Wentworth, Offspring, Prisoner: Huge array of TV shows, movies filmed in Melbourne’s north, west
With gritty alleys, tram lines, historic buildings, sprawling bush tracts and rolling hills, it’s no surprise Melbourne’s north and west have been featured in some of Aussie film and TV’s biggest hits. Here are well-known shows and movies filmed in the area.
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Everything from low-budget independents to Hollywood blockbusters have found a set in Melbourne’s north and west.
Here are some of the iconic locations you can catch a glimpse of while watching.
Prisoner, 1979 – 1986
Long before Netflix success Orange is the New Black, the Aussie cult classic Prisoner set the tone for secure soap operas.
While the main detention centre was in Nunawading, Barnhurst Prison was filmed in Abbotsford parklands and Blackmoor Prison was the ever-popular Spotswood pumping station.
The halfway house known as Driscoll House in the show can be found on the corner of Yarra and Park St, Abbotsford.
Wentworth, 2013 – now
A revival of the smash hit TV series Prisoner, Wentworth is a modern-day drama about prisoner Bea Smith’s rise to the top of the inmate food chain.
The main set of Wentworth is at an old TAFE building in Champion Rd, Newport, having moved from Oakleigh at the start of season four.
A number of scenes have been shot nearby including clips at the Newport Power Station, Newport Lakes Reserve and the Fitzroy Town Hall.
Charlotte’s Web, 2006
The film adaptation of the children’s novel Charlotte’s Web might have been set in Maine, but the rolling hills shown on the big screen actually belonged to Greendale, about 15 minutes from Bacchus Marsh.
Dakota Fanning and pet pig Wilbur made their hay on the sheep farm of Morrocdong, and two American-style barns built for the film can still be seen from the highway.
The fairground scene was shot at the West Heidelberg Football Club oval.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, 2012 – 2015
The popular period drama Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries had three seasons and a movie following glamorous private investigator Phryne Fisher around the streets of 1920s Melbourne.
Scenes were filmed all around the city, but inner-north suburbs provided the backbone of some spectacular shots.
While the interior of Miss Fisher’s house was built at the ABC studio in Elsternwick, its exterior is the historic Wardlow home in Parkville.
Other locations include the iconic Spotswood Pumping Station, Collingwood Town Hall, Carlton Trades Hall, Seaworks Maritime Precinct in Williamstown, and the Kensington Wool Sheds.
Offspring, 2010 – 2017
The show that had Asher Keddie running out of space on her mantelpiece also did wonders for our inner-north.
Centred on obstetrician Nina Proudman, the comedy-drama Offspring was shot almost entirely in and around Fitzroy, and you too can live out the Proudman lifestyle.
Nina’s plant and light-filled three-bedder from season six and seven is for rent on AirBnb, and books out fast.
Also available is the two-bedroom terrace from season one, Fitzroy apartment, and Darcy Proudman’s boutique penthouse.
While living the Proudman lifestyle, make sure to visit Collingwood Leisure Centre to join baby Zoe for some swimming lessons, as well as Carlton Gardens and Edinburgh Gardens, which were also featured on the show.
And of course, stop by St Vincent’s Hospital’s Mercy building at 159 Grey St, East Melbourne to try your hand at obstetrics.
Mad Max, 1979
The Australian post-apocalyptic thriller Mad Max is a cinematic masterpiece, and helped put Mel Gibson and Little River on the map.
Directed by George Miller, many of the car chases were filmed near Little River, while scenes with the Toe Cutter Gang were on the main street of Clunes.
Main Force Patrol causes absolute mayhem on Cherry Lane, Laverton North before returning to their headquarters at our old friend the Spotswood pumping house.
The interior scenes for HQ were at the old Port Melbourne gasworks.
The wreckers seen in the film was Craigieburn Auto Wreckers, which was still there until the late 2000s.
And the iconic final scene with Max, Johnny the boy and his hacksaw is up at the Emu Creek bridge on Gellies Rd, Sunbury.
Blue Heelers, 1994 – 2006
One of the most successful shows in Australian TV history, Blue Heelers followed the police force of fictional town Mount Thomas.
The majority of the external shots in the series came from Williamstown, including Nelson Place as Mount Thomas’ main drag.
The old Williamstown Police Station was used for the Mount Thomas equivalent, and crims just couldn’t stop committing crimes at the Newport railway yards.
Mount Thomas’ younger residents went to school at Williamstown High School, and the Stags Head Hotel, Williamstown was used as the local watering hole.
Other areas of Victoria used in production were Castlemaine, Wyndham and Werribee.
Ghost Rider, 2007
Set in Texas, almost all of Nicolas Cage’s Hollywood blockbuster Ghost Rider was filmed in Melbourne.
We return to Bacchus Marsh to see ‘Johnny Blaze’ at a funfair on The Avenue of Honour, where he does a deal with the devil to save his father.
After young Johnny realises he’s been tricked, he rides of the open roads of the American southwest, also known as Moorabool.
Johnny eventually decides to use powers for good of course, but not before clearing a row of trucks at Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale.
He also makes an appearance at the Newport railway yard for a showdown with his nemesis, Blackheart.
Stingers, 1998 – 2004
Aired around the world, the popular crime drama Stingers followed the deep undercover unit at Victoria Police and frequently visited Abbotsford.
The Terminus Hotel, Victoria St was Peter Church’s favourite drinking spot not far from the Australian Education Union on Trenerry Crescent, which served as the exterior of the police station.
Also featured in the show was St Heliers Chapel, Abbotsford, which served as a psychiatric hospital.
Chopper, 2000
Convicted criminal Mark Read, known as Chopper, grew up in Melbourne’s north and spent time in Coburg’s Pentridge Prison.
It only made sense the Eric Bana-led film would be filmed in the same prison, which is still there but non-operational today.
Underbelly, 2008 – 2013
A cultural classic, season one of the hit Aussie TV show was based on Melbourne’s notorious gangland murders.
Parts of the show were filmed in Essendon, around houses and schools associated with the crime figures.
And other sets took place in North Melbourne, particularly around Errol St.
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Prison cells were dressing rooms at the then Telstra Dome.
The series would return to Melbourne for its final year, focusing on Melbourne gangster Squizzy Taylor.
Filmed in and around Williamstown, the studio had some explaining to do when a sex scene filmed at the Abbotsford Convent was stumbled upon by some unwitting members of the public.
Where the Wild Things Are, 2009
The film version of the beloved children’s book Where the Wild Things Are sends protagonist Max off into the wilderness, to meet the Wild Things.
Max’s home in the movie was filmed on Tobruk Crescent, Williamstown, and had tonnes of snow dumped on it for the snow fort scene.
A range of Victorian locations served as sets for the film, including Bushrangers Bay, Gembrook Forest and Discovery Bay Coastal Park.
The Castle, 1997
Quotable until the end of time, the Aussie film masterpiece The Castle brought us the hit single We’re going to Bonnie Doon and taught everyone the value of a pair of jousting sticks.
Filmed in just 11 days, The Castle was shot mostly in Melbourne.
The Kerrigan house, which in the movie is in Coolaroo, was filmed at Dagonet St, Strathmore.
Airport footage was from both Essendon and Melbourne Airport.
Feel the vibe of Dennis’ office at 720 Sydney Rd.
And if you’re shocked to see a real life Kerrigan’s tow truck driving around, don’t be. The name Kerrigan was chosen so they would borrow the real-life Kerrigan’s tow trucks for the film.
Have we missed something important? Let us know what other scenes you’ve recognised from our best film and television.