenes were filmed in Australia and the Bahamas, featuring popular Queensland hotspots such as Hervey Bay, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Fraser Island, Hamilton Island, and Lizard Island. Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island was also used for some of the more critical sequences, with additional scenes shot at Port Douglas and Batt Reef—the site of the late Steve Irwin's passing.
The backdrop of these regions provides a stunning view of their surrounding landmarks and areas of interest. The white-sand beaches of Queensland are genuinely picturesque, with an array of vibrant coral reefs and luscious tropical forests that make it difficult not to feel awestruck. Meanwhile, in the Bahamas, visitors can explore an abundance of historically significant sites amongst its hospitable islands.
A trip to witness the locations of Fool's Gold would be nothing short of worthwhile for any traveler looking for a unique adventure. There’s plenty to do throughout Australia and the Bahamas, from enjoying spectacular views or learning about local cultures, so why not start planning your journey today?
Divorce scene in Fool's Gold
Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
The scene in the courthouse of Fool’s Gold is a pivotal moment for Finn and Tess. The divorce hearing was filmed at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) administrative buildings in Brisbane, Australia.
QUT traces its origins all the way back to 1849 when it first began as the Brisbane School of Arts. QUT's main campus is situated in the Brisbane CBD alongside four other university campuses making up ‘the Knowledge Precinct’.
To get to this location, catch a train to Central Station from any part of Brisbane and then take either bus or City Cat ferries to Gardens Point Terminal, where the QUT main campus is located. Alternatively, you can drive to Gardens Point Campus via Captain Cook Bridge. Once there, park at the QUT car park, which has short- and long-term options.
Underwater and yacht scenes in Fool's Gold
Village Roadshow Studios, Oxenford, Queensland, Australia
The yacht and underwater scenes take place on a yacht with the protagonists. During dinner on the yacht, both Tess and Finn tell Nigel about the treasure they’re hunting, which was believed to be the Queen's Dowry from Seville’s Archivo de Indias. As such, they decide to embark on an expedition in Florida hoping to find it.
Capturing the picture in all its glory, Village Roadshow Studios, located in Oxenford, Queensland, served as a backdrop for this production. Stages 1,3,5, and 8 were used to capture footage of this movie. The facility consists of six sound stages and various water tanks used to film some underwater scenes for Fool's Gold. It also houses one of Australia's most giant underwater filming tanks, complete with boat wrecks that were utilized to recreate realistic conditions and settings for movies that require them. Since the studios are not accessible to the general public, only people receiving permission from a production can grant access inside. As the studios are privately owned, contacting them directly for entrance into their facilities is necessary.
To get to Village Roadshow Studios, take the M1 heading south from Brisbane Airport, then take exit 69 onto Gaven Way and turn left onto Entertainment Road.
Shallow diving scenes in Fool's Gold
Eleuthera Island, Bahamas
These scenes from Fool's Gold in the Bahamas show Finn and Tess searching for the lost treasure with their Precious Gem boat and accompanied by the owner, multi-millionaire Nigel. In this search, they glimpse an old Spanish galleon, Aurelia, which is a clue to finding the treasure. This scene was acclaimed for its cinematic beauty, with the boats gliding across crystal blue waters, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and dazzling beaches.
Eleuthera is an iconic paradise; its pink-sand beaches, deep blue waters, and diverse wildlife have made it a popular location for many movies. As part of the Bahamas archipelago, this majestic island offers a breathtaking setting that is perfect for diving scenes in films.
For stress-free travel to Eleuthera, hop on a commercial flight.
Finn makes a discovery scene in Fool's Gold
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Australia
In this scene, Tess and Finn begin to discover clues leading to the whereabouts of the Spanish galleon Aurelia in the ocean. This scene was filmed on Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, in Australia. As Tess and Finn take in the magnificent view of Whitehaven Beach, they observe a plethora of discoveries from the ocean. Consequently, their curiosity leads them to an ancient church, where they unearth a long-lost diary detailing its precise location.
Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island in Australia was the backdrop for some of the most important sequences of this movie, and it's no surprise why. Whitehaven is a premier filming location with its stunning purity, crystal-white sands, and lush tropical ambiance that perfectly mimics The Bahamas. It has been documented throughout history as a sought-after location due to its beauty and natural serenity. In recent years, it has become even more popular with travelers seeking an escape from their daily routines.
Travelers can easily access the Whitsundays through two convenient airports, namely Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) and Whitsundays Coast Airport (PPP). The latter is located 25 minutes away from Airlie Beach, while the former lies on Hamilton Island. Alternatively, you can take a helicopter tour directly from Airlie or Hamilton Island to Whitehaven Beach to enjoy its beauty without going through other islands.
Finn and Tess find a logbook scene in Fool's Gold
City Botanic Gardens, 147 Alice St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
This scene in Fool's Gold was filmed at St Mary's Anglican Church in the City Botanic Gardens in Brisbane. The church is an iconic landmark of the city, established in 1873 as a farm for the Moreton Bay penal settlement. In the scene, Finn and Tess follow clues to an old church, where they discover a logbook describing the treasure's location. Later, BiggBunny (Kevin Hart) and his associates take Tess hostage and assume that Finn was killed.
The City Botanic Gardens is famous for its lush greenery and a wide variety of plants, as well as many historical monuments, including the church. The gardens feature beautiful walking tracks and plenty of places to relax and enjoy nature, such as picnic areas, barbeque facilities, playgrounds, and even outdoor yoga classes. They are also home to unique events such as outdoor cinema screenings, markets, and live music performances.
If you want to explore this filming site of Fool's Gold, it's easy to get there. Located at Alice Street in Brisbane City, it is only a 2km journey from Central Station.
Conclusion
On the surface, Fool’s Gold could be seen as little more than an entertaining and light-hearted romp. However, beneath its comedic exterior lies a deeper exploration of family dynamics and the power of love.
The performances from McConaughey and Hudson are both electrifying and sincere. They capture the nuance of their characters’ emotions perfectly, making it easy for viewers to empathize with them throughout their journey. The script also does a great job of weaving humor with depth, creating a unique balance between light-hearted entertainment and serious character development.
It’s also set against a backdrop of some truly spectacular scenery. So if you’re planning an adventure to Australia or the Bahamas, why not check out some of these stunning locations for yourself?