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Surfer chic? Simon Baker pairs his longer locks with double denim as he leaves Perth after announcing his directorial debut Breath will be filmed in Western Australia

By Karishma Sarkari for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 06:46 EST, 12 July 2015 | Updated: 07:36 EST, 12 July 2015

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Simon Baker appears to be getting into character as he grows out his blonde locks to play a surfer in his upcoming directorial debut.

The Hollywood heartthrob arrived at Perth Domestic Airport on Sunday, en route to Sydney, sporting longer curly hair than usual and a stubbly beard, along with black plastic frame specs.

The 45-year-old wore a double denim look, pairing black distressed denim jeans with a dark blue cowboy style button down shirt with a black T-Shirt underneath for the cross-country flight.

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Surfer chic: Simon Baker was spotted at Perth Domestic Airport on Sunday, sporting longer than usual curly locks as he gets into character for his upcoming movie Breath, which will also be his directorial debut

Draping his brown suede jacket over one arm, the actor wheeled his black cabin bag beside him with his other hand.

The sports coat was the same one he wore in Friday's press conference to announce the location of his new film.

Simon is set to star, direct and co-produce the adaptation of Tim Winton's novel Breath, which will be shot later this year in the West Australian coastal town of Denmark.

The announcement was a result of a AU$2.3million budget boost from the State Government to secure the picturesque Great Southern region of the state for the backdrop of the film.

Double denim: The Hollywood heartthrob paired boots with skinny jeans and a cowboy style button down shirt for his cross-country flight

Check in: The star made his way home to Sydney after making an announcement on Friday about his new film

The Mentalist star, said he knew instantly it was the perfect place to shoot the movie.

'I’m a gut person,' he explained to The Australian.

'When I drove in to town I felt the place was rich in authenticity, that there were interesting characters and a welcoming community,' he added.

Production is set to boost the region's economy with 100 crew to be on location and another 150 locals employed as actors and extras on the film.

Directorial debut! The Hollywood heartthrob made the announcment on Friday that Breath will be filmed in West Australia's Great Southern region, after receiving AU$2.3 million in government funding

Picturesque: The surfer film will be shot in the West Australian's coastal town of Denmark

'I'm a gut person': Simon says the minute he drove into the town he knew it was the right spot for the movie

Author Tim Winton said in a statement that the sleepy town was the perfect setting for his fictional story to come to life.

'Denmark is a gem of a town with a unique community and it holds a very special place in my heart, so it’s a great pleasure to know it will host the making of Breath,' Tim said.

'I hope it reaps the benefits of having the production based there and that Simon’s film will show the rest of the world what they’re missing,' he added.

'A gem of a town': Tim Winton is equally as pleased his adaptation will be filmed in the coastal town

Boosting the economy: The production is set to employ 100 crew and another 150 locals as actors and extras

Meanwhile, Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said in the statement that the project was an opportunity not to be missed for the local community.

'This state has an experienced screen industry and the international spotlight will well and truly be focused on them with Hollywood actor Simon Baker choosing WA to make his feature film directorial debut,' he said.

Simon Baker first announced his directorial debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

The story is set in a small coastal town in Western Australia and is largely set in the 1970s.

Surfer! No stranger to riding the waves, Simon will play an old reclusive surfer in the film set in the 1970s

It follows two teenage boys who form an unlikely bond with a reclusive old surfer (to be played by Simon) and his strange wife.

'Winton's book beautifully captures the excitement and brutality of growing up in a way I've only experienced but have never been able to articulate,' Simon gushed to Variety in 2009, after securing the rights to the adaptation.

'When I first read Breath, I knew I had to somehow make the film,' he told the magazine.

'The gathering storm of the story, detailed and intimate against the power and scope of the rugged setting, struck me as incredibly cinematic.'I'm beyond excited to be back in Australia realising this dream,' he added.

'Beyond excited'! The actor says he 'beyond excited' to be making his film at home and is set to begin filming the Western Australian based movie in the second half of the year

Behind the camera! It won't be Simon's first time behind the camera, with the Australian actor previously directing episodes of his hit US TV shows The Mentalist and The Guardian

Simon Baker attends photo call for The Mentalist finale

While the star is better known for his work in front of the camera, including his role in The Mentalist and The Devil Wears Prada, it won't be the first time the former Neighbours star gets behind the camera.

He's previously directed episodes of his hit US TV shows The Mentalist and The Guardian.

Simon is also a producer on the film, alongside his The Mentalist producer Mark Johnson and Australian producer Jamie Hilton.

'I knew I had to somehow make the film'! The actor first bought the rights to the big screen adaptation in 2009 after reading the Miles Franklin Award winning book