Mansion in My Brilliant Career reboot brings buzz to rural town

Yallum Park, a grand 17-room mansion nestled in rural South Australia, is experiencing a surge of attention as it serves as the primary filming location for a Netflix reboot of the classic Miles Franklin novel, "My Brilliant Career." The historic homestead, built for pastoralist-turned-politician John Riddoch over 125 years ago, is now owned by Andy and Annie Clifford, who consider themselves its "current custodians." Described as potentially the best-preserved Victorian house in Australia in its original condition, the property has opened its doors to a major film production.

“

We like to call ourselves the current custodians.

Last February, the Cliffords were contacted by a location scout, and within four months, a crew of 140 people were filming at their home. The couple continued to live in the upstairs portion of the mansion during the extensive shoot. "We all worked in very well together… [though] I got told to be quiet because I was on my phone and their microphones were that sensitive that they were picking me up," Mr. Clifford recalled. The production team meticulously dressed the mansion's entrance with greenery, immersing the historic setting into the period drama.

“

It's been described as the best preserved Victorian house in Australia in its original condition.

The Netflix reboot, with an estimated production budget in the tens of millions, received significant taxpayer support through federal and state government incentives. The South Australian Film Corporation hailed it as the largest television season ever produced in the state. Filming took place over 14 days at Yallum Park, located a short drive from the town of Penola. To achieve the desired historical accuracy, the crew also recreated many of the ornate interiors on a sound stage in Adelaide, even taking silicon molds of the stonework and moldings.

“

We all worked in very well together … [though] I got told to be quiet because I was on my phone and their microphones were that sensitive that they were picking me up.

Location manager Scott McCarten, who selected Yallum Park, was captivated by its "distinctively Australian" character and its untouched state, fitting the script's requirement for grand entrances. He believes the South East region, where Yallum Park is situated, offers unique landscapes and architecture that have been largely unseen on screen. McCarten was among approximately 600 South Australians employed for the series, highlighting the production's substantial economic impact on the region.

“

That first time I walked in, I don't think I could speak for about half an hour, I just walked around with my mouth open.