Return to Paradise on BBC One: All the 'spectacular' filming locations of the cosy crime drama and if Dolphin Cove is real
The crime rate might be high, but the beaches are beautiful...
Return to Paradise is back with a second series, once again bringing sunshine and warmer climes to our grey, autumnal days. But where is the cosy crime set? Here is everything you need to know about the Return to Paradise filming locations.
Just like series 1, the second instalment of the Death in Paradise spin-off show follows London Metropolitan police officer DI Mackenzie Clarke, who has returned home to Australia.
But while Return to Paradise makes the idyllic beaches and warm weather look heavenly, don’t be fooled. Dolphin Cove, where the series is set, is full of murder and criminality.
As Mackenzie navigates her way through the shockingly high crime rate for such a small town, you might be wondering where the show is set and whether Dolphin Cove is a real place. Here is everything you need to know about the Return to Paradise filming locations…
Is Dolphin Cove in Australia a real place?
No, the Return to Paradise production team invented Dolphin Cove as a fictional Australian town.
They filmed both the first and second series of the show at stunning locations across Sydney and the idyllic Illawarra coastal region.
Thankfully the real-life locations also have a much lower crime rate!
Where in Australia is Return to Paradise filmed?
Bilgola Beach is the main Return to Paradise filming location. You will find it on the Northern Beaches in Sydney nestled between Newport and Avalon.
Not only does the idyllic area have beautiful sandy beaches and clear sea perfect for surfing, but there is also a saltwater ocean pool at the southern end of the beach. This is perfect for taking smaller children or for swimmers who like to do laps.
Lloyd Griffith, who plays Detective Senior Constable Colin Cartwright in the Return to Paradise cast says: “One of the main reasons I agreed to join series 2 is the show’s magical locations.
“This show really is a dream come true. It feels like I’m on holiday, even though I’m working. It’s paradise every single day!
“Also, no offence to England, but I’ll take an Australian summer over an English winter any day of the week. I’ve absolutely fallen in love with Australia. It was even worth the small sacrifice of not getting to see my beloved Grimsby Town as much as I’d like to!”
Return to Paradise filming locations: What makes Bilgola Beach so special?
Lloyd specifically loves filming at Bilgola Beach. “I love where the surf club is and the ocean pool beside it. I pinch myself every day. It’s the most unbelievable beach, it’s so unspoilt, people travel from around the world just to visit it. It’s so perfect, so quiet.”
Fans of the series will know that some of the cast have also starred in Australian soap, Home and Away. Not only did Anna Samson (Mackenzie) play Mia Anderson in the daytime show, but Tai Hara (Glenn) also played Andy Barrett between 2013 and 2016.
However, a cast isn’t the only thing that the shows have in common. Bilgola Beach is also on the same stretch of Australian coastline as Palm Beach, the real life location for Home and Away’s fictional Summer Bay.
Return to Paradise filming locations: Where is Mackenzie’s house?
Fans of the show will already know that Mackenzie’s house has the most stunning views across the bay, where she can sit and watch the sun set over the ocean every evening.
Mackenzie’s house is located in Avalon, which is also on the Northern Beaches near Sydney. Avalon tends to be a bit busier than Bilgola Beach but is just as beautiful.
“I love Mackenzie’s incredible house up in the Northern Beaches. What’s difficult is that she doesn’t find any of the landscapes impressive!
“We’ll be shooting something amazing with actual whales breaching in the background, everyone’s losing their minds, the camera crew is scrambling to capture it, and Mackenzie’s just in the middle, completely unimpressed.
“It’s quite a fun acting challenge, pretending not to care about some of the most spectacular coastline in the world.”
Despite the impressive views, Anna admits that she prefers filming on indoor sets: “I also really enjoy shooting in-studio, because everything is more controlled. You don’t have to worry about sudden rain, or worse, a cockatoo drowning out every line.
“Right in front of the police station exterior, there are dozens of cockatoos that just screech. We shoot all the police station interiors in-studio, and those scenes are often the funniest to film because the whole team is there, bringing their silliness, comedy, and quirks.”
Where is Glenn’s lab in Return to Paradise?
Glenn is Dolphin Cove’s resident forensic pathologist and his lab is also located on the beautiful Illawarra coast in Australia.
Tai Hara, who plays Glenn says: “Every time I’m in Glenn’s lab I have to pinch myself. I love the Australian-ness of our show; the language, the people, the characters and the vibe.
“It really highlights our essence as Australians, which is also why it translates so well across the world.”
Read more: Beyond Paradise series 4: everything we know so far about upcoming 2026 episodes
