Kualoa Ranch – Hawaii’s Hollywood link.
Kualoa Ranch is a 4000-acre cattle ranch located in Oahu, Hawaii. Whilst a working cattle ranch, its claim to fame is it’s a popular tourist attraction due to the fantastic list of films and tv shows filmed within its three valleys. Kaaawa Valley, Kualoa Valley and Hakipuu Valley.
Due to its size and location it’s terrain is so varied, from Mountains, Valleys, Rainforests, beaches. So many of the locations are so familiar. As you look around you begin saying to yourself, I think this was in Jumanji, this hill was definitely in lost. I am sure I saw this part in an episode of Hawaii Five-O.
Kualoa Ranch has been in the same family since 1850 when it was purchased of King Kamehameha III. Over that time it has had an interesting history from cattle to sugar cane, to The military taking control during World War 2 and turning it into Kualoa airfield, and creating military bunkers on the land. To rock festivals, to its most famous claim to fame so far, the film site of the Jurassic Park films, lost, Pearl Harbour, Godzilla, Hawaii Five-O episodes and many more.
If you head to Kualoa Ranch, you can do a vast variety of tours from ATV, horse riding, jungle cruise and the movie tour.
We participated in the movie tour, and it was great to see some of the landmark sites from some of our favourite movies.
We stopped to have a look at one of the military bunkers which have now become a film memorabilia museum.
At the time I was keen to keep moving to the movie sites, but looking back the museum was probably the highlight of the tour, there was more time to read about the movies, and to see all about the film and tv shows filmed there.
It was also great to see the sites once we moved into the valley where many of the Jurassic Park movies were filmed. There were some film sites where there wasn’t anything left there except a plaque showing you what they shot but no other real props. Obviously, they can’t keep much there as they continue to film in the area. However, there are some fantastic sites that are iconic from some favourite movies, the log from Jurassic Park, the footprint from Godzilla and the skull area from Skull Island.
Kualoa Ranch is well worth a visit when you head to Hawaii.
Kualoa Ranch is a great day trip whether you are staying in Honolulu, Ko Olina Bay or anywhere else on the Island of Oahu.
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Wow! Look at those views! Thanks so much for this post – is it okay to be a little bit jealous?
Wow! This place sounds like a place to visit! I’ve never been to Hawaii, but I hope I can visit it some day and so I’m going to add this place to the list of places I have to visit 🙂
Wow. That would be a fantastic place to visit. I always think location shoots are so cool. The Jurassic Park log would be a nice photo op site! I hope I could travel to Oahu and see these places too!
WOW!! That looks like the most amazing place to visit! My kids would go crazy for the Jurassic park, they are obsessed with dinosaurs!
That’s a really interesting place to be at. I have heard about the beaches of Hawaii . But I didn’t about this place at all . Nice place to explore new stuff.
This is one of the most interesting travel articles I’ve read in a while. The history of the ranch is unique in that it still belongs to the same family even though they purchased in in 1850. The fact that all these famous movies were filmed on the Kualoa ranch further enhances its attraction.
I’m sure I’m not the first one to notice that the King’s name sounds like a super power move from Dragon Ball? Anyway, this ranch looks so fun to go around in. Do they allow visitors to wander around?
Oh wow! That bunker looks cool. And how fun you got to see where some of the Jurassic Park movies were shot. Thanks for the write-up
My aunt was born in Hawaii I would love to go there one day! Looks so beautiful in pictures
Your photos do make it look awfully familiar. Movie buffs would love it.
That’s awesome that so many films and TV shows have been made here! I remember seeing a lot of places in Kauai where Jurassic Park was also filmed! #FeetDoTravel
I love the dinosaur skills! I suppose so many films have been made in Hawaii. Makes sense that they have a museum. Very interesting, thanks!
That is super interesting! I’d love to visit this place. Thank you for sharing!
Omg Jurassic Park!!! This makes me want to visit, i love that film and i love nature so this destination sounds perfect!! Plus ive always wanted to go to Hawaii! #FeetDoTravel
Love reading history-filled blog posts! Thank you so much, this was amazing. Would love to explore Hawaii one day!
This looks so cool! I loved the Jurassic Park movies, I would really enjoy seeing some of the movie sets! We’ve been to Hawaii a few times and hope to get back soon, so I’ll add this to my list of things to do!
Wow, amazing views! Super interesting history. If I’m ever in Hawaii, it’s definitely going to be on my list.
I’ve actually never done a movie tour like this, but it seems like it would be so interesting! Especially big pictures like Jurassic Park – that’s just a classic!
This post is awesome. They do film so many great scenes in Hawaii, I’d love to do that movie tour.
Oh wow, love the link to all the films and tv shows! I am a huge Lost fan so that would definitely be an awesome place to geek out and take some photos! Jurassic Park too! Thanks for sharing
We have been to the ranch.. pretty cool to see the locations of the movies, plus the horses at the ranch turns out come from a ranch very near us by Red Deer,Ab Canada… We plan on bringing some friends there in April 2019