Hollywood stars seeking refuge and a place to work during the coronavirus pandemic provided plenty of glamour and an economic boost to Queensland.
But seeing American actors Tom Hanks, George Clooney and Julia Roberts arrive wasn't a thrill for avid Gold Coast plane spotter, Matthew Coughran.
He was more interested in their planes.
"The plane itself is the most important part. We're aircraft paparazzi."
John Travolta not the one he wants
In 2002, Mr Coughran saw actor and keen pilot John Travolta touchdown in Sydney.
"I got a photo of him getting out of the plane but he was kind of an obstruction of the plane," he said.
The 31-year-old has been an avid plane spotter since he was just six years old, inspired by his grandfather who was in the air force.
Now, his mother shares his passion.
"I absolutely love coming out here to Gold Coast Airport and getting all the domestic and international arrivals," Mr Coughran said.
More domestic and international flights are slowly returning to the airport as COVID restrictions ease.
"For a period we had no aircraft coming into Gold Coast Airport, so it was very difficult and hard.
"The planes flying over you, it's a completely different feeling and experience.
"It's always been a goal to get every registration of every aircraft."
Apart from Hollywood heavyweights, a visit by the Malaysian royal family and its colourful aircraft had plane spotters out in force.
"That was a pretty cool arrival."
Gold Coast goes global
Along with friends, Mr Coughran recently launched SydSquad, a live plane spotting feed on social media.
"I did Brisbane on Australia Day and did the Gold Coast on Saturday. We're averaging 500 to 1,000 viewers each time and it's fun.
"We had Americans, Canadians, we even had someone from Uganda, which I found pretty cool.
"I'm glad I can show off the Gold Coast."
Top of his plane wish list is a one of a kind.
Built in the 1980s, the Antonov An-225 is the heaviest aircraft ever built with the largest wingspan.
"It's a six engine aircraft [and] there's only one in the world. It flies all around the world carrying cargo."
