Stories Become Journeys

Magic Lands Alliance is developing a long-term cultural and historical tourism vision connecting stories, Country, communities and significant places across Victoria.

Through film, cultural infrastructure, education, and place-based storytelling, MLA aims to create visitor experiences that allow people to explore the landscapes, histories, and cultures behind the stories portrayed on screen.

Rather than tourism being separate from our film projects, it forms part of the legacy they can leave behind.

Film introduces the story.
Country is where the story continues.

Project One is being developed as the foundation for a connected network of cultural and historical locations across Victoria — encouraging regional travel, supporting local economies and helping visitors experience Australia's shared history through Country, Culture and education.

Tourism

From Screen to Place

Every Magic Lands project begins with research into people, Country, Culture and history.

That research can extend beyond the screen — connecting audiences with the actual landscapes, communities and places associated with the stories.

MLA is developing opportunities for selected film locations, cultural infrastructure, historical environments and educational resources to contribute to future visitor experiences across regional Victoria.

These may include cultural and historical trails, interpretation, guided experiences, educational excursions, exhibitions, digital storytelling and selected production environments retained beyond filming.

Development is undertaken in collaboration with relevant Traditional Owners, communities, landholders and regional stakeholders, and remains subject to appropriate cultural protocols, agreements and approvals.

Cultural & Historical Trail

Connecting Stories Across Country

Rather than creating a single tourism destination, MLA is exploring a connected network of cultural places, historical locations, landscapes and film environments across Victoria.

The proposed Magic Lands Cultural & Historical Trail would encourage visitors to journey through the places connected to these stories — linking Country, Culture, history, education and regional communities.

Cultural & Historical Trail → Explore

Building Beyond Production

Most film productions leave little physical connection between the story audiences see on screen and the places where that story was created. Magic Lands Alliance is exploring a different model. Where culturally appropriate and practically viable, selected structures, historical environments and production assets may be designed with a life beyond filming.

FILM PRODUCTION
↓
CULTURAL & HISTORICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
↓
EDUCATION & INTERPRETATION
↓
VISITOR EXPERIENCES
↓
COMMUNITY & REGIONAL LEGACY

This approach has the potential to transform elements created for storytelling into lasting cultural, educational, and tourism assets.

Cultural Infrastructure - Explore

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Visitor Experiences

Different Ways to Experience the Story

As MLA projects develop, potential visitor experiences may include:

Cultural Experiences

On-Country learning, cultural interpretation, traditional structures, stories and experiences developed with appropriate Traditional Owner involvement.

Historical Experiences

Historic locations, reconstructed environments, heritage places and interpretation connecting visitors with Victoria's shared history.

Education

School excursions, university programs, research resources, exhibitions and place-based learning.

Country & Landscape

Walking experiences, cultural landscapes, ecology, native restoration and interpretation of the relationship between people and Country.

Storytelling

Film, oral histories, digital interpretation, exhibitions and location-based stories connecting the past with the present.

Film Heritage

Filming locations, selected retained sets and behind-the-scenes stories providing a connection between screen production and place.

Regional Economy

Tourism That Contributes to Place

By connecting film, cultural storytelling, education and regional destinations, MLA's tourism model aims to contribute to lasting cultural, social and economic outcomes.

Regional Visitation
Encouraging visitors to explore locations beyond established tourism centres.

Local Enterprise
Creating opportunities for accommodation, hospitality, tours, transport, retail and local businesses.

First Nations Enterprise
Supporting opportunities for culturally appropriate First Nations-led tourism, interpretation, employment and enterprise.

Employment & Skills
Creating pathways associated with tourism, culture, education, events and visitor experiences.

Education
Connecting students, communities and visitors with Country, Culture, history and environmental knowledge.

Cultural Awareness
Creating opportunities for deeper understanding of Australia's shared history and the continuing cultures of First Nations peoples.

Longer Regional Journeys
Connecting multiple locations can encourage visitors to stay longer and experience more of regional Victoria.

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 →

Partner With The Journey

MLA is seeking conversations with Traditional Owner organisations, tourism bodies, councils, government, regional businesses, transport providers, accommodation operators, educational institutions and corporate partners interested in helping develop this long-term cultural tourism vision.

Potential partnerships can support:

• Destination Development

• Cultural Experiences

• Transport & Access

• Education

• Regional Enterprise

• Cultural Infrastructure

• Visitor Interpretation

Help Build The Journey

Magic Lands Alliance is creating more than stories for the screen.

We are exploring how those stories can connect people with Country, Culture, history and communities — creating journeys that continue long after the credits roll.