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Mad Max movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Mad Max filmed?

1979

City Locations

Melbourne (Australia), Victoria (Australia)

Location Types

Storefront, House

Location Styles

Beach House, Beachfront, Dilapidated, Industrial, Neglected, Classic Car

About Mad Max

Mad Max, released in 1979, is the first installment of the franchise. This post-apocalyptic action movie was a groundbreaking success, directed by George Miller and starring Mel Gibson, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Tim Burns, Joanne Samuel, Steve Bisley, and Roger Ward.

The story follows former highway patrolman Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) as he becomes a drifting loner after a brutal biker gang murders his family. He seeks revenge against the gang leader Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne) while trying to survive in a world of chaos and lawlessness.

During his journey, he meets an intriguing mechanic named Goose (Steve Bisley) and makes allies with a group of survivors led by an independent leader known as The Nightrider (Vincent Gil). As his quest for revenge leads him further away from civilization and more profoundly into anarchy, he begins to fight for something more than just vengeance - justice.

After its release, Mad Max received generally positive reviews from critics and became an international cult classic. The movie won three Australian Film Institute Awards in 1979 for editing, musical score, and sound and received a special award for its stunt work. The movie also received the Special Jury Award at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival.

Mad Max Locations

The Mad Max production took place in different locations around Melbourne, Australia. Most scenes were shot on the B100 coast road, just 60 miles southwest of Melbourne. The South Melbourne Gasworks in Port Melbourne served as the backdrop for the “Halls of Justice” headquarters of the “Bronze,” while the South Lawn Car Park at Melbourne University was used as an underground garage for Max's car.

Other scenes were filmed on a rocky cove along Port Phillip Bay and May's farm. The surrounding landmarks and areas of interest that provided the setting for Mad Max are both stunning and diverse. From beautiful beachfront views to industrial gasworks and rural farmland, viewers get a sense of what makes Australia unique.

Fans inkling for a more in-depth experience of the Mad Max filming locations should make a trip out of it. Even those who may not be familiar with the dystopian film will find something to appreciate throughout Melbourne.

Fun Facts:

Working on a tight budget, Director George Miller, who is also a medical professional, put in hours at the Emergency Room to scrunch up extra money for production. Most of the Mad Max extras were reportedly also paid in beer.

Toecutter and his men arrive at the town scene in Mad Max

44 Fraser St, Clunes VIC 3370, Australia

Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne) and his gang arrive in town on their motorcycles, unleashing havoc, and destruction along the way. They vandalize property, steal fuel, and intimidate the residents. Their actions cause unease among the locals.

The scene was filmed in Clunes, a town located in Victoria, Australia. In 1850, Clunes was the site of Victoria's first registered gold discovery by William Campbell, leading to a gold rush. The heritage-listed main street, developed during the 1851 – 1854 gold rush boom period and contains several historic buildings such as churches, banks, hotels, and more.

Although Clunes is usually quiet, tourists can visit during the Clunes Booktown Festival, which started in 2007 and attracts many tourists. Clunes is located 85 miles from the Melbourne city center and can be accessed through Highway M1/M8 if traveling by car.

Toecutter and his men destroy the car scene in Mad Max

Clunes Railway Station, Service St, Clunes VIC 3370, Australia

The gang led by Toecutter plans their revenge for the death of Nightrider (Vincent Gil). They arrive at a town where the remains of the Nightrider were transported by train. While there, the gang violently attacks a couple who attempt to escape in their car. The couple is caught, and their vehicle is destroyed.

The memorable Mad Max action scene was filmed near the Clunes Railway Station. Clunes is a charming small town located about 85.7 miles northwest of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. The old railway station building has since undergone refurbishment and now serves as home to various community groups, markets, and festivals.

You can visit Clunes Railway Station from Melbourne easily; drive or take a train via V/Line services.

Max's house scenes in Mad Max

310 Great Ocean Rd, Fairhaven VIC 3231, Australia

The beach house at 310 Great Ocean Road in Fairhaven was featured in Mad Max as the address where the main character and his family lived. It is a humble shack that has been renovated with a contemporary style, juxtaposing the apocalyptic world of Mad Max. The house’s white picket fence offers a stark contrast to the dusty roads and landscapes seen throughout the movie.

Fairhaven is a charming coastal town located in the Surf Coast Shire of Victoria, Australia. It's a well-loved vacation spot. Back in 1979, the beach house on Great Ocean Road was just a simple shack. However, in 2000, it exchanged hands for 1.1 million dollars and underwent extensive renovations.

It's now famously known as Max's Beach House, named after the cult classic movie. The property was listed for sale in March 2012 for 11 million dollars, so visitors can only get a glimpse of the exterior.

To reach this location, take a road trip along Port Phillip or fly into Melbourne Airport, which is approximately 83 miles away from Fairhaven.

Jessie buys an ice cream scene in Mad Max

Avalon Beach, Port Phillip Bay, VIC, Australia

Max, his wife Jessie (Joanne Samuel), and their infant son, "Sprog" (Australian slang), go on a trip in their panel van. They stop to fix a flat tire, and Jessie takes Sprog to get some ice cream. However, Toecutter and his gang attack Jessie. Fortunately, she manages to escape, and they flee to May Swaisey's (Sheila Florence) remote farm for safety, which does not last for long.

The ice cream shop seen in the scene was situated at the eastern end of Avalon Beach, a slender piece of land accessed through a causeway on the coast between Werribee and Geelong, towards the west of Melbourne. Even though the store now serves as a private residence, the area still looks remarkably similar.

To get to this location, travel to Werribee from Melbourne and take a coastal route toward Avalon Beach.

Max takes his gear for the revenge scene in Mad Max

The South Lawn Carpark, Wilson Ave, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia

Max becomes enraged by the loss of his family and decides to wear his police uniform. He takes the black Pursuit Special without permission to pursue and eliminate the gang. This scene is often cited as one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history for its intense action and visual spectacle.

The South Lawn Carpark, located at Wilson Ave, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia, was an ideal filming location due to its parabolic concrete shells with short columns that added tension and drama to the action-packed sequence. The University of Melbourne has a parking garage called the "South Lawn Carpark," which was built between 1971 and ‘72.

Jan van der Molen designed the garage, and the location is easily accessible and open for fans who want to take some photos there.

To get to the South Lawn Carpark, either take public transport or drive there. The car park is situated near Swanston Street, which has several bus routes linking to different areas of Melbourne's CBD.

The ending scene in Mad Max

Emu Creek Bridge, Gellies Rd, Wildwood VIC 3429, Australia

The end scene in Mad Max is an unforgettable one. The camera shows Max's car driving away from a large and fiery explosion in the background, leaving Johnny's (Tim Burns) fate unknown. The bleak Outback landscape is enveloped by an ominous rainstorm that adds to the atmosphere of hopelessness as Max drives off into an uncertain future.

The scene is often cited for its depiction of a desolate future, with its sparse setting and dark undertones. It’s considered an example of how powerful cinematography can be used to convey themes such as hopelessness and despair.

The scene was filmed at Emu Creek Bridge, Gellies Rd, Wildwood VIC 3429, Australia. Its red clay landscape contrasts the surrounding bushland and provided a fitting environment for the on-screen apocalyptic world.

Visitors can quickly get to this location; it is just over an hour's drive north of Melbourne on the M2 and Sunbury Road.

Conclusion

If you are planning a trip to the land Down Under, it isn’t a bad idea to create an itinerary based on the Mad Max filming locations. the classic punk western directed by George Miller with Mel Gibson in the leading role offered viewers some excellent comic-book volatility, with locations around Melbourne bringing the post-apocalyptic world to life.

Gibson's performance in Mad Max was incredibly well-done and highly praised by critics. His shy reserve provides a rare opportunity to observe a new star on his first voyage into filmmaking and gives viewers an insight into his exemplary acting skills. The movie's script is also well-written, with powerful dialogues that draw audiences in and make them feel as if they are part of the story.

Mad Max contributed immensely to the movie industry, setting new standards for films revolving around brutality and revenge. It also changed how people viewed post-apocalyptic worlds; since Mad Max's release, many films have been inspired by it that employ visual effects to create futuristic landscapes similar to those in Mad Max.

Overall, Mad Max is an acclaimed classic film for any movie enthusiast. Not only does it provide thrilling action sequences, but its contribution to the cinema should not be overlooked either; Miller's ingenuity set new standards for post-apocalyptic movies, inspiring filmmakers today.