Where Was “Nine Perfect Strangers” Filmed?

Hulu’s limited miniseries “Nine Perfect Strangers” debuted in 2021, based on a book by the same name by author Liane Moriarty. Starring the legendary Nicole Kidman as Masha Dmitrichenko, the founder of Tranquillum House, the series focuses on nine strangers who are visiting Tranquillum House looking for emotional and spiritual healing. However, they end up getting quite a bit more than they bargained for.

Part of the appeal of the show for many viewers was the beautiful architecture and furnishings that made up Tranquillum House. It led many to ask the question: where was “Nine Perfect Strangers” filmed? We’re here to answer that question today as well as provide a little preview of what’s to come next for the series. So get yourself comfortable, make a smoothie (no, not the kind Masha makes for the guests!), and join us on a little tour of Tranquillum House and Cabrillo, California.

Is Tranquillum House a real place?

As you watch “Nine Perfect Strangers,” the beauty and idyllic scenery of Tranquillum House can almost be distracting. If it weren’t for the utterly gripping plot, we might have spent the whole show wondering to ourselves: where was “Nine Perfect Strangers” filmed?

Byron Bay locations

You also might want to go visit Tranquillum House for yourself! If so, we’ve got good news: the actual spa from the show is Soma, and it’s in Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia. The gorgeous and secluded retreat offers meditation, rounding, and redesign retreats for those who visit. It all promotes mindfulness and offers guests a serene place to relax.

The description on their website almost sounds like something you might hear on the show. In fact, they describe Soma as “a unique sanctuary far from the chaos of everyday life that provides the ideal space for you to enjoy time for renewal and inspiration. This environment, merged with the skilled facilitators and retreat process, will deliver you to a wonderfully enriched state.”

So now you know that Tranquillum House is a real brick-and-mortar location that you can actually visit yourself. Just make sure you look at the price tag before visiting or you might not be able to meditate on much other than your wallet. This exclusive retreat will cost you upwards of $2,000 to $6,000, and that isn’t even including airfare if you happen to be traveling from outside of Australia.

Big Sur locations

You might also be wondering why a show like this would be filmed in Australia as opposed to within the United States. According to an article in Marie Claire, the production actually initially intended to turn one of the many wellness retreats in Big Sur, California into Tranquillum House.

However, their plans were majorly altered due to the unexpected arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. After which, the production moved to Australia (which is actually where the author of “Nine Perfect Strangers,” Liane Moriarty, is originally from). Ironically, the novel takes place in Australia while the show is in the fictional town of Cabrillo, California.

Other notable “Nine Perfect Strangers” filming locations

So now that we have learned about Soma and partly answered the question “Where was ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ filmed?” we can move on to some of the other notable locations that were used in the production. Not all of the Tranquillum House scenes take place in Soma in Byron Bay.

The production had to find some other locations to round out the wellness retreat. In an interview with Architectural Digest, production designer Colin Gibson talks finding Tranquillum House locations. He found Lune de Sang, which is a sustainable lumber plantation in Byron Bay. It also contains similar mid-century furnishings and fig trees to those found at Soma.

This made for easy continuity and helped alleviate some of the supply line issues during the pandemic that would have otherwise slowed down production.

Other scenes that viewers will probably remember are the cliff-diving and river scenes at a scenic waterfall. This also took place near Byron Bay, specifically at Killen Falls in Tintenbar. According to Discover Ballina, this area is quite historic for the region.

From their website: “Killen Falls is home to one of the last standing remnants of the big scrub rainforest. The big scrub rainforest that once blanketed the Northern Rivers before the cedar-getters cleared most of this forest”. Maybe skip the cliff diving if you go, and stick to the observation platform over the falls.

“Nine Perfect Strangers” inspired filming locations

If you were one of the many people asking the question “where was ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ filmed?” you’ve got your answer! We now know that Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia was the primary setting.

While you’re scouring the internet looking for information on the recently announced second season, be sure to hop onto Peerspace. After all, Peerspace is the premier online destination for renting event venues and filming locations. Use the platform to check out some of the amazing filming locations right in your own backyard.

Take, for example, the beautiful Xinu House in Sierra Madre, California. This gorgeous wellness retreat nestled in the mountains can surely achieve the “Nine Perfect Strangers” vibe you’re going for.

Don’t take our word for it, though – check out some of the glowing five-star reviews. Like this one: “Amazing natural light, every room is extremely well styled and a kitchen to die for! This is definitely a fav for us and we will be returning to shoot lots of content here.”

If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, then be sure to stop by Peerspace for all your filming location needs.

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace