CULTURAL & HISTORICAL TRAIL
Connecting Stories Across Country
A proposed Magic Lands Cultural & Historical Trail would connect significant cultural, historical and film-related locations associated with MLA projects.
Rather than creating a single tourism destination, the concept is designed as a network of places and experiences — encouraging visitors to travel through regional communities while discovering the deeper stories connected to Country.
The trail could connect:
Cultural Places
Traditional structures • Gathering places • Cultural landscapes • On-Country experiences
Historical Places
Early settlement environments • Heritage locations • Historical landscapes • Places connected to significant people and events
Film Heritage
Filming locations • Retained historical sets • Production stories • Behind-the-scenes interpretation
Education & Interpretation
Learning spaces • QR interpretation • Digital resources • Research films • School and university experiences
Country & Landscape
Walking trails • Native landscapes • Ecological interpretation • Cultural planting and restoration
Storytelling
Oral histories • Exhibitions • Digital storytelling • Cultural and historical interpretation
PROJECT ONE
Magic Lands: Ngarram
Where Two Worlds Collide
The tourism vision begins with the landscapes and stories surrounding MLA's first major feature project.
Magic Lands: Ngarram – Where Two Worlds Collide explores the extraordinary story of William Buckley, Purranmurnin Tullawurnin and the profound cultural and historical changes occurring across southern Victoria during the early nineteenth century.
The project's research spans locations, communities, cultural landscapes and historical places across Victoria.
As the film develops, MLA is exploring how selected locations, cultural infrastructure and historical environments associated with the production could contribute to a broader cultural and historical visitor journey.
Explore Project One →
Infrastructure Connected to Country
Rather than creating one central destination, MLA's long-term vision is to establish a connected network of cultural locations across Victoria.
These locations can link film stories with Country, history, cultural knowledge and regional communities — encouraging people to travel through the landscapes connected to the stories themselves. The prospectus describes this as a model that can support regional travel and local economies while helping visitors experience Australia's shared history through Country, Culture and education.
Potential Project One Locations
Wurdi Youang / You Yangs
Cultural knowledge, landscape and astronomy.
Barrabool Hills
Wadawurrung Country and landscapes connected to the Project One story.
Lake Connewarre
Country, ecology, cultural landscapes and historical storytelling.
Werribee
Early contact, cultural landscapes and colonial history.
Framlingham
Culture, community history and the later story of Purra.
Mount Noorat
Traditional trade and gathering history.
Anakie & The Granites
Natural landscapes, traditional shelter and cultural interpretation.
Early Geelong
Colonial settlement and Wadawurrung history.
Early Melbourne
The meeting of First Nations history and the emerging colonial settlement.
Sullivan Bay
The 1803 British settlement and the beginning of William Buckley's journey.
Example — Framlingham
Framlingham is one of the significant locations associated with Purra's later life and the continuing history of First Nations communities in south-west Victoria.
Project One proposes the reconstruction of one or two traditional huts to support cultural interpretation and storytelling, subject to cultural consultation, approvals and partnerships.
Potential Uses: Cultural Storytelling • Education • Historical Interpretation • Community Programs
Example — Mount Noorat
Mount Noorat forms part of Project One as the setting for a traditional trading gathering.
The project explores temporary traditional trading huts alongside cultural and historical interpretation, educational walking trails, outdoor gathering spaces and potential future cultural gatherings or market experiences.
Potential Uses: Cultural Gatherings • Walking Trails • Education • Tourism • Community Events
Example — Traditional Cave Shelters
Traditional cave shelters appear throughout Project One as part of the story of shelter, protection and everyday life on Country.
The project proposes several reconstructed shelters that could support cultural interpretation and guided storytelling, with possible locations around Anakie and surrounding areas, subject to consultation and approvals.
Potential Uses: Storytelling • Cultural Education • Guided Experiences • Historical Interpretation
EXPERIENCES ALONG THE JOURNEY
Country
Culture
History
Film Locations
Education
Heritage
Landscape
Community
As the film develops, MLA is exploring how selected locations, cultural infrastructure and historical environments associated with the production could contribute to a broader cultural and historical visitor journey.
Explore Project One →
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PARTNER WITH THE TRAIL
Building a Regional Story Together
The Magic Lands Cultural & Historical Trail is being developed as a collaborative concept.
MLA is seeking conversations with Traditional Owner organisations, tourism bodies, councils, government, regional businesses, transport providers, accommodation operators, educational institutions, cultural organisations, philanthropists and corporate partners interested in exploring its potential.
Partnership opportunities may include:
Destination Partnerships
Connecting MLA stories and experiences with regional tourism strategies.
Cultural Infrastructure
Supporting lasting cultural, educational and visitor assets.
Trail & Place Partnerships
Connecting significant locations and communities into the broader visitor journey.
Transport & Access
Helping visitors move between destinations and regional communities.
Education Partnerships
Connecting tourism experiences with schools, universities and educational resources.
Regional Business Partnerships
Creating opportunities for local accommodation, hospitality, experiences and enterprise.
Corporate & Cultural Legacy Partnerships
Supporting infrastructure and experiences designed to create long-term cultural and community value.
All concepts remain subject to appropriate Traditional Owner collaboration, cultural protocols, landholder agreements, feasibility, funding, and relevant approvals.
PARTNER WITH MLA
REQUEST THE EXECUTIVE PARTNERSHIP PROSPECTUS
CONTACT US
