Filming ranged across locations including Adelaide, Darwin, Jabiru, Kakadu National Park, Katherine, Nitmiluk National Park, and the Tiwi Islands. In all places, there was important liaison with the local Aboriginal communities, the producing team ensuring that approvals were granted to film and that due respect was paid to the original owners of the lands and the current residents of the communities.
Some of the Tiwi Island locals participating in the shoot thought they were attending Miranda Tapsell's wedding.
Of actor Gwilym Lee, who plays Ned, director Wayne Blair said: "There was something about this guy that was earthy, grounded, a little bit comically self-effacing, but also had this warmth and heart. Someone who could still step up to be a man when he had to."
Gwilym Lee was intensely affected by the filming locations and its people, especially on the Tiwi Islands. The night before shooting the emotionally charged wedding scene, the cast and crew having finished dinner, and relaxing around their tables, an unexpected gift from the older Tiwi women, singing and playing guitars in an impromptu personal concert, put everyone in the mood for what was ahead. "It was beautiful because it was so spontaneous, so real and authentic," said Lee. "It was just them welcoming us onto their island, into their community. And they finished by singing a healing song, to give us goodwill and good energy for the next day when we were filming the wedding. We were all deeply moved by this, and sure enough, we slept really peacefully. And the next day we woke up and everybody that was witness to this moment had a real warm spirit about themselves. It resulted in a brilliant day. Filming the wedding on Tiwi was a day I'll never forget. And I think a large part of it is because we were given this beautiful moment the night before by the local elder women."
Lead actress Miranda Tapsell grew up in Darwin and actually went on a school camp to Katherine Gorge. Both are located in the Northern Territory in Australia where the film mostly takes place.