Can we pull you for a chat? Love Island Australia is set to return soon, with our dazzling host Sophie Monk back in action to help a new batch of hopeful singles find love… and maybe win $50,000.
For the uninitiated, Love Island is a reality TV show that places a whole bunch of eligible young singles into the one house together.
They’ll couple up, swap partners, and ultimately try to convince viewers that they are in the best relationship, as the fan-favourite couple are voted ‘winners’.
Why does that matter? Because the winners secure $50k to either keep as a couple or be selfish and ‘steal’ for themselves. So far, this has never happened in any of the versions across the globe – but who knows when someone will go rogue and choose to become the ultimate TV villain?
Love Island’s got drama, cheeky challenges, the occasionally sweet love match and a weirdly intense fascination with water bottles. You could say, it’s got it all.
Forget romance, we just want matching Love Island bottles.
(Image: Nine Network)Traditionally, the show is filmed somewhere luxe like Spain or Fiji, with the gorgeous singles regularly seen sunning themselves in the Love Island Villa. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the show’s contestants will not be scoring an international trip this year.
The show was initially set to film in Port Douglas, Queensland, this year, to retain some of that sunny charm we know and love. However, due to Premiere Anastasia Palaszczuk’s strict border closures the decision has been made to move the show to Northern NSW.
If we’re talking beaches, sunshine and glorious villas in up in Northern NSW, it seemed like Byron Bay would be the obvious choice! The team have confirmed to TV WEEK that Love Island Australia will be filming in Federal, a gorgeous coastal town a short 25-minute drive from the Byron town centre.
“As a result of the current COVID-19 situation and fluctuating border restrictions, we have decided to move the filming location of the upcoming third season of Love Island Australia to Federal, Northern NSW,” ITV Studios Australia CEO & Managing Director, David Mott, has said in a statement.
“This decision has been made with the best interests and safety of all cast and crew involved. We have found a brilliant location and can’t wait to get started.”
Sophie Monk returns as host of Love Island Australia.
(Image: Nine Network)Previously, the Queensland government had proudly spoken of the impact the show would have on the local economy, generating an estimated $8.6 million and creating more than 100 jobs.
In a statement to Nine, NSW Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin, said he was “delighted” that the show has moved into the state.
“This global phenomenon was secured thanks to the NSW Government’s Made in NSW fund and will deliver a substantial economic boost to the regional economy, providing a significant amount of work for local businesses, cast and crew,” he said.
We can’t wait to watch as the contestants descend on the new Love Island Villa in Federal!
Love Island Australia is coming soon to Nine Network.
