All the locations where Boy Swallows Universe was filmed
After Boy Swallows Universe (almost) swept the Logies, Trent Dalton thanked Brisbane. Today we look back on every filming location.
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Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe, adapted from Trent Dalton’s best-selling novel, has swept the Logies overnight, taking home the gongs for Best Miniseries, with a Best Lead Actor in a Drama win for its young star Felix Cameron, Best Supporting Actor for Bryan Brown, and Best Supporting Actress for Sophie Wilde.
The show, which was filmed entirely in Queensland’s southeast corner, invites viewers into a world where the city’s locales become characters in their own right, showcasing some of Brisbane’s key landmarks.
Starring Travis Fimmel, Phoebe Tonkin, Simon Baker, and Bryan Brown, the series tells the story of Eli Bell, a boy navigating the challenges of growing up amid family complexities and criminal intrigue in suburban Brisbane in the mid to late ‘80s.
Garnering over 3.6 million views worldwide within its first week and receiving universal acclaim following its release on January 11, the series has elevated Brisbane’s status on the global stage.
Here is a full list of the filming locations across South East Queensland that brought Boy Swallows Universe to life:
Beenleigh: The central hub of the series was filmed here, featuring scenes at the main blue house on Cameron Street, Beenleigh State School, and the Denture Clinic on James Street, doubling as the Roxley Movie Theatre.
Beenleigh Aquatic Centre: The inside of the Beenleigh Aquatic Centre featured in the ‘closed pool’ scene in Episode 2.
Hemmant: Parts of the series that weren’t filmed on-sites were filmed at the Screen Queensland Studios in Hemmant.
Scenes at Teddy’s house, in Episode 6, were filmed on location on Ragnor St, Hemmant.
Stones Corner: The Stones Corner Freemason’s building (now demolished) served as the location for The Courier-Mail office.
Darra: The restaurant scenes in Episode 2 were shot at Darra’s Que Huong restaurant.
Dalby: The heritage-listed Jimbour House featured in Episode 7 as the sandstone mega mansion belonging to Tytus Broz.
East Brisbane: The park scenes in Episode 7 was filmed at Mowbray Park in East Brisbane.
Pinkenba: A number of scenes were filmed in Pinkenba, including the site of the Darra cement works and the scene where brothers Gus and Eli are walking to school.
The scene of the boys taking the bus together was filmed on Serpentine Rd, while the scene where Lyle and Eli sell drugs to a neo-Nazi group was filmed in the abandoned Pinkenba State School.
Camp Hill: Regina Caeli Catholic Church was featured in Episode 5, during the funeral scene.
Doomben: The train scenes in Episode 6 were filmed at Doomben Station.
The Tivoli: The strip club scene in Episode 4 is understood to have been filmed in the Fortitude Valley music venue.
St Lucia: The front of the police headquarters was shot at Emmanuel College at the University of Queensland.
Spring Hill: The scene in Episode 3 where Eli escapes the hospital was filmed on Warren St, Spring Hill.
Sunnybank: The school scenes in Episodes 1 and 2 were filmed at Sunnybank High School and Darren Dang’s house, which featured in Episode 5, was also shot on location in Sunnybank.
Mudjimba Beach: The beach scenes featured in Episode 6 were shot at Mudjimba beach.
Jacobs Well: Locations in Jacobs Well were used for the cane fields scenes, the alpaca shed scene and the fishing scene with Slim Halliday in Episode 4.
Wavell Heights: The location of Robert Bell’s ‘green and white house’ is on Thornton Pde, Wavell Heights.
Karawatha Quarry: The quarry inside Karawatha Forest Park on Illaweena St near Calamvale and Parkinson was used for the dramatic scene where Robert’s car was driven off a cliff.
Annerley Arcade: A scene where the main protagonists spot a red dress in the window was filmed at the Annerley Arcade.
Greenslopes: Several scenes were filmed at the Greenslopes Bowls Club as well as around the club on the paths near Ekibin Park.
Chelmer: The white coloured house on Victoria Ave was featured in Episode 2 during the family’s quest for a used Atari.
Moorooka: The fruit factory scene where Eli gets into a truck to sneak into prison was filmed in Moorooka.
Pacific Motorway underpass: The Logan River Red Bridge and Pacific Motorway underpass featured in Episode 1 as Eli and Gus take a shortcut to walk to school.
Murrarie: The marina scene was filmed at Murrarie.
Redcliffe: Several of the water scenes, as well as the one of the ‘drop-off’ locations with the coolite esky, were at Redcliffe.
Kangaroo Point: The Story Bridge was showcased during a pursuit scene in Episode 7.
Bracken Ridge: Trent Dalton’s real childhood home in Bracken Ridge featured in the series.
Brisbane City: Brisbane City Hall, its clock tower, Adelaide Street, and King George Square were all locations used for filming in Episode 7 during Gus’ Queensland Champions award ceremony.
Herston: The Ballymore Stadium and the Royal Brisbane Hospital featured in several scenes in the show.
Jandowae: The front of Exchange Hotel is briefly featured.
Yeronga: The Paint Factory at 115 Hyde Rd, Yeronga was used as the location for the prosthetics factory in Episode 2.
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