Queensland continues to be the place to be with popular reality show, Australian Survivor returning to the Sunshine State, this time heading to North Queensland's Charters Towers, 134 km south-east of Townsville, for Season 7.
Produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Network 10 and supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy, this latest series is expected to deliver $12.6 million for the state's economy and employ 170 Queenslanders.
Series 6 of the series, Australian Survivor: Brains Vs. Brawn was filmed in Cloncurry, generating approximately $14.6 million and 150 local jobs, while relying on local business resources and labour across accommodation, transport, construction, catering and more.
As with series 6, the region's landscapes, history and natural assets will be broadcast to an audience of millions of Australians.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said the state screen agency was thrilled to support the return of Endemol Shine Australia to Queensland.
"In a departure from Survivor's previous tropical island locations of Fiji and Samoa, producers were inspired by the red dirt and wide, blue skies of Queensland's outback, which, alongside our state's competitive screen incentives, sealed the deal on Seasons 6 and now 7," said Ms Munnich.
"It's Screen Queensland's role to actively promote Queensland as a destination for filming, and you can't get a better review for our locations, facilities and crew than an encore season, so soon!"
Ms Munnich added that attracting Australian Survivor into Charters Towers in North Queensland sets the stage for the roll out of the new $4 million North Queensland Regional Program, announced in the state budget in June.
"In addition to maximising North and Far North Queensland as film locations, Screen Queensland will be rolling out a series of talent development initiatives over the next four years, designed to boost the region's overall capacity to attract and create films, series and games," Ms Munnich said.
Endemol Shine Australia Chief Executive Officer, Peter Newman, said before production of Australian Survivor Season 6 the company was incredibly excited to film with Cloncurry as the backdrop.
"We were thrilled with the results, the beauty of the location added so much to the game of Survivor
"Now, for Season 7, we are delighted to remain in Queensland for this next series and travel the show to the equally stunning Charters Towers location," Mr Newman said.
Chief Content Officer & EVP, ViacomCBS Australia & New Zealand, Beverley McGarvey said they can't wait to share this series with fans.
"We're thrilled to bring Australian Survivor back to North Queensland for another unmissable season. The harsh and unwavering conditions of the Australian outback turned the game on its head last season, and the Castaways faced some of the toughest conditions the game has ever seen. We're excited to showcase the rich terrain of Charters Towers, Queensland, to our audiences in Australia and beyond," Ms McGarvey said.
Other productions underway in Queensland currently include: Joe Exotic at Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane; Bluey Season 3; TV series Darby and Joan for Acorn TV; ABC crime series Troppo; and Matchbox Pictures' Irreverent. Upcoming productions include Universal Pictures' Ticket to Paradise, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts and filming in The Whitsundays, and Disney+ series Nautilus filming in 2022.
