The 1996 "McLeod's Daughters" tele-movie was originally meant and intended to be a pilot for this television series.
In the later television series, Claire is more of a tomboy. In this tele-movie, Tess is the one who is the tomboy.
In this tele-movie, Tess is Black haired, while Claire is blond. In the later television series, it is the opposite.
This later television series of the same name which was first broadcast in 2001 was in development ever since this earlier "McLeod's Daughters" (1996) tele-movie had first premiered and been announced a success.
The first episode of the later Australian television series of the same name was made and first broadcast about five years after this "McLeod's Daughters" (1996) tele-feature.