Tucked deep in the center of film history, Faraway Downs—a term that carries the majesty of Baz Luhrmann’s epic narratives—is about to return to our screens. The legendary Luhrmann film “Australia,” which starred Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman among other notables, is revived as the fittingly named Faraway Downs, a six-part miniseries on Hulu. tvacute explores the magic created by this production as we set off on this nostalgic journey, delving into not just the characters and story but also the actual settings that served as the backdrop for this masterful work of cinema.
Where was Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs filmed?
Baz Luhrmann‘s Series Faraway Downs, was shot in a variety of stunning locales that enhanced the realism and depth of the visual experience. The principal sites used for filming are Kimberley, Queensland, Sydney, Darwin, and Kununurra. While the inside sequences of Faraway Downs were painstakingly created in facilities in Brisbane, the external shots perfectly portrayed the rough beauty of Kununurra. Filmmakers were able to create sequences in controlled surroundings at the Post Lounge and Resin studios, which allowed them to effortlessly combine interiors designed in studios with exteriors captured in real life.
Kimberley, Western Australia
Faraway Downs was filmed against the breathtaking backdrop of Kimberley’s vast and untamed landscapes, which provided a dramatic setting for the film’s events. El Questro Wilderness Park in the Kimberley was used to film numerous important outside scenes. Many scenes of ‘Faraway Downs’ feature the concrete causeway of Ivanhoe Crossing, which spans the Ord River, and parts of the Gibb River.
The gardens around Faraway Downs serve as a perfect example of the film’s distinctive fusion of realism and creative flare. Set designer Catherine Martin created these gardens, which reflect the characters’ changes and the story’s broader arc, going from unkempt and dusty to colorful and blooming. The untamed and untamed splendor of this area added to the film’s true portrayal of the Australian outback.
Bowen, Queensland:
The residents of this quaint town actively contributed to the film’s production, helping to bring the story to life. Merle Jochheim also referred to as the ‘Pie Lady’ of Bowen, met Baz Luhrmann by coincidence outside her pie business and ended up becoming sucked into the story of the movie. The village was meticulously set up to evoke the spirit of 1940s Darwin, with elaborate set designs. Pearl Picture Gardens in Bowen, a beach village, was a filming location.
Darwin, Northern Territory:
Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, played a significant role in the movie, particularly as the setting against which the narrative took place during World War II. The cast and crew filmed sequences at Stokes Hill Wharf, 45 Stokes Hill Road, Darwin City. The filmmakers incorporated the spirit of the city into the story while capturing the historical background of the era.
Kununurra, Western Australia:
An important part of the Faraway Downs plot revolved around this isolated town in the country’s far north. The area’s isolated location—Wyndham is the closest town, 62 miles away—provided the genuine, secluded feel that was essential to the story of the movie. The movie’s iconic house was shipped to Kununurra from Sydney in prefabricated parts rather than being built there. A prominent hill in Kununurra called House Roof Hill provides a dramatic background for multiple scenes. It’s also said that several sequences from Faraway Downs were filmed near Kununurra’s Carlton Hill. Its presence gives the scene a more genuine feel and makes it associated with how Faraway Downs is portrayed in movies.
Sydney, New South Wales:
Sydney served as the backdrop for the inside sequences in the movie, even though the external scenes were primarily shot in isolated areas. A large part of ‘Faraway Downs’ was shot in New South Wales, Australia’s east coast. To shoot English scenes, the director and his team went to Camden Council. Camelot, a heritage site, played Lady Sarah Ashley’s English Mansion in the series. Apparently, Darwin Government House sequences were shot around Strickland House at 52 Vaucluse Road. The contrast between Sydney’s metropolitan sophistication and the harsh bush provided depth to the tale and produced a picture that skillfully combined many locations.
After excessive rain in Western Australia destroyed the Faraway Downs house set, the production team traveled to Sydney and recorded many interior sequences at Disney Studios Australia at Building 16, 38 Driver Avenue in Moore Park. The film studio complex has nine sound stages of various sizes, production offices, construction workshops, art department craft shops, dressing rooms, and more, making it a viable production location for various movies. Several Clarence Valley Council locations appear.
Is Faraway Downs (TV Series) Based on a True Story?
