Warrnambool City Council supports film, television, commercial and photographic productions across the municipality and is committed to being a film-friendly location.
With stunning coastal scenery, historic landmarks, open spaces and a welcoming community, Warrnambool offers a variety of unique filming locations. Council works with production companies, screen professionals and emerging filmmakers to facilitate filming activities while balancing the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.
Popular Filming Locations
Warrnambool offers a diverse range of filming locations, including:
- The Foreshore Promenade and Beaches including the iconic Breakwater, Stingray Bay and Lady Bay.
- Logan’s Beach, renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery and seasonal Southern Right Whale visits.
- Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, featuring heritage buildings, historic streetscapes and panoramic ocean views.
- Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground and Foreshore Reserve, offering expansive parklands and family-friendly settings.
- Warrnambool Botanical Gardens, with established gardens, mature trees and picturesque landscapes.
- Merri River and Hopkins River precincts, providing natural waterways, walking trails and scenic outlooks.
- Warrnambool CBD, featuring heritage architecture, laneways, retail precincts and contemporary urban settings.
- Warrnambool Breakwater and Harbour, delivering working waterfront, maritime and industrial backdrops.
- Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, located nearby and offering volcanic landscapes, wetlands and native wildlife (separate permits apply).
- Rural hinterland locations, featuring farmland, country roads, rolling hills and coastal vistas.
Looking for the perfect location? Our team can help connect you with suitable filming locations and provide guidance on permits, approvals and local opportunities to support your production.
What permits do I need?
To undertake filming and photography in Warrnambool City Council, including commercial, community, and student productions, you may require film permits.
Low Impact Filming
If your filming activities are minor and ‘low impact’ (see below), you won’t need to fill out the application for a permit - but you’ll still need to obtain our permission for low impact filming by contacting the Events and Promotion Team.
To approve a low impact filming activity, we’ll require proof of your current public liability insurance and 5 business days’ notice.
Low impact filming activities are defined by these criteria:
- a filming activity of six people or less (includes all production crew and talent)
- no more than one camera, one tripod, and handheld sound recording equipment
- public safety is maintained at all times and all public pathways, footpaths and roads must not be blocked
Parks Victoria
You may require a permit to undertake filming and photography on land managed by Parks Victoria. Visit the Parks Victoria website for your permit requirements.
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
You may require a permit to undertake filming and photography on state forest and crown land managed by DEECA. Visit the DEECA website for your permit requirements.
Transport Victoria
If you want to film on Victorian roads, you will need a permit from the relevant authority. Visit the Transport Victoria website for your permit requirements.
There may be additional permits or fees required depending on the location, complexity and impact of the shoot.
Council's local laws provide guidelines for the use of roads, footpaths and other public spaces for filming activity. This activity is subject to the council's approval based on the film location application and evidence of adequate public liability insurance.
Permits must be carried on location and produced upon request of a council local laws officer. The time frame for the issue of permits correlates to the location and the activity's potential impact on the amenity of residents, traders and traffic.
If you require parking in restricted or metered parking areas, you can apply for temporary parking permits, additional fees may apply.
To apply or reserve a permit, please complete and return the application form.
Fees and Charges
We do not charge fees for processing permit applications.
We may charge filming activities a service fee if Council personnel are required to be present during filming or for the provision of additional services and resources that have been requested from Council.
Stakeholder Notification
Depending on the complexity of the shoot, you will need to submit an online application form at least 10 working days before you plan to film, to allow us enough time to process your application.
In order to maintain a balanced level of residential and trader amenity, film makers are required to notify in writing persons and businesses which may be affected by their presence. Further community consultation may be requested by the Events and Promotions team, if determined necessary.
The timeframe for this notification is:
- For low impact in residential areas: A minimum of 48 hours in advance but preferably at least 72 hours in advance
- For strip shopping centres: A minimum of seven days for high impact activity
- For other commercial areas, high density residential areas and those under the jurisdiction of other authorities which impact on council-controlled areas: A minimum of seven days is preferred.
- For productions with one instance of filming longer than a week in duration: minimum 28 days
Insurance
All applications for a filming approval permit are required to provide evidence of at least $20 million public liability insurance cover through presentation of their Certificate of Currency prior to a permit being issued.
Film applications using the services of stunt performers are required to provide evidence of appropriate specialised risk insurance or WorkCover.
Film applications requiring the use of roads or road closure must obtain a Road Reserve Works Permit and traffic management plan. All filming activity must comply with common law.
Damage to Council property
All costs associated with clearing litter and other waste generated by their activities, and for any damage to parks, irrigation, roads and other council property will be borne by the production company.
Filming with a drone or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)
Whether you are filming with a drone for commercial or recreational purposes, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) guidelines apply to all drone and RPA operators.
For more information, please view the CASA flying drones in Australia rules.
Warrnambool City Council does not have any specific local laws about flying drones but the CASA guidelines do apply.
Filming for commercial purposes will need to apply for a film permit and provide a copy of the RPA operator's licence with your application. Please also follow the CASA commercial guidelines.
It is important to note that different guidelines apply for flying a drone for recreational purposes. When operating your drone, please follow the CASA list of recreational rules.
Here’s how we can support you:
Our Events and Promotion Team is here to support you with your permit requirements, scouting locations, and sharing local knowledge. We are also well positioned to facilitate connections to stakeholders, including businesses and industries to support with access to filming locations.
Our team will coordinate the approval of the application across the relevant council departments. Internal liaison between all of these departments to support filming activity is essential in the provision of an efficient, effective service which develops and maintains excellent relationships between the film industry, the City and its residents, traders and visitors.
Warrnambool also has a diverse accommodation offering including camping, caravan parks, motels, and hotels and resorts. Most providers are willing to offer competitive rates in off-peak periods.
Ready to film in Warrnambool?
We welcome enquiries from production companies, location scouts, photographers and independent filmmakers. Contact our Events and Promotion team to discuss your project, obtain filming approvals and discover the diverse locations Warrnambool has to offer.
Phone: 03 5559 4800
Email: events@warrnambool.vic.gov.au
Council will respond to your application to film or photograph within two business days of receiving it. Please note that if complex arrangements for your filming activity are required it may take Council more than five days to issue a permit.
Resources:
https://assetlibrary.vicscreen.vic.gov.au/locations
Victorian Film Friendly Guidelines