SCENE 01 / LOCATION SCOUTING SERVICES
Location Scouting Services
Find perfect filming locations across Australia—from Sydney to Melbourne and beyond.
Finding the right location can make or break a production. That's why we've built a team of experienced scouts who know Australia inside and out—from the laneways of Melbourne to the tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland. We handle everything: site research, logistics assessments, permit paperwork. You tell us what you're looking for, and we'll find it.
Over the years, we've put together a database of more than 5,000 locations across the country. But we don't just hand you a list and wish you luck. Our scouts hit the ground to verify each site meets your specific needs, whether that's a heritage-listed homestead in the Hunter Valley for your period piece or a sleek Sydney rooftop with Harbour Bridge views for a luxury brand campaign.
What really sets us apart is our network. We've spent years building relationships with property owners, local councils, Screen Australia, state film commissions like Screen NSW and Film Victoria, and heritage site managers. When you need to shoot at a location that typically says no to productions, we know who to call. We've gotten access to places most people don't even know exist.
Our Location Scouting Services
Finding the right location can make or break a production. That's why we've built a team of experienced scouts who know Australia inside and out—from the laneways of Melbourne to the tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland. We handle everything: site research, logistics assessments, permit paperwork. You tell us what you're looking for, and we'll find it.
Over the years, we've put together a database of more than 5,000 locations across the country. But we don't just hand you a list and wish you luck. Our scouts hit the ground to verify each site meets your specific needs, whether that's a heritage-listed homestead in the Hunter Valley for your period piece or a sleek Sydney rooftop with Harbour Bridge views for a luxury brand campaign.
What really sets us apart is our network. We've spent years building relationships with property owners, local councils, Screen Australia, state film commissions like Screen NSW and Film Victoria, and heritage site managers. When you need to shoot at a location that typically says no to productions, we know who to call. We've gotten access to places most people don't even know exist.
Comprehensive Location Scouting Solutions
Expert location scouts with intimate knowledge of Australia's diverse landscapes, urban environments, and cultural sites. Professional location services from initial scouting to production support with permits and logistics coordination.
Urban Locations
- • Modern cityscapes
- • Historic districts
- • Commercial areas
- • Residential neighborhoods
- • Industrial zones
Natural Landscapes
- • Coastal beaches
- • Mountain regions
- • Vineyard settings
- • Forest locations
- • River systems
Cultural Sites
- • Historic heritage homesteadx
- • Medieval architecture
- • Traditional villages
- • Museums
- • Heritage locations
Production Facilities
- • Studio spaces
- • Controlled environments
- • Green screen facilities
- • Equipment storage
- • Crew facilities
How We Work With You
Here's how we typically work with productions. You tell us what you're looking for, we go find it, and we handle all the headaches in between—permits, negotiations, logistics. By the time you show up to shoot, everything's ready.
Requirements Analysis
First things first—we sit down with you to understand exactly what you're after. We'll go through your script, look at reference images, talk about budget constraints, and nail down the visual style you're going for. No detail is too small at this stage.
Research & Reconnaissance
Our scouts will start their work after we determine what you require. Our team retrieves site options from the database followed by actual inspections at each location. Our team takes photos of every location from different perspectives while we record all essential operational details including power availability and parking spaces and environmental conditions and daylight patterns.
Presentation & Selection
We put together a detailed presentation for each shortlisted location. You'll get professional photos, logistical breakdowns, estimated costs, and info on what permits we'll need. Most clients find exactly what they want within the first round of options.
Coordination & Securing
Once you've made your choice, we handle the rest. We negotiate fees with property owners, coordinate access schedules, manage contracts, and secure all necessary permits. By the time your crew arrives, everything's sorted and ready to go.
You'll have a single point of contact throughout—someone who knows your project and can give you straight answers when things change. And things always change.
What We Bring to the Table
Years of boots-on-the-ground experience across Australia, a database we've built from scratch, and the kind of local connections that take time to develop.
Our Resources
5,000+ Locations On File
We've been building this database for years. Every entry has photos, GPS coordinates, notes on access and power, and info on what time of year works best. It's not just a list—it's institutional knowledge.
On-Site Technical Surveys
Before we recommend anywhere, we check it ourselves. Power capacity, truck access, parking situation, ambient noise—the stuff that matters when you're actually trying to shoot there.
Permit Handling
Australian bureaucracy can be... Australian. We deal with the permit applications, the property releases, the back-and-forth with local officials. You shouldn't have to.
Scouting Statistics
Why Choose Fixers in Australia for Location Scouting
Local Expertise
Our scouts developed their lives within this location. The locals possess knowledge about all the rural paths which lead to secret gardens and concealed towns that most visitors fail to discover. Our local knowledge enables us to provide locations which you cannot find elsewhere.'t see in any other production's portfolio.
Complete Documentation
Every location report we deliver is thorough enough to hand directly to your line producer. The document includes technical specifications together with permit requirements and access routes and information about nearby facilities.'s all there, organized and ready to use.
Rapid Response
Sometimes plans change at the last minute. We get it. That's why we offer 48-hour turnaround on location reports and emergency scouting services when you need to pivot quickly during production.
Cultural Heritage Access
Getting permission to film at UNESCO sites, historic heritage homesteadx, or national monuments isn't easy—but we've done it dozens of times. We know the application process, the right contacts, and how to present your project in a way that gets approvals.
On Location
Location scouting across Australia's 20 UNESCO sites + outback red centre + Great Ocean Road + Tasmanian wilderness — Disney Studios Sydney + Village Roadshow Gold Coast stage adjacency, plus Aboriginal Land Council consultation for any concept involving Country.
Here is how this works in practice. Our scouts cover Australia's full topographic range — Sydney Opera House UNESCO 2007 and Harbour Bridge, Bondi, Manly, The Rocks, Circular Quay, and Royal Botanic Garden; Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building UNESCO 2004, Federation Square, MCG, Flinders Street Station, and Yarra Valley wine country; Brisbane and Gold Coast Village Roadshow studio adjacency, Surfers Paradise, and Movie World theme park; Great Barrier Reef UNESCO 1981 (world's largest coral reef system); Uluru-Kata Tjuta UNESCO 1987 (Anangu sacred site, climbing banned since 2019); Kakadu National Park UNESCO 1981; Tasmanian Wilderness UNESCO 1982 plus Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, MONA Hobart, and Port Arthur (Australian Convict Sites UNESCO 2010); Lord Howe Island UNESCO 1982; Fraser Island K'gari UNESCO 1992; Shark Bay UNESCO 1991; Wet Tropics Daintree UNESCO 1988 (180M years — oldest tropical rainforest on Earth); Greater Blue Mountains UNESCO 2000 with the Three Sisters; Purnululu Bungle Bungle UNESCO 2003; Ningaloo Coast UNESCO 2011; plus the Twelve Apostles Great Ocean Road, MacDonnell Ranges, Watarrka Kings Canyon, Margaret River, Pinnacles, and Karijini.
Australian location scouts work hand-in-hand with Screen NSW, VicScreen, Screen Queensland, ScreenWest, SAFC, Screen Tasmania, and Screen Territory location offices on access, permit pre-clearance, and Producer Offset / Location Offset / PDV Offset QAPE rebate strategy.
Here is the short of it. Heritage Australia approvals govern federally-listed monuments and Australian Convict Sites; state site-level protection authorities cover Kakadu, Daintree, Great Barrier Reef, Tasmanian Wilderness, and Lord Howe access; CASA drone clearance and Airservices Australia airspace coordination handle aerial scouting; and ACMA RF licensing covers remote-area communications.
Here is the breakdown. Aboriginal Land Council consultation is MANDATORY for any scout on Country — AIATSIS Code of Ethics guidance, Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols, sacred-site declarations, Classic Owner permissions covering Anangu, Yolŋu, Pitjantjatjara, Warlpiri, Arrernte, and Tiwi communities, and Native Title considerations following the Mabo 1992 decision and ILUAs. Climate planning factors NSW/Victorian bushfire risk December to March, Queensland wet-season cyclones November to April, outback heat extremes summer, and Tasmanian alpine cool-season variability so every scout report defends both the visual ambition and the shoot-day feasibility.
FAQ
Location Scouting FAQ
Essential information for planning your location scouting project in Australia.
How long does location scouting take in Australia?
It really depends on what you're looking for. A straightforward commercial shoot? We can usually turn around options in 2-3 days. Feature films typically need 1-2 weeks of dedicated scouting to cover all the scenes. Documentaries fall somewhere in between—usually 3-7 days. And if you're in a bind, we offer emergency scouting with 24-48 hour delivery.
What permits are required for filming at Australian locations?
The particular permit requirements depend on your production site location and its dimensions. Local authorities require all public areas to obtain permission for filming through a filming permit. The owners of private properties need to provide release forms for their properties. Historical monuments and UNESCO sites have their own application process through cultural affairs offices. We handle all of this for you—it's one of the main reasons productions hire us.
What are typical location scouting costs in Australia?
The cost for basic day-rate scouting operations ranges between $300 and $500 for each day of operation. The company offers complete packages which combine service for multiple sites together with documentation support and permit management assistance.'re looking at $1,500-$6,000 depending on scope. Remote locations add to the cost—figure $800-$2,500 per day for mountain or rural scouting. Permit fees themselves range from $150 to $1,500 depending on the site.
Can you scout locations in remote areas of Australia?
We have several preferred destinations which exist outside of typical tourist areas. We regularly scout in the Blue Mountains, along the coastline, in rural regional, and throughout the Snowy Mountains. Our team performs accessibility evaluations for distant production locations while we handle equipment movement and find suitable housing for crew members working in the area.
How many location options will we receive?
For each scene or setup you need, we typically present 3-5 vetted options. These aren't just random suggestions—every location we show you has been checked for logistics, permit availability, and budget fit. We'd rather give you fewer, better options than overwhelm you with places that won't actually work.
What documentation do you provide for each location?
The location packages contain multiple high-resolution photos taken from different perspectives together with technical survey data about power infrastructure and access points and facility details and logistics information which includes parking details and service locations and site restrictions. The system provides site maps together with shooting position recommendations which depend on lighting conditions for all complex locations.
Related Services
Productions in Australia that need this often pair it with Local Fixer Services, Production Budgeting Services, and Production Scheduling Services for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Pre-Production Services and Travel Coordinator.
On Set
Ready to Discover Perfect Locations?
Let's find the backdrop your project deserves. Get in touch and tell us what you're looking for—we'll take it from there.