Queensland Election: Full coverage

Pirates, mermaids and magic have all featured in the LNP's pitch for Queensland tourism, so long as you use a bit of imagination.

Premier Campbell Newman and Arts Minister Ian Walker on the Gold Coast set of mermaid show Mako Mermaids. Credit:Jorge Branco

Premier Campbell Newman leaned heavily on the Gold Coast's entertainment industry on Tuesday, taking journalists to sets from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and internationally broadcast children's show Mako Mermaids.

But visions of pirates, ghosts and maybe even a glimpse of Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp were quickly dashed on arriving at what was essentially a huge construction site.