Mid-Western Regional Council - Filming in the Region

FILMING 

IN THE REGION 

MUDGEE | GULGONG | RYLSTONE | KANDOS 

FILMING IN THE REGION | MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL 2

Clock tower, Mudgee CBD 

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FILMING IN THE REGION | MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL

Contents 

Mid-Western Region snapshot.................................3 

A vibrant country location...........................................4 

Productions...........................................................................5 

Discover key locations.................................................11 

Permits..................................................................................19 

How to apply.....................................................................20 

Contacts ..............................................................................20 


MID-WESTERN REGION 

SNAPSHOT 

Our region 

The Mid-Western Region is located just over 3 hours from Sydney in Central West NSW. It has a dynamic and 

friendly community and a strong and diverse economic base, providing opportunities for future business 

development and growth. The region also attracts over 691,000 visitors each year to experience local wine, 

food, sporting and cultural events. 

Gulgong 

POPULATION 

25,251 

[MAP TO Mudgee 

BE UPDATED] 

Rylstone 

Kandos 

AREA 

8,752.3km 2 

MAJOR INDUSTRIES 

• Mining 

• Agriculture 

• Construction 

• Retail 

• Tourism 

• Diverse and growing 

economic base 

• Centrally located to Sydney 

and Newcastle and major 

regional centres in NSW 

• Strong transport links – daily 

air and coach services 

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES 

• Skilled workforce 

• Strong business services 

sector 

• Great lifestyle benefits 

• Thriving tourism, arts and 

cultural sectors 

• Adequate water supply 

3 


GETTING HERE 

A vibrant country location 

Drive 

The Mid-Western Region has a bounty on offer for filmmakers. A 

little over three and a half hours from Sydney, it is easily accessible 

and centrally located to other major regional centres including 

Bathurst, Dubbo, Lithgow and Orange. 

The region has diverse filming opportunities, boasting historical 

and environmental features that cannot be found elsewhere for 

film, television and online industries. 

The historical town centres of Mudgee, Gulgong, Kandos and 

Rylstone are ready-made film sets offering quintessential outback 

Australian town features with wide streets, historical architecture, 

character houses, agriculture and beautiful parklands. 

The region offers some of the most stunning locations in Australia 

including rugged mountain ranges, sweeping plains, forests, 

bushland, agricultural land, heritage streetscapes, stately 

homesteads and villages. The region hosts a vast location 

directory to fit any storyline. Potential locations from across the 

region can easily be viewed from the Create NSW Arts Screen & 

Culture website, making it easy to find the location required. 

FROM SYDNEY 

3.5 

HOURS 

FROM NEWCASTLE 

4 

HOURS 

FROM WOLLONGONG 

4 

HOURS 

Accommodation options 

The region offers a variety of accommodation options for large 

and small scale productions. A wide range of accommodation 

is available from camping on location through to 5 star hotel 

and boutique accommodation. For a comprehensive listing of 

accommodation, visit: visitmudgeeregion.com.au 

FROM CANBERRA 

5 

HOURS 

Fly 

FlyPelican connects city-siders with 

a short 50 minute flight to Mudgee 

and operates chartered flights on 

request. For more information visit 

flypelican.com.au 


PRODUCTIONS 

PRODUCTIONS 

Doctor Doctor 

Nine Network, Seasons 1-4 (2016 onwards) 

5 


Love an Aussie Road Trip 

Episodes 2 and 3 – Visit NSW, 2020 

Paul Murray Our Town 

February 2021 


Choose Mudgee Region 

National TV and Online Campaign, 2021 

7 


Women's Weekly 

Special Issue: 'Celebrating Country Australia', September 2019 


McDonald's 

'Bigger Than Us' 

National TV Campaign, 2021 

Destination NSW 

National TV and 

Online Campaign, 2020 

Westfund 

National TV and 

Online Campaign, 2018 

9 


Movie released 2020 




DISCOVER KEY LOCATIONS 


TOWNSHIPS 

Mudgee 

Gulgong 

Mudgee’s name derives from the Wiradjuri Aboriginal 

term 'Moothi' meaning 'nest in the hills'. Mudgee is 

an attractive town of fine old buildings, located in 

the broad, picturesque and fertile Cudgegong River 

Valley. 

Flanked by foothills, Mudgee has a rich pastoral 

history reflected in its heritage streetscapes which 

are wide and tree-lined, just as you would imagine 

a refined country town to look like. The streetscapes 

of colonial public buildings include heritage banks, 

solicitor offices and churches. 

Gulgong boomed in the gold rush era of the late 

1800s and featured on the original ten dollar note. 

Step back in time through the original and narrow 

bent streets with high footpaths in the historic town. 

Gulgong was founded in the gold rush era when an 

estimated 20,000 people flocked to the area. 

The town's heritage listed buildings are complete with 

original features and include such gems as The Prince 

of Wales Opera House, in which Dame Nellie Melba 

once performed. It is the oldest performing arts venue 

still being used for its original intention in Australia. 

Mudgee 

Approximately 

3.5 hrs drive 

Approximately 

30 mins drive 

Gulgong 

Sydney 

Mudgee 

11 


Rylstone 

In the rustic heritage town of Rylstone, via the famous 

Bylong Valley Way, a broad range of features make this 

a filmmaker’s dream location. The district was settled 

in the 1820s, making it one of the oldest settlements 

west of the Great Dividing Range. Rylstone's charming 

19th century photogenic buildings were constructed 

in the Victorian and Interwar period. 

With a wonderful streetscape of 19th century 

sandstone public houses, cottages, and government 

buildings and 1920s era stores. The town also acts as a 

gateway to the World Heritage-listed Wollemi National 

Park and the beautiful Bylong Valley, boasting some of 

the most spectacular natural scenery in the region. 

Kandos 

With a working-class background, Kandos now has a 

quirky underground arts community eager to share 

their creativity. The unique town is nestled at the foot 

of a mountain and at the centre of many Central West 

attractions. 

Once a private village and home to the largest cement 

works in the southern hemisphere, Kandos has a 

strong industrial history and filming locations, making 

it a place like no other. 

Mudgee 

Approximately 


Approximately 


Mudgee 

Rylstone 

Kandos 



NATURAL WONDERS 

The Drip 

Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp) 

Ferntree Gully 

Vineyards in Mudgee 

Putta Bucca Wetlands 

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FILMING IN THE REGION | MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL 

Hands on Rocks

Our region boasts scenic outdoor locations and a wide range of nature experiences taking 

in the unique flora and fauna. From a bird lover’s paradise to Aboriginal rock art, from 

picturesque picnic areas to rewarding bush walks. The natural wonders of our region make 

it so desirable to shoot. 

FROG ROCK 

HANDS ON ROCK 

VINEYARDS 

This unusual granite rock formation 

resembles a crouching frog and 

can be seen on the left hand side of 

the Ulan Cassilis road, 19km north 

of Mudgee, 1.5km past Hadabob 

Road. 

FERNTREE GULLY 

Ferntree Gully is a stunning 

rainforest area 17 kilometres north 

of Rylstone. This natural wonder 

features walking tracks to the top 

edge of the rocks where you can 

view the valley and unusual rock 

formations, ideal for nature shoots. 

GANGUDDY (DUNNS SWAMP) 

Dunns swamp, or Ganguddy as it is 

known to local Aboriginal people, 

is a beautiful, serene waterway on 

the Cudgegong River in Wollemi 

National Park. Ganguddy is a perfect 

location for birdwatching, fishing, 

canoeing and swimming. 

GOULBURN RIVER NATIONAL PARK 

AND THE DRIP 

The Goulburn River National 

Park stretches along 90km of the 

river, with wide, sandy banks and 

forest landscape offering easy 

navigation. It’s an area of significant 

Aboriginal heritage with more than 

300 known sites, located mostly 

along the river. The Drip gorge is a 

spectacular natural wonder of the 

region. 

These stencils of hands were made 

by the Wiradjuri people who lived in 

most of central west of what is now 

New South Wales, and were one of 

the largest of Aboriginal language 

groups. This heritage site is about 

12km east of Ulan and 2km on the 

left hand side past the entrance 

to The Drip. To get there, turn left 

off the Ulan-Cassilis Road at the 

Bobadeen Road sign, turn sharp left 

again, and drive 500 metres to the 

car park. 

MUNGHORN GAP NATURE 

RESERVE 

This reserve is a particularly 

important place for Wiradjuri 

people. The second oldest nature 

reserve in Australia is steeped in 

Aboriginal heritage where striking 

natural rock formations jut from the 

bushland-like ancient ruins. Shoot 

opportunities from the lookout ad 

surrounds. 

PUTTA BUCCA WETLANDS 

Located off Putta Bucca Road just 

north of Mudgee town centre, 

this waterbird paradise exhibits 

a wide range of flora and fauna. 

Easily accessed with a parking area 

and includes an walking track and 

birdhides. This is an ideal shoot 

location for birdwatching, bicycle 

riding and fishing. 

The region has more than 40 

privately operated vineyards. 

WINDAMERE DAM AND 

CUDGEGONG WATERS PARK 

Just 19km south-west of Rylstone 

on the Cudgegong River in the 

Cudgegong Valley, is a perfect 

filming location for fishing, 

watersports, camping and 

caravanning. Windamere Dam also 

offers an accessible road. 

WOLLEMI NATIONAL PARK 

At over 487,000 hectares, Wollemi 

National Park is the second 

largest park in the state behind 

Kosciuszko. World Heritage-listed 

Wollemi National Park offers a 

dramatic setting for scenery from 

scenic canyons, towering cliffs, 

wild rivers and serene forests, 

there are ample opportunities to 

be immersed in the beauty of the 

largest wilderness area in NSW. 

Featuring ideal shooting locations 

for swimming holes, gorges, 

canoeing and camping, just a 

couple of hours north-west of 

Sydney. 



HISTORIC VILLAGES 

Take a road trip to discover the charm of our region’s outlying historic villages. Perfect for a 

quintessential country pub scene, colonial life, capturing heritage streetscapes or film the 

natural beauty and surrounds for a classic road trip. 

BYLONG 

Located 11km from Rylstone, the very picturesque Bylong Valley was first explored by William Lawson in 1822 after 

the discovery of the Goulburn River. Today the Bylong Valley is a lush and green area famous for racehorse and beef 

cattle studs. There is a general store, a school and a public hall. 

HARGRAVES 

Forty kilometres from Mudgee, Hargraves is often referred to as the veteran of the region’s gold towns. The gold rush 

began there in 1851 with the discovery of the famous ‘Kerr’s Hundredweight’, a nugget which contained 1,272 ounces of 

gold. Since the surge of miners that followed this discovery, Hargraves is now a quiet and peaceful village with a general 

store, post office and school. 

15 


LUE 

Lue, pronounced in the Aboriginal language ‘Loo-wee’ is about 20 minutes from Mudgee and is a busy little village 

on the route to the Hunter Region. In the late 1800s, Lue boasted a bakery, hotel, blacksmith, two general stores, a 

product merchant and butcher. Today there’s a popular pub, the unique Lue Pottery and some self-contained and 

farm stay accommodation options. Take the scenic drive to Rylstone from Mudgee via Lue. 

WINDEYER 

Nestled in a beautiful valley 40km south-west of Mudgee, Windeyer is steeped in history. Gold was discovered in 

1851 and during that era it was common for fossickers to yield up to four ounces of gold per pan. The heritage listed 

1911 Windeyer Hotel still operates today, as does a caravan park where you can hire gold panning equipment. Some 

of the world’s best superfine wool comes from this district. 

WOLLAR 

The gateway to the Goulburn River National Park, the village was officially declared in March 1885. 



HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE 

Town Hall Theatre, Mudgee 

Mudgee 

Gulgong 

MUDGEE TOWN HALL THEATRE 

The Mudgee Town Hall Theatre is a multi-functional 

cultural space capable of hosting live theatre, shows, 

balls, meetings, weddings, exhibitions, movie screenings 

and other large events. 

THE STABLES 

The Old Police Stables were built in 1887, and used as 

stabling for police horses. 

It was later acquired by the then Mudgee Shire Council 

and converted from horse stables to the current 

building to support exhibitions and various events. 

Located central to the Mudgee CBD, the Stables complex 

can be a space as a production office or unit base. 

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FILMING IN THE REGION | MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL 

GULGONG MEMORIAL HALL 

Gulgong Memorial Hall is located in Herbert Street, 

close to the centre of the historical town of Gulgong. It 

directly adjoins Anzac Memorial Park and Playground. 

Kandos 

KANDOS HALL 

Kandos Hall is an historical building built in 1954 

and is located near the centre of the town of Kandos. 

The hall offers a large area of open space suitable for 

but not limited to, exhibitions, balls, shows, school 

presentations and weddings scenes.

LANDMARKS 


Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee 

GLEN WILLOW REGIONAL SPORTS STADIUM 

Opened in 2012, the 10,000 capacity stadium is a 

world-class facility hosting international and national 

events. Featuring a 1000-seat undercover grandstand, 

500lux lighting and media and broadcast facilities 

this a fantastic stadium to capture sport on film. 

Home to the NRL Charity Shield, this central stadium 

and surrounding ovals are set against a mountain 

backdrop. 

MUDGEE AIRPORT 

Mudgee Airport is available for film hire located just 

5km north east of Mudgee CBD with a aerodrome 

land area of 95 ha. The main sealed runway length 

(Code 3C) is 1739m and a secondary grass runway 

length (Code 2C) – 1075m. Private aircraft parking 

area available. 

MUDGEE RAILWAY STATION 

Mudgee Station is considered one of the finest country 

stations in NSW, built from 1883 to 1884. The Mudgee 

station is one of the best surviving Victorian stations 

with most of the components intact, surviving from 

the time of opening. The large forecourt is suited to 

shooting historical scenes. 

MUDGEE SHOWGROUND 

The Mudgee Showground an ideal location to shoot 

country fairs, rodeos and equestrian activities. 

The grounds are a country venue for horse enthusiasts 

with stable facilities, a round yard, a dressage arena 

and a large oval to exercise horses. 

RYLSTONE RAILWAY STATION 

Rylstone’s stone village set the perfect backdrop to 

the historical railway station opened in 1884. Wool, 

sheep, cattle, coalmining, wine, olives, tourism and 

cement production were the mainstays of the local 

railway industry. 

RYLSTONE SHOWGROUND 

Nestled on the banks of the Cudgegong River is the 

Rylstone Showground, a quaint country showground 

that boasts plenty of open space, picturesque settings 

and a rodeo arena. 

UNIT BASE 

Unit base locations can be organised with Council for 

crews throughout the region. 


PERMITS 

PERMITS 

Production studios and filmmakers are required to lodge for permission to film and photograph within the 

Mid-Western Region Local Government Area if the shoot involves: 

• The use of a public location 

• Impacts to the community 

in either a public or private 

location 

• Road closures 

• Environmental disruption 

• Traffic regulation or road closure 

• Lighting, including flood lights 

• Use of helicopters 

• Use of drones 

• Night shoots 

• Noise 

• Pollution risk 

• Construction of a temporary 

structure 

• Stunts 

• Pyrotechnics, including the 

lighting of fires 

Please note permits are not required in the case of minor filming eg news and current affair programs, recording 

of private functions. 

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How to apply 

1. GET IN TOUCH 

To film in the Mid-Western Regional Council area, please contact our Communications team who can 

assist you with any filming enquiries. Please contact the Corporate Communications Coordinator via 

email on news@midwestern.nsw.gov.au or phone 6378 2850. 

2. COMPLETE THE FILMING APPLICATION FORM 

The filming application form is for filming on public property, in open spaces and outdoor areas such 

as footpaths, roads and parks within the Mid-Western Regional Council area. 

3. FILMING APPROVALS 

Mid-Western Regional Council has delegated authority to approve film and photographic 

applications on Council owned and managed resources, including local roads, attractions, 

recreation areas, Council buildings and amenities. 

Approvals for use of land governed by other agencies eg RMS, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Forests 

NSW and State Government Infrastructure, is on the onus of the applicant. 

Council has a filming fee if staff assistance is required as part of the production. Please contact the 

Communications team for more information. 

ROAD CLOSURES 

Mid-Western Regional Council is happy to assist with any traffic management requests required for film 

projects. Please speak to our team when applying. 

Contacts 

To enquire or send completed film application forms and supporting documents, please contact: 

Telephone: 02 6378 2850 

By email: news@midwestern.nsw.gov.au 

In person: 86 Market Street, Mudgee NSW 2850 


midwestern.nsw.gov.au 

MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL 

PO Box 156, Mudgee NSW 2850 

86 Market Street MUDGEE 

109 Herbert Street GULGONG 

77 Louee Street RYLSTONE 

Ph: 1300 765 002 or (02) 6378 2850 

Fax: (02) 6378 2815 

email: council@midwestern.nsw.gov.au 

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Mid-Western Regional Council - Filming in the Region

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