Lights, camera, action – famous film sets around the region
Look, we’re not Hollywood, but over the years we’ve come pretty close. Our rugged landscapes, wide-open roads and heritage townships have made for compelling backdrops in many a blockbuster movie. The stories captured in our region are varied, ranging from rock ‘n roll vampires through to tales about desolate dystopian futures; motorbike riding demon vigilantes to outlaw bushrangers. Here are five movies you may be surprised to learn were filmed in Greater Geelong.
Queen of the Damned (2002)
Starring: Aaliyah, Stuart Townsend
Film location: Wyndham Quarry Werribee
The sound of a nu-metal band rocking out has roused the vampire Lestat from his slumber. He decides to take over the band as their lead singer. Wyndham Quarry in Werribee filled in as California’s Death Valley in this iconic scene depicting the vampire Lestat serenading his legion of fans.
Mad Max (1979)
Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne
Film Location: Little River
Various locations across the quiet rural township of Little River provided the perfect location for Australian dystopia action film Mad Max.
The Dress Maker (2015)
Starring: Kate Winsley, Liam Hemsworth
Film Location: You Yangs, Little River
A successful dressmaker, accused of murder as a child, returns to her small hometown in rural Australia to take revenge on the locals who did her wrong. The Dressmaker has been billed as one of the country’s highest-grossing films and much of it was shot in Little River and the You Yangs.
Ned Kelly (2003)
Starring: Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, Naomi Watts
Film Location: Little River Earth Sanctuary, Mount Rothwell
The dramatic retelling of Australia’s most infamous outlaw, Ned Kelly, was mostly shot at the Little River Earth Sanctuary. The sanctuary boasts Victoria’s largest feral predator-free ecosystem in the state.
Ghost Rider
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes
Film Location: Geelong Ring Road, Little River, Lara
Nicholas Cage plays motorcycle stuntman Johnny Blaze who transforms into a fiery dealer of justice whenever evil rears its ugly head. Although the film is set in Texas, the majority of it was filmed in Victoria, with scenes filmed around Little River and Lara.
