Region 30 April 2026 | By Jarryd Rowley
What do Charlize Theron, a serial killer and Ginninderra Falls all have in common? They all feature in the biggest movie currently on Netflix, Apex.
Back in February 2025, you might recall that Ginninderra Falls and the small town of Bowning in the Yass Valley became rural Hollywood for a week with the Oscar-winning Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton and Australian acting royalty Eric Bana all filming in the small town.
With the film now on Netflix and reaching number 1 on the streaming juggernaut’s most-watched charts, it would appear that the Ginnindera Falls has more eyes on it now than it ever has before.
The film follows Theron’s character, Sasha, an American rock climber who has retreated to the Australian wilderness after a tragedy led to her seeking isolation.
Heading to Wandarra National Park, Sasha is confronted by a strange man who gives her directions for navigating the forest terrain. Without spoiling anything more, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.
While Bowning features more in the opening of the film, it’s difficult to miss the forest setting of Ginnindera Falls in the film’s latter half.
While it’s not uncommon for Australia to serve as the backdrop for many of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters – The Matrix, Pirates of the Caribbean, Planet of the Apes, X-Men, and many other box-office hits have come to our shores – Yass Valley is often overlooked, despite its obvious charms.
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Yass Valley Business Chamber president Jack Walker said the natural beauty of Yass Valley has always been there, but now, with millions of viewers watching Apex, it’s now on display for the world to see.
“Yass, historically, has played a fairly significant role in the history of Australia,” Mr Walker said.
“When it came to actually selecting where our federal capital would be, Yass was one of the top locations considered.
“To have a Hollywood film being filmed in our backyard, that’s drawing international eyes onto what is really a hidden gem to the northwest of Canberra. It shows just how beautiful and how unique the Yass Valley-Canberra region always has been.
“Yass Valley has firmly established itself as one of the leading regional destinations in New South Wales — and from the ongoing growth records we’re seeing show it’s no longer a well-kept secret,” Mr Walker said.
“Yass Valley residents benefit from a unique country lifestyle in the idyllic rolling hills of the picturesque Southern Tablelands, with the conveniences of Canberra a stone’s throw away.
“What we’re seeing now is a real shift — people aren’t just visiting, they’re choosing to live, invest and build their future here.
“When you see these landscapes on screen, you don’t always realise they could be right here in our backyard. To have a Hollywood production choose Yass Valley speaks volumes. It highlights the authenticity of the region — something locals have always known, but is now being recognised more broadly.”
Apex is available on Netflix. And to find out more about the Yass Valley, visit Yass Valley.