News| Jan 21, 2022

Australia: sun, sand, surf … and snow? Yes, you read that correctly! In Victoria, Australia’s most southern mainland state, snow falls across its alpine regions in July and August, offering filmmakers a variety of dramatic winter landscapes from white-capped peaks to natural mountain streams.

Victoria’s high country is one of the only places in Australia with a continental climate of cool summers and cold, snowy winters more commonly experienced in the northern hemisphere.

Falls Creek. Photo Iso100 Photography/TNE. Image: Visit Victoria

The snowfields of Lake Mountain are the closest to a major city in Australia, located a 2-hours’ drive from downtown Melbourne.

Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, Lake Mountain, Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buffalo, Mount Buller and Dinner Plain are also accessible for filming, with chalet accommodation for cast and crew available in villages on the mountains or in the picturesque nearby towns of Marysville and Bright.

Accommodation at Dinner Plain. Photo Julian Kingma. Image Visit Victoria.

Most of Victoria’s alpine regions are in the Alpine Shire, whose local council welcomes the opportunity to work with filmmakers and producers to showcase their region with the rest of the world.

“The Alpine Shire is home to breath-taking Victorian landscapes, encompassing everything from our quaint townships in rolling valleys to spectacular vistas across snow-capped mountains.”

Alpine Shire Mayor Sarah Nicholas

Mount Hotham. Photo Rob Blackburn. Image Visit Victoria

Film Victoria has a Regional Location Assistance Fund to support filmmakers with the costs associated with locating productions outside of Melbourne.

The producers behind True History of the Kelly Gang, which stars Russell Crowe, took advantage of the grant to accommodate the film’s cast and crew at Lake Mountain Resort, where Location Manager John Greene said, “management and staff were absolutely fantastic and assisted with all of our requests”. 

Lake Mountain Resort. Photo Rob Blackburn. Image Visit Victoria

“Whether you’re at the foot of the Victorian Alpine region or on top of a mountain, it offers the most scenic wild, snow-covered back country.
And, of course, when its summer in the northern hemisphere, its winter in Australia.”

Location Manager Stephen Brett

Scroll down to see more of what Victoria’s magnificent alpine regions have to offer or visit Film Victoria’s Locations Gallery.

Mount Hotham

Mount Hotham. Photo Rob Blackburn. Image Visit Victoria
Mount Hotham. Photo Stephen Brett. Mount Hotham, Ain Raadik Photography. Image Visit Victoria
Mount Hotham. Photo Stephen Brett
Mount Hotham. Photo Stephen Brett

Falls Creek

Falls Creek. Photo Stephen Brett
Falls Creek. Photos Stephen Brett
Falls Creek. Photo TNE. Image Visit Victoria
Falls Creek. Photos Stephen Brett

Lake Mountain

Scenes from True History of the Kelly Gang, starring Russell Crowe, filmed on Lake Mountain. Photos Ben King
Lake Mountain. Photo John Greene
Lake Mountain. Photo John Greene. Photo Rob Blackburn. Image Visit Victoria

Mount Buller

Mount Buller. Photo Andrew Railton/Mt Buller. Image Visit Victoria
Mount Buller. Photos Andrew Railton/Mt Buller and Jordan Mountain/Mt Buller. Images Visit Victoria

Mount Baw Baw

Road to Mount Baw Baw. Photo Destination Gippsland. Image Visit Victoria
Road to Mount Baw Baw. Photo Destination Gippsland. Image Visit Victoria

Mount Buffalo

Mount Buffalo. Photos Stephen Brett

Whatever your vision, Film Victoria can help you find the right alpine location for your production.

Their friendly and knowledgeable Location and Production Services team can assist with script breakdowns, location scouts and galleries, local budgets, end-to-end logistical advice and location support, and introductions to production partners and experienced crew.

For more information about Film Victoria’s incentives, including the Regional Location Assistance Fund, or filming in Victoria contact:

Joe Brinkmann
Manager, Production Attraction & Support
film.vic.gov.au