Looking across the Tweed River to Mount Warning in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales, Australia, you could think you were in Hawaii or a remote and beautiful part of hot balmy Asia, surrounded by cane fields, winding rivers, tropical rainforest and spectacular beaches.
Ten minutes down the road, you could be in rural England, Europe or North America, enveloped by tree-lined roads and quaint villages as you navigate through long stretches of farmland and green rolling hills.
The Northern Rivers is a stunning fusion of dramatic tropical coastal and rainforest locations: lush green valleys, rivers and creeks, towering forests, sun-drenched cane fields, plantations and mountains. The region boasts accessible private jungles, spectacular beaches and the world’s second largest extinct volcano – the soaring Mount Warning. All this with abundant accommodation in nearby towns offering an enviable lifestyle.
PAST PRODUCTIONS
High-profile productions that have shot in the Northern Rivers include: Aquaman, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Nim’s Island, Return to Nim’s Island, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (UK & Germany) and NBC’s Camp. The region is currently home to the reboot of the enormously popular, multi award-winning 90s television drama SeaChange, currently in production with ITV Studios Australia, starring Sigrid Thornton.
THE LARGEST REGIONAL CREW BASE IN AUSTRALIA
One of the most breathtaking parts of the state, the region is also home to the largest regional crew base in Australia. Like many who visit or work in the Northern Rivers area, if they can stay, they do. Local resident and blockbuster megastar Chris Hemsworth would agree.
LOCATIONS: ASIA – EUROPE – NORTH AMERICA
The Northern Rivers offers spectacular and diverse locations including:
- Private tropical jungles & dramatic rainforests
- Pristine beaches & rugged rocky coastlines
- Scenic lakes & wide rivers
- Mountains & rolling green hills
- Deserted rural roads & busy highways
- Quaint hinterland villages & contemporary urban buildings
- Palm tree-lined streetscapes & eclectic architecture
- Coffee & macadamia plantations
- Sun-drenched cane fields & lush farmlands
- Hidden waterholes & towering waterfalls
- Majestic Mount Warning – the second largest extinct volcano in the world
- Cape Byron Lighthouse
Reel Scout Images:
Location images of the Northern Rivers and Sydney, and other regions of New South Wales are available at: www.screen.nsw.gov.au/reel-scout and on the free Create NSW Film Scout iPhone app on iTunes
New South Wales Locations Reel:
Click below to view additional and spectacular images from NSW:
FACILITIES
Studios:
Fox Studios Australia is located 10 minutes from downtown Sydney, a 90-minute flight from the Northern Rivers Region.
Village Roadshow Studios are located ~ 40 minutes north of the Tweed Valley.
Accommodation:
As a popular destination for filmmakers, residents and tourists alike, there is an abundant and diverse range of accommodation options in the region for cast and crew, including the areas of Byron Bay and Ballina.
Regional Film Office, Screenworks:
Northern Rivers-based Screenworks is available to support your production with advice on locations, accommodation, location scouts, crew and all filming matters.
The Screenworks’ website provides a portal to keyword searchable Reel Scout image gallery, and other valuable information: www.screenworks.com.au
E: [email protected]
T: +61 2 6681 1188
GETTING to the NORTHERN RIVERS
The Northern Rivers is the most north-easterly region of New South Wales, 370 miles (590 kilometres) north of the State capital, Sydney.
By plane: There are many flights daily from Sydney (1.5 hrs) into Ballina Airport, just 30 minutes south of Byron Bay, and the Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta, QLD), which is just minutes from the northern gateway into the Northern Rivers. Two additional airports (Lismore and Grafton) service the area.
By car: The Northern Rivers’ northern border is an easy drive from Coolangatta (20 minutes), Brisbane (1.5 hrs); and Sydney to Byron Bay is 8.5 hours.
FOR INFORMATION ON FILMING IN NEW SOUTH WALES:
For assistance on locations, technical and creative talent, studio space, post-production, visual effects facilities and any other aspect of filming, contact:
Create NSW’s Screen Destination Attraction team:
[email protected] or + 61 2 8289-6443.