From Screen to Stream: Film Locations You Can Paddle To

From Screen to Stream: Paddle the Places Behind 2026’s Biggest Location Stories

Want to turn film tourism into a paddling trip? You’re not alone. Travelers and paddlers tell us the same pain point: great video-first instruction and destination ideas exist, but connecting a screen-worthy filming location to a safe, paddling-accessible route with clear access points and overnight options is hard. This guide maps three high-profile 2025–26 film stories — Empire City (shooting in Melbourne), the Karlovy Vary prizewinner Broken Voices, and the wider Europe shooting trends — to concrete rivers, lakes, and coastal routes you can launch from, paddle through, and camp beside.

Why film-located paddling trips matter in 2026

By late 2025 and into 2026, film production patterns and streaming releases are driving a new wave of film tourism. Productions increasingly shoot outside studio hubs to capture authentic urban and rural textures — and many of those sites are directly accessible by water. For paddlers this is a two-fold opportunity: low-carbon travel to cinematic places, and less-trafficked vantage points to experience the landscapes that appear on screen.

“Screen-driven trips paired with low-impact paddling are a rising travel trend in 2026 — travelers want authenticity, and paddling offers a quiet arrival.”

How to use this guide

1. Pick a film-location cluster (Melbourne/Empire City; Karlovy Vary/Broken Voices; European coastal/horror locales).
2. Choose an itinerary level: day trip, overnight, or multi-day.
3. Follow the practical tips: access points, gear checklist, permit and safety notes.
4. Book local operators or campsites in advance — 2026 productions have increased local permit enforcement.

1) Empire City (Melbourne shoots) — Urban to coastal paddling routes

Production update: Empire City, the hostage-crisis action film led by Gerard Butler and Hayley Atwell, is filming in Melbourne in early 2026. While the film fictionalizes New York’s Clybourn Building, the shoot footprint sits in Melbourne’s inner-city fabric — which is excellent news for paddlers. Melbourne’s waterways let you link urban cinematic streets to sheltered coastal bays.

Why paddle here

Melbourne’s waterways provide vibrant city views, striking industrial backdrops, and sheltered coastal cruising in Port Phillip Bay — all offering cinematic frames similar to what you’ll see on screen. Paddling lets you approach filming sites without the crowds and photograph locations from unique angles.

Top paddling routes and routes mapped to filming zones

• Yarra River — Urban day launch: Launch near Southbank or Fairfield for a mellow urban paddle past Federation Square, Docklands and under the Bolte Bridge. Difficulty: easy; distance options: 5–20 km.
  • Access points: Southbank/Kayak hire zones, Docklands Harbour launches.
  • Why it’s cinematic: river-side architecture and bridges make for dramatic reflections and night-time light shots.
• Maribyrnong River — Industrial-to-green corridor: West of the CBD, the Maribyrnong has low-gradient water and interesting industrial backdrops often used for urban shoots.
  • Access: Footbridges at Docklands/Weekday Boat Ramp
  • Camping: day-trip focus; suburban camping limited — consider caravan parks near Williamstown.
• Port Phillip Bay coastal loop — overnight option: Paddle from St Kilda to Williamstown or Mornington Peninsula coastal stretches for sheltered sea-kayaking with bayside towns for overnight stays.
  • Access points: St Kilda Launches, Brighton, Mornington harbours.
  • Overnight: Use caravan parks and designated campsites on the Mornington Peninsula; wild camping is restricted.
• Gippsland Lakes (extended trip): If you want a multi-day cinematic escape from Melbourne’s urban grit, the Gippsland Lakes (2–3 hours east) offer wide lagoons, reed beds, and coastal sandbars often used in landscape shoots.
  • Launch: Paynesville or Lakes Entrance.
  • Camping: several waterfront campgrounds and low-impact hut stays. Book ahead in summer 2026.

Practical tips — Melbourne (Empire City)

• Best time: Autumn and spring for calm water and stable light. Summer has more boat traffic.
• Hire & guides: Docklands and St Kilda have kayak hire operators and guided ocean-kayaking tours; book at least 48–72 hours out during film festivals and peak tourist seasons.
• Permits & filming zones: Film shoots increase the number of temporary closures and private security around locations — check local council websites and follow on-site signage.
• Safety: For Port Phillip coastal paddling watch wind and tide — fetch and shallow bars can be hazardous. Carry a VHF or satellite comms for extended coastal routes.

2) Broken Voices & Karlovy Vary — Bohemian river routes and spa-town paddling

Production update: Broken Voices, Ondřej Provazník’s debut and Karlovy Vary Film Festival prizewinner, has been picked up by multiple distributors in early 2026. The film’s festival success is renewing international interest in the Karlovy Vary region — a compact hub of spa towns, forested slopes, and the paddlable Ohře (Eger) and Teplá river systems.

Why paddle here

Western Bohemia’s rivers flow past historic spa towns, stone bridges, and medieval castles — ideal for film pilgrims who want slow-moving scenic paddles and nearby cultural stops. The region is less crowded than Prague but rich in cinematic texture.

Recommended routes near Karlovy Vary

• Teplá River loop (near Karlovy Vary): Short, sheltered paddles near Karlovy Vary’s spa center are perfect for morning photo runs. Distance: flexible 5–15 km options.
  • Launch: municipal boat ramps and riverside parks; local outfitters in Karlovy Vary can arrange short rentals.
  • Nearby sites: thermal springs, colonnades, and walking promenades — pair a paddle with a spa visit.
• Ohře River multi-day (Karlovy Vary to Loket and downstream): The Ohře offers longer paddling legs through historic towns like Loket (with its castle), reed-lined sections, and calm pools. Difficulty: easy–moderate; sections are class I with occasional mild current.
  • Suggested itinerary: Karlovy Vary → Loket (day 1), Loket → Sokolov/nearby campsite (day 2).
  • Camping & lodging: Loket has official campgrounds and small pensions; wild camping is restricted — use designated sites.
  • Why it’s cinematic: medieval stone bridges and castle vistas are film-ready for moody, intimate scenes like those celebrated at Karlovy Vary.
• Small-lake paddling and forest ponds: The Bohemian Forest and surrounding hills have glacial ponds and small reservoirs ideal for quiet film-spotting and sunrise shoots.
  • Access: look for state-managed recreation areas and private boat rental spots.

Practical tips — Karlovy Vary & Czech Republic

• Language & operators: Local outfitters often speak English in 2026; still, book through recognized companies or your hotel concierge.
• Regulations: The Czech Republic limits wild camping in many areas — always use marked campsites or obtain permission from landowners. Emergency numbers: 112 in the EU.
• Gear & seasons: Spring to early autumn is prime for calm water. Pack a drysuit or thermal layers for shoulder seasons; inflatable kayaks with good load capacity are popular for multi-day film pilgrimages.
• Combine with film tourism: Time a paddle with the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival or smaller local screenings — small-town screenings often include Q&As and location tours in 2026.

3) European coastal & horror locales — where “Legacy” and similar shoots meet the water

Recent European productions, including horror titles showcased at film markets in early 2026, often favor rugged coasts, reed-fringed estuaries, and tidal inlets. These are perfect for atmospheric paddles — think low-slung light, exposed rock faces, and isolated jetties.

Route ideas inspired by recent shoots

• North Sea and Irish Sea estuaries: Sheltered estuarine runs provide dramatic tide choreography for filmmakers and paddlers alike. Launch from small ports and plan around tides.
• Mediterranean coves & Ligurian inlets: If a production filmed cliffside or coastal village scenes, a protected sea-kayak route lets you approach remote coves used as backdrops.

Practical advice for coastal film-locations paddles

• Tides and currents: Coastal film sites are often chosen for dramatic surf and light — that means you must respect tide windows. Use tide and current planning apps and local knowledge in 2026 model-ready marine apps.
• Low-carbon travel: Combine trains with local kayak rentals to reduce flights — an emerging trend post-2024 that continued into 2026 as travelers prioritize sustainability.
• Photography & drone etiquette: Many film locations have active productions or protected wildlife. If you shoot with drones, follow local rules and production no-fly zones. In 2026, festivals and local authorities are stricter about drone use near shoots.

Actionable planning checklist: turn a film headline into a safe paddle trip

1. Identify the filming footprint. Read production updates and local council notices — many shoots post temporary closure info.
2. Match the landscape to a paddling corridor. Urban shoots = rivers and harbours; spa towns = small rivers and reservoirs; coastal shoots = bays and estuaries.
3. Pick your trip length. Day trip, overnight (campground or B&B), or multi-day expedition with staged loads.
4. Book rentals & permits early. 2026 has increased demand where productions are active — hire operators and official campsites can sell out weeks in advance.
5. Prepare the right gear. Sea kayak or touring canoe for coastal runs; stable recreational kayak or inflatable for calm rivers; PFD, bilge pump, spare paddle, VHF/satellite comms for exposed water.
6. Respect local rules and film crews. Keep distance from active shoots, obey signs, and don’t interfere with set logistics.

Safety, permits, and trust signals

Safety first. Many film locations sit near private property or sensitive habitats. In 2026, production companies and local councils are quicker to file temporary closures. Verify with council websites or local harbours before launching. If in doubt, book a guided option — it’s the fastest way to get correct access info and a legal launch point.

Permit basics

• Urban launches: Some city councils require booking for commercial launches or large groups.
• Parks & reserves: National and state parks generally require permits for commercial filming and sometimes for multi-day backcountry camping.
• Protected areas: Ramsar wetlands, marine sanctuaries, and core wildlife zones often have strict no-launch rules — check before you plan a film-locations run.

Case studies — two itineraries you can actually book

Itinerary A: Empire City urban-coast day + overnight (Melbourne)

• Day 1 morning: Launch Southbank — photograph riverside architecture and the Docklands industrial frames (3–6 km).
• Day 1 afternoon: Paddle across Port Phillip Bay to St Kilda (protected bay crossing) — lunch at St Kilda pier.
• Overnight: Book a bayside B&B in Brighton or Mornington; evening film-screening in Melbourne CBD if timing aligns with local festivals.
• Why it works: Urban-to-bay contrast mirrors cinematic city interiors and coastal escape scenes similar to what film crews capture.

Itinerary B: Broken Voices — Karlovy Vary & Ohře two-day paddle

• Day 1: Morning short paddle on the Teplá through Karlovy Vary’s colonnades; afternoon transfer to Ohře launch near Karlovy Vary.
• Day 2: Paddle Karlovy Vary → Loket (day length 15–25 km depending on put-in and take-out). Stay in Loket; explore castle and film-friendly medieval streets.
• Permits & lodging: Reserve a riverside campground near Loket; hire local guide for river navigation if you’re unfamiliar with Czech waterways.

2026 trends and advanced strategies

Expect more synergy between location scouts and local outdoor operators in 2026. Productions are looking for safe, visually dramatic waterways and, as a result, local paddling businesses increasingly partner with film units — creating new guided “film-locations by kayak” tours in hotspot regions. Advanced paddlers can leverage this by:

• Joining local paddling groups tied to film tourism for insider access.
• Using up-to-date mapping tools (satellite overlays + tide layers) to preview the location before arrival.
• Booking low-impact stays (eco-camps and family-run pensions) that producers prefer for minimal disruption.

Gear & packing checklist for film-inspired paddles

• Appropriate craft: touring sea kayak or stable recreational kayak; inflatable or canoe for flexible travel.
• Safety kit: PFD, bilge pump, spray skirt (if needed), paddle float, whistle.
• Navigation & comms: waterproof map, phone in dry bag, handheld VHF or satellite messenger for offshore/cross-bay legs.
• Photo kit: compact tripod, neutral-density filter for long exposures, waterproof camera or housing.
• Leave-no-trace supplies: pack-out bags, eco-friendly soaps, and designated camp stove.

Final takeaways

Film headlines like Empire City filming in Melbourne and the success of Broken Voices at Karlovy Vary are more than entertainment news — they’re location signals. In 2026, productions are opening compelling water-accessible routes for paddlers who want to combine screen-inspired travel with low-impact exploration. The keys are planning, respecting local rules, and choosing the right route for your skill level.

Ready to plan your film-location paddle?

Start by picking one of the itineraries above and contacting a local hire operator or guide. Want our custom map pack with put-ins, recommended operators, and suggested campgrounds for these film-location routes? Sign up below to download the 2026 Screen-to-Stream paddling maps and a printable checklist tailored to each route.

Join the fleet — turn the screen into a stream.

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