Northern Territory Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Northern Territory? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Northern Territory
For an introduction to shooting in Northern Territory see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, premiums, fringes, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Northern Territory Film Locations
The Top End. The Northern Territory is located in the central and central northern regions of Australia. Film locations include the cities of Darwin and Alice Springs, unique rock formations, deserts, rocky plateaus, gorges, lowland plains, monsoon forests, billabongs, wetlands, rivers, and waterfalls.
Agricultural film locations include farms that produce cattle, buffalo, crocodiles, barramundi, prawns, and pearl oysters. The Northern Territory mines uranium, bauxite, manganese, lead, silver, zinc, gold, diamonds, and natural gas. Energy locations include thermal powered plants.
Northern Territory has hosting productions including High Ground (2020), Tracks (2013), Charlie’s Country (2013), Samson and Delilah (2009), Australia (2008), Ten Canoes (2006), The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), Crocodile Dundee (1986), and Walkabout (1971).
Film locations can be divided into basing out of Darwin in the north, and Alice Springs in the south.
Northern Region
Darwin is the largest city and the capital of the Northern Territory. Film locations include the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory, Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, Government House, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin Military Museum, Darwin Aviation Museum, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin Convention Centre, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Crocodylus Park, Mindil Beach, Marrara Sports Complex, Darwin International Airport, and RAAF Base Darwin. Darwin beaches are known to have box jellyfish, and Saltwater crocodiles. Darwin was filmed for Australia (2008), and Walkabout (1971).
Kakadu National Park is a spectacular natural wonder covering an area of 19,804 km2 (7,646 sq mi). The park is known for its rocky plateaus, deep gorges, lowland plains, monsoon forests, billabongs, rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, and a richness of Aboriginal cultural sites. Floodplains fill during the wet season from November to March and everything teems with life. The wet season also sees spectacular lightening storms. During the dry season, from April to October, waters recede into rivers, creeks, and billabongs. Waterfalls of note include Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, and Gunlom Falls. Kakadu’s flora is among the richest in the country with species of note including Koolpin boxes, banyans, mangroves, pandanus, and a diversity of waterlillies. Wildlife of note includes dingoes, antilopine kangaroos, black wallaroos, agile wallabies, and short-eared rock wallabies, northern quolls, black flying foxes, frill-necked lizards, dugongs, saltwater crocodiles, freshwater crocodiles, barramundis, northern bullfrogs, Leichhardt’s grasshoppers, and diversity of birdlife including the Gouldian finch. The park is also known for its magnetic termite mounds. Kakadu is also home to invasion species including brumbies, water buffalos, wild pigs, cane toads. High Ground (2020), and Crocodile Dundee (1986) filmed in Kakadu National Park.
Arnhem Land is a vast wilderness east of Kakadu. The landscape features rugged coastlines, tropical waters, remote islands, rivers teeming with fish, lush rainforests, towering escarpments, savannah woodland, and aboriginal cultural and spiritual sites. Arnhem Space Centre is located in East Arnhem. Arnhem Land was filmed for High Ground (2020), Charlie’s Country (2013), Ten Canoes (2006), and Walkabout (1971).
Litchfield National Park is known for waterfalls, waterholes, vine forests, and magnetic termite mounds. Locations of note include Buley Rockhole, Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, Tjaetaba Falls, Tjaynera Falls, and Surprise Creek Falls. Wildlife includes antilopine kangaroos, agile wallabies, sugar glider, northern brushtail possum, fawn antechinus, black and little red flying foxes and the dingo. The caves near Tolmer Falls are home to a colony of the rare orange leaf-nosed bat and the ghost bat.
Judbarra National Park sits in the transition between the tropical and semi-arid zones. The park is home to a diversity of birdlife.
Tiwi Islands comprise of Melville Island, Bathurst Island, and nine smaller uninhabited islands. The islands are a landscape of eucalypt forest, monsoon vine forest, coastal wetlands, waterfalls and beaches. The Tiwi people inhabit the islands. Wildlife includes Brush-tailed rabbit rats, northern brush-tailed phascogales, false water rats, Carpentarian dunnarts, olive ridley turtles, dugongs, saltwater crocodiles, and a diversity of birdlife including a large colony of crested terns.
Nitmiluk National Park Nitmiluk Gorge (Katherine Gorge) is a spectacular film location. The park is known for its diversity of birdlife. Saltwater crocodiles enter the park in the wet season.
Keep River National Park is known for its sandstone structures and aboriginal rock art.
Limmen National Park is known for its sandstone structures and aboriginal rock art.
Southern Region
Alice Springs is the gateway to film Uluru. Samson and Delilah (2009), The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), and Walkabout (1971).
Larapinta Drive is a spectacular stretch of road.
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is known for Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuṯa (The Olgas), two of Australia’s most iconic natural wonders, and sacred places to the Pitjantjatjara people. Uluru is the world’s largest single rock monolith. The area around Uluru is home to an abundance of springs, waterholes, rock caves, and ancient paintings. Kata Tjuṯa is a group of large, domed rock formations. Wildlife of note includes brushtail possums, red kangaroos, goannas, Perentie lizards, witchetty grubs, and a diversity of bats and birds. Tracks (2013), and Young Einstein (1988) filmed in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.
Watarrka National Park is known for Kings Canyon which is full of rare plants located in a desert canyon setting. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) filmed in Watarrka National Park.
Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) are large granitic boulders located in a desert valley setting, near the town of Tennant Creek. The location is an important cultural and spiritual site to the local aboriginal peoples.
Finke Gorge National Park is known for Palm Valley, which is home to a diverse range rare and unique plant species, including the red cabbage palm.
Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park is known for the Larapinta Trail. Locations of note include Simpsons Gap, Ochre Pits, Standley Chasm, and the permanent waterholes at Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen.
Lake Amadeus is the largest salt lake in the Northern Territory.
Parts of the Tanami Desert, Great Sandy Desert, and Simpon Desert are located in this part of the Northern Territory.
Pine Gap is a major military satellite base for the Australian and US military.
Northern Territory Film Location Permits
Location Permits. Saturday afternoon and Sunday are the best times to film in Darwin’s downtown business district. All other times are much more restricted. Most inner city locations requiring exclusive use of public space require at least 7 days to process permits. Tracking shots and road closures require up to 10 days. Locations outside of major cities are easier to permit. Please contact us for location specific information.
Insurance. It’s also important to note that most locations require proof of public liability insurance of at least $20 million.
When To Shoot?
The tropical north has a monsoonal climate. The dry season runs from October to March with sunny days and low humidity. The wet season runs from November and April with spectacular thunderstorms and high humidity.
The south has a desert climate. Winters from May to October are the dry season with sunny days and low humidity. October to March are very hot and humid. Winters from April to September are hot in the daytime and reach freezing at night.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Parrtjima – A Festival in Light in Alice Springs, in April.
• Taste of Kakadu in Kakadu National Park, in May.
• Barunga Festival in Barunga, in June.
• GARMA Festival in Gulkula Arnhem Land, in July / August.
• Darwin Festival, in August.
• Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, in August.
• Freedom Day Festival in Kalkaringi and Daguragu, in August.
• Henley on Todd Regatta takes place in Alice Springs in August.
• Desert Festival in Alice Springs in September / October.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Australia.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Recent devaluations in the Australian dollar have made filming in Australia a more cost competitive option. Distance is a major expense. Both in terms of getting to Australia as well as getting around Australia (the country is roughly the size of the US Lower 48). Australia is a very well established and sophisticated production centre so factors of production cost accordingly. Post production is one area that remains a cost saving attraction with high quality post 30-40% less expensive than in the US. Ultimately, whatever the project, our locally based fixers and service producers will negotiate deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. Australia offers qualifying co-productions a Producer Offset 40% tax rebate for feature films, and a Producer Offset 30% tax rebate for documentaries, TV series, telemovies, and short form animation. Some states may offer additional production incentives. For more information visit AUSFILM. There are no tax incentives for commercials.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. The Northern Territory has a very small pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers, several being of the highest international standard. Professional and technical crews have had decades of experience servicing long and short-form projects from all over the world. The result is a very deep pool of well trained crew with a great attitude and a world-class reputation.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, stills photographer, or any other film crew for your shoot in the Northern Territory, Australia.
If you are an exceptionally talented Melbourne based director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, or stills photographer, introduce yourself here.
Talent is union and non-union. Talent buyouts are negotiable since the Offshore Agreement expired. For more information about the talent union please visit MEAA.
English is the official language but given Australia’s culturally diverse population, hundreds of other languages are also spoken.
Australia boasts a very large and experienced pool of multicultural talent. The majority of Australians are of European decent. The country’s large population of Asian actors and models makes it a popular destination for visiting productions from Japan, Korea, China and India. Australia also has talent minorities of Pacific Islander and African decent.
Heading outside of the cities, filmmakers and photographers can find a wealth of aboriginal cultures.
Australia also offers unique animals for filming including kangaroos, crocodiles, koalas, wombats, emus, and a wide variety of birds, bugs, and reptiles.
Fringes. Crew are either Company or Pay As You Go (PAYG). If the crew member is Company then they take care of their own superannuation and in some cases, workers compensation. Some crew members with Australian Business Numbers require workers compensation to be paid for them. If crew is PAYG then we must pay an additional 9% superannuation and 3% workers compensation. There is a 6% payroll tax.
Premiums. Australia has an eight hour shooting day, time and a half for the next two hours and double time after that. Shooting after 8:00pm is a 25% loading. Sunday is a 100% loading. The industry is currently campaigning for a 10 hour day.
Northern Territory Film Equipment
Equipment. Australia offers both Panavision and Arri equipment as well as many boutique equipment companies. There is a great depth of standard and more specialised camera gear including digital cameras (Alexa, RED, Sony, Canon), film cameras (16mm and 35mm), high speed cameras (Phantom), Three-axis stabilized heads (Scorpio, Libra), Motion Control, and much more.
Unlike the US system most gear is provided by individual crew. Grip and lighting trucks are privately owned by crew who accompany them to set. Anything required in addition to this is outsourced. Crew charge a rate for the truck and then individually for lights and gripping gear, burn time and labour rates. Australia offers a great variety of standard and specialised grip and lighting gear including cranes (Technocrane, Phoenix, Giraffe), 3D camera rigs, car rigs, tracking vehicles, sea rigs, helicopter mounts, and underwater housing. Companies of note include Panavision, Red Apple, Brownie Grips, and Big Toys.
For productions looking to bring in film equipment, Australia is an ATA carnet country.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction facilities are limited.
Studios facilities are limited.
Post Production facilities are limited.
Visas & Work Permits
Short stay visa for visits under three months or business visas (meetings) are the most expedient way of gaining entry to Australia. Please note that you cannot attend meetings through the Tourist stream and may be turned around at the airport if there is suspicion in relation to your motives whilst in Australia. In addition, the business holiday visa can only be to attend meetings, sign contracts or undertake (limited) training. Any activity that would normally attract remuneration would need a work visa.
Productions that intend to stay longer than 3 months require Entertainment Visas, unless the production is not being shown in Australia, then a subclass 400 visa will be required.
For international crew to enter into Australia for work purposes, they must be covered by a subclass 408, Entertainment Visa. The local service company sponsors each visitor. For a 408 application the service company also needs to get approval from MEAA, the local Entertainment Union. To process the sponsorship visas, MEAA requires to see the deal memos between the overseas production company and each crew personnel. A similar thing has to be done with the cast’s deal memos as well.
Western passport holders travelling as tourists can an obtain an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure. Passport holders of EU nations can enter under the E-visa program. Both allow stays of up to 90 days. Given recent changes to Australian immigration policy we would only advise travelling to Australia as a tourist if you intend to only undertake genuine tourist visa activities. Anyone found working on the wrong visa will be deported from Australia and face an immediate three-year ban from applying for temporary Australian visas.
Our local service producer / fixer can assist with organising Australian visas, including turning around last-minute applications.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Major roads are up to international standards. Some outback roads require 4WD transport. Australia is serviced by most major international carriers and several domestic airlines.
Accommodation. See here for recommended film friendly hotels in Darwin, and Alice Springs.
Final Notes
Safety. Northern Territory is a very safe and reliable filming centre. Strict work place procedures also ensure safety on set. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Explore the spectacular Kakadu National Park.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Northern Territory, please see below:
Hire Northern Territory Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Northern Territory, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Northern Territory, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
