Where Was “Muriel’s Wedding” Filmed?

Love the movie and are wondering: “Where was ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ filmed?”

The film’s memorable plot and its stellar performance by the gifted Toni Collette have solidified its place in cinematic history. But there’s also another aspect that contributes to its enduring allure: the backdrop against which its story unfolds. The beachside resort town of Porpoise Spit plays an integral role in creating the film’s unique atmosphere. In this post, we’ll explain where these filming locations are to answer the question: “Where was ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ filmed?”

At the end of this post, we’ll also outline how easy it is to use Peerspace. It’s the most extensive marketplace on the web for renting spaces by the hour. You can even hire filming locations reminiscent of Porpoise Spit (even if you live nowhere near Australia’s Gold Coast).

What is “Muriel’s Wedding”?

Released in 1994, the movie “Muriel’s Wedding” is a comedy-drama starring Toni Collette as the titular Muriel Heslop. She is a socially inept misfit of a young woman whose cruel and shallow friends mock her for two central personality traits: her passion for ABBA and her dreams of escaping her mundane life by having a fabulous wedding.

As Muriel embarks on a journey of both financial embezzlement and self-discovery, the film blends humor, heartbreak, and triumph in a way that won the movie numerous awards. It also continues to resonate with audiences today. In fact, on the film’s 25th anniversary, Variety went so far as to call Muriel Heslop “ahead of her time.”

Love quirky fish-out-of-water stories? Then check out where they filmed “Schitt’s Creek” next!

Is the town of Porpoise Spit a real place?

The first time you saw the beachy town of Porpoise Spit, you probably wondered, “Where was Muriel’s Wedding filmed? Is Porpoise Spit actually a real town?”

Unfortunately, the answer to your question is no. As its unusual (and frankly goofy) name might suggest, Porpoise Spit is not a real town. However, the larger region where the fictitious town is is Queensland’s Gold Coast. The region is a major tourist area, drawing Australian and international travelers alike, and full of high-rise condos, tourist hotels/resorts, and malls.

According to Variety, they shot the film partially in Coolangatta, the Queensland hometown of the film’s writer and director, P.J. Hogan. He chose this location because much of the film was based on his own life (Muriel’s character is even based on his older sister!) and he wanted to add that extra layer of authenticity and personal relevance.

In addition to many of the movie’s beach scenes, Coolangatta is the setting of the triumphant scene when Muriel and Rhonda leave Porpoise Spit. According to The Courier Mail, “To recreate this scene, drive past the Pines Shopping Centre — don’t forget to shout ‘goodbye mall!’ Then head to Marine Parade and shout ‘goodbye tourists, see you surfies’ as you pass the Ocean Plaza. For the big finale turn down McLean St, go straight through the roundabout and shout ‘goodbye Porpoise Spit’ as you go over Musgrave St hill.”

Although Porpoise Spit isn’t a real place, that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate many of its most iconic moments!

What other locations does “Muriel’s Wedding” feature?

Still have more curiosity about the (multiple) answers to the question “Where was ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ filmed?”

There are quite a few different locations throughout the movie, according to IMDB. We’ll list most of them here rather than discussing each one individually:

• Coolangatta, Queensland:
• Surfers Paradise, Queensland: Another location for quite a few beach scenes
• Tweed Heads, New South Wales: Another location used for the town of Porpoise Spit
• Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland: Hibiscus Island, where Muriel and Rhonda sing ABBA’s “Waterloo” and win the talent competition
• 18 Octavia Street, Narrabeen, Sydney: The Heslop family home
• Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney: “Muriel and Rhonda get jobs in Sydney; Muriel at Videodrama, number 135 and Rhonda in the dry cleaners’ across the street at number 100”
• St Mark’s Anglican Church Darling Point: Where Muriel got married to South African swimmer David Van Arkle (according to Beyond the Movies)

For a visual representation of these and other significant locations used in the film, check out this useful map courtesy of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s Australian Screen website.

Check out how and where to find the best event venues on the Gold Coast here!

Find “Muriel’s Wedding”-inspired production locations on Peerspace

You might be asking “Where was ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ filmed?” because you’re planning a film shoot, photo shoot, or other creative endeavor. Maybe you also need a location that’s comparable to those featured in “Muriel’s Wedding.”

If so, Peerspace can help. It’s the ideal online marketplace for finding venue rentals for rent by the hour. In fact, you can discover tens of thousands of listings, including plenty of locations that’ll remind you of Porpoise Spit!

For instance, if you search Peerspace for production locations in and near the Gold Coast, you’ll get lots of great options. For starters, we’d recommend this Casuarina beachside pad. There’s no question that the Nordic-style open-plan home is a lot more tasteful than most of the places you’ll see in “Muriel’s Wedding”. However, it has the beachy vibes you might be seeking and is only one block from Casuarina Beach. You can even hear the ocean from inside!

Want to search Peerspace for beachy filming locations near you but you’re not near the Gold Coast? No problem! Peerspaces are available across the globe. It’s also easy to specify that you’re looking for listings that have beach access and/or a “coastal/beachy” feel. Simply submit your search wherever you’re located, and click “More filters” at the top of the search results page. Then, check off the boxes next to “Beach” (under “Outdoor Spaces”) and/or “Coastal / Beachy” (under “Style”) to find spaces that suit your needs.

Examples include this designer tropical bungalow on a secluded Malibu, CA beach and this authentic beach house just 150 meters from the sea in East Preston, England. But you can find hundreds of “Muriel’s Wedding”-style listings across the globe on Peerspace.

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace