The perfect location for a variety of filming projects

  • Tropical jungles and dramatic rainforests

  • Quaint villages and contemporary buildings

  • Deserted rural roads and busy highways

  • Everyday streetscapes & eclectic architecture

  • Pristine beaches, beautiful coastlines and inland waterways and rivers

  • Mountain ranges and rolling green hills

  • Coffee and macadamia plantations

  • Sun-drenched cane fields & lush cattle farms

  • Hidden waterholes and towering waterfalls

  • The second largest extinct volcano – Mt. Warning

  • The iconic Cape Byron with its landmark lighthouse

View Locations Database

Fingal Head – Image: David Magahy

Easy Access

The Northern Rivers is serviced by four airports. It is located a one-hour flight from Sydney, a two-hour drive south from Brisbane and are right next door to the Gold Coast with its world class film production facilities.

Industry support & skilled crew

The region is well known as a hotspot for skilled film professionals, with numerous facilities, infrastructure and support services also available. Screenworks can help source what you need.

Filmed in Northern Rivers

This unbeatable combination of skills, talent, locations and services has facilitated numerous productions and including: Nine Perfect Strangers (HULU), Sweet River (Netflix), Eden (Stan), Pirates of the Carribean, Aquaman, The Gods of Wheat Street, SeaChange and Deadlock.

Contact the Screenworks team for all filming enquiries.

We’ll provide advice about filming in the region, connect you with professional screen practitioners, discuss local council requirements and put you in contact with the film liaison officer for each local government authority.

Explore the area

Byron Shire

The Byron Shire is a wonderful location, with coastal and hinterland diversity.

Locations include villages and hamlets, pristine beaches and estuaries, rivers, sub-tropical rainforest, agricultural farms producing coffee, macadamia nuts, blueberries, bananas and many other products. The Shire features a ridge-line approximately 2 – 5kms from the beach which provides an amazing backdrop of spectacular views over the coast. The Shire is also the centre of an area where there are many interesting locations as filming alternatives including tourist attractions, farming communities, coastal townships and lush countryside views.

Council: www.byron.nsw.gov.au
Tourism: www.visitbyronbay.com

Tweed Shire

The green coast meets the Gold Coast.

Natural environment where tropic temperate zones overlap; accessible lakes, creeks and rivers; unspoiled surf beaches south to Byron Bay. Rural valley surrounded by volcanic ranges containing three World Heritage parks. Shares a major regional airport with the adjacent Gold Coast. Only 40 minutes to Movie World; 75 minutes to Brisbane. All accommodation, transport, services. Modern urban areas, historic villages, heritage and scenic landscapes. Experienced with requirements of film and television productions.

Council: www.tweed.nsw.gov.au
Tourism: www.destinationtweed.com.au

  • The Gold Coast Airport at Coolangata is the starting point for a journey into the beautiful unspoilt Tweed area, just a few minutes away. Be seduced by stylish new resorts, great restaurants and bars combined with stretches of long, sandy beaches. Get out and explore the hinterland along the Rainforest Way, a scenic touring route that winds though national parks, rainforests, rivers and heritage towns.

Ballina

Located in the Northern Rivers region on the far north coast with lush tropical rainforests, 32kms of pristine sandy beaches and crystal clear waterways, endless streams, lakes and estuaries, waterfalls and the vast reaches of the Richmond River, the Ballina Coast and Hinterland is truly a natural wonder. There are a number of breathtaking headland lookouts and coastal walkways that have been used in a variety of filming productions and there is easy access to Seven Mile Beach and South Ballina Beach to capture the perfect beach shot. Away from the coast, our hinterland is dotted with charming historical villages, lush rolling hills, rainforests and majestic valleys surrounded by farmland reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside. One hour drive south of the Gold Coast, two-hour drive south of Brisbane. Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport has daily flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle.

Council: www.ballina.nsw.gov.au
Tourism: www.discoverballina.com.au

  • Ballina Airport is the gateway to Ballina and Byron shires. Ballina is situated on the coast and at the mouth of the Richmond River, while Byron Bay is 30 minutes’ drive north past stunning beaches and headlands.

Lismore

Lismore is the heart of the colourful Northern Rivers region, and known for its diverse community and outstanding natural beauty.

The city is located within rich farmland and is flanked by beautiful beaches and ancient rainforests. It is just 45 minutes from the world-famous holiday destination Byron Bay, 30 minutes from the world-famous alternative lifestyle capital Nimbin and a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane. Lismore is home to a diverse range of people from all walks of life and has a character that is vibrant and individual. The region is more broadly known as the Rainbow Region in honour of its diversity.

Council: www.lismore.nsw.gov.au
Tourism: www.visitlismore.com.au

  • Rex and Lismore Regional Airport will treat you to the best in country hospitality and facilities on your next trip to the Far North Coast. From the time you board one of Rex’s 52 weekly flights between Sydney and Lismore until you’re sipping gourmet coffee in the airconditioned terminal, everything will be just perfect

Clarence Valley

We’re passionate about our local area. Yes, we’ve got it all, from pristine beaches to country vistas, historic towns to contemporary coastal villages. And we know there are plenty of locations for you to get that hero shot. Just like other destinations, we think ours is the best and the most beautiful. So if you want what the others have – that’s great…but we’re maybe just what you need. Clarence Valley Council welcomes filming and our helpful team has plenty of local knowledge to assist and guide your production no matter how big or small. Check out the Clarence Valley area ‘Look Book’

Council: www.clarence.nsw.gov.au
Tourism: www.myclarencevalley.com

  • The Clarence Valley Regional Airport is located approximately 15 kms from Grafton. Regional Express (REX) operates multiple daily flights between Grafton and Sydney via Taree.

Richmond Valley

The Richmond Valley region is very diverse, extending from the Pacific Ocean at Evans Head through to the World Heritage Listed National Parks of the Border and Richmond Ranges. Generally, though it consists of rural and agricultural scenery nestled along the Richmond River Valley. The bustling regional centre of Casino services the region.

The Richmond Valley region is very diverse, extending from the Pacific Ocean at Evans Head through to the World Heritage Listed National Parks of the Border and Richmond Ranges. The majority of the valley consists of rural and agricultural scenery nestled along the Richmond River Valley. We have many little villages ranging from 400 people up to 3,00. The bustling regional centre of Casino services the region.

Council: www.richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au
Tourism: www.visitrichmondvalley.com.au

Kyogle

Kyogle Council local government area (LGA) has an area of approximately 3590 sq.km of exceptional natural beauty characterised by fertile agricultural valleys surrounded by forested hills and mountain ranges. It encompasses 3 World Heritage areas broken up into consisting of 10 World Heritage sites found in 5 National Parks (Border Ranges, Mallanganee, Toonumbar, Richmond Range and Yabbra National Parks) and 12 State Forests. The land is the traditional lands of the Bundjalung and Githabul peoples. Significant peaks include Mount Lindesay (approx. 1135 metres in height), Bar Mountain, Haystack Mountain and Edinburgh Castle. The Clarence and Richmond Rivers begin in and flow through the LGA; the upper Clarence River includes very rugged gorge country and World War 2 tank traps. Villages within the LGA include Kyogle- Situated at the foot of Fairymount on the banks of the Richmond River with a population of approximately 3000 features a largely intact art deco streetscape. Mallanganee- a small village with heritage buildings and streetscape. Woodenbong & Bonalbo- Two traditional rural villages. Tabulam- Oldest town of north NSW situated at the crossing of the Clarence River. Heritage buildings, longest de Burgh truss bridge in Australia (Bruxner Highway bridge).

Council: www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au
Tourism: www.visitkyogle.com.au

“I had the privilege of visiting the Northern Rivers region to deliver a masterclass for Screenworks on screen composing. During my time in the region I was introduced to the rich, diverse and talented film-making industry the region has to offer. Spanning all the way from the unique perspectives of the film makers in all areas of production and post-production, to the world class facilities available. The opportunities that Screenworks provides to enrich this industry are a big part of this active, creative and unique, cultural screen hub.”

Caitlin Yeo

Screen Composer

For questions and advice contact the Screenworks team.

We’ll connect you with the relevant people and provide access to materials to support your screen business development.