“Apex” is the latest Netflix thriller to showcase the beauty of Mother Nature, along with the deadly adrenaline rush of hiking, kayaking and mountain climbing. Whether you’re an outdoorsy person or a true crime fanatic, you may be drawn to the film for its gorgeous landscapes, high-octane thrills and terrifying murder plot. Either way, the experience could leave you breathless, with plans to walk in Charlize Theron’s very footsteps.
Since the movie was filmed across a wide array of mountain ranges, whitewater rapids and national parks across Australia and New Zealand, you’ll probably have trouble squeezing everything into one trip. Luckily, we’ve got the inside scoop on each of these stunning locales, along with some local-approved recommendations for restaurants, hotels and must-see tourist destinations. Before long, you might find yourself climbing, hiking and boating like a true survivor – hopefully without a crazed cannibal following your entire adventure. Just be sure to head out with a group, since the great outdoors can be quite unforgiving.
Where In Australia Is ‘Apex’ Set?
The narrative of “Apex” primarily takes place in a fictional National Park called Wandarra. In reality, Charlize Theron’s heart-thumping adventures were captured at a variety of Australian nature sites, including Ginninderra Falls, Glenbrook Gorge and Royal National Park.
For the cliff-jumping scenes in “Apex,” Kormákur chose to shoot at Ginninderra Falls, Women’s Weekly reports. This beautiful 60-meter waterfall and gorge system was once popular with tourists, though it is now inaccessible to the public. The filmmaker received special permission to shoot at the Falls to bring the raw terror of leaping from such massive heights to life on the screen.
While Ginninderra Falls may be off limits, fans of “Apex” can still explore plenty of key production sites for themselves. According to Decider, the kayaking and whitewater rafting sequences were captured at Penrith Whitewater Stadium in New South Wales. This artificial sporting facility is ideal for adrenaline-pumping water sports in a controlled environment. Penrith offers rafting, paddling, kayaking, and more to newcomers and experienced outdoorsmen alike. Additional material for the film was captured at Disney Studios in Moore Park and at the remote town of Bowning in New South Wales. A few units were even sent across the Tasman Sea to shoot pick-up material and landscape shots of coastal New Zealand.
How To Make The Most Of Your Trip To Blue Mountains National Park
Key Scenes: Though various shots were completed in the previously mentioned locales, Blue Mountains National Park served as the primary location for the “Apex” production team. Blue Mountains National Park is a vast, sprawling network of mountain ranges, offering some incredible panoramic views, rock climbing, camping and access to sacred Aboriginal sites.
Best Time To Visit: Those looking to visit the Blue Mountains for themselves are best advised to venture forth during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. These periods offer mild weather, vibrant foliage and opportunities to view local wildlife from a safe and respectful distance. The summer months are known to be scorching hot, especially for those not accustomed to Australia’s blistering heat waves.
Transportation Options: Transportation in and around the city of Sydney will be quite plentiful, but there are obviously no buses or Ubers available on the remote trails of the Blue Mountains. If you’d like to hitch a ride or rent a car, the national park can be found just an hour west of central Sydney. Alternatively, there is a line train which runs from Sydney to the mountains, as well as a hop-on, hop-off bus for tourists. Just be sure to check in with a local guide once you’ve arrived, and they’ll tell you which trail heads are right for your hiking ability.
For “Apex,” crews were required to hike, rock climb, swim and be flown by helicopter to shoot in these beautiful lands. Most of the rock climbing scenes took place along a particular stretch of the Blue Mountains known as the Grand Canyon walking track. This 6.5-kilometer loop is a premier hiking destination, offering stunning waterfall views and plenty of vertical ascent. Crucially, this track is also open to the public, so it’s a perfect place for super-fans of “Apex” to explore.
Things to Do: If you’re planning on visiting Blue Mountains National Park, you should be prepared for some serious hiking. This massive nature reserve is fairly secluded from the creature comforts of the urban city, and best explored by prepared frontiersmen. Of course, there are numerous options for those interested in private tours, which will be much more accessible than the absurd stunts performed by Charlize Theron in “Apex.” Depending on what tour you book, you can explore the Blue Mountains on foot or from the comfort of a cable car. Some tours specialize in wildlife sightings, giving you a chance to get up close and personal with kangaroos and other outback fauna.
Where to Eat: Though prepared food will be rare on the trail, Sydney is packed with well-reviewed restaurants. Divino Osteria, The Boiling Crab Sydney and the world-famous Aria Restaurant are among the best, according to locals. If you fail to secure a reservation at these upscale eateries, you can always check out some of the bustling mom and pop shops along the coast, along with a few low-key diners, ideal for sunburnt travelers coming down from a rugged mountain excursion.
Where to Stay: While lodging is significantly more scarce inside the wilderness of the Blue Mountains than it is in Sydney proper, you may be surprised to learn that there are actually a few well-reviewed resorts right in the heart of the park. The Falls Mountain Retreat is a pricey but upscale retreat located on four acres of pristine wilderness, offering luxury amenities for the distinguished traveler. Metropole Katoomba, Hotel Blue and the Blackheath Motor Inn are also present within the mountain range, for those looking for more inexpensive accommodations. Most travelers will probably opt for a chain hotel in Sydney and take the roughly hour-long drive to the park as needed, but it’s still nice to know there are options that keep you in nature, without having to rely on a tent.
Royal National Park Also Appears In ‘Apex’
Key Scenes: Much like the Blue Mountains, Royal National Park served as a key filming location for the “Apex” team. Numerous sequences were captured along the eastern coastline of Australia, within Royal’s eucalyptus-rich bushland. Visitors can expect to find tons of trailheads, waterfalls and wildlife to marvel at, including kookaburras, echidnas and koalas.
Best Time to Visit: Mild weather and wildflower blooms are common in spring, though water-sport enthusiasts are encouraged to visit in summer, as long as they pack plenty of sunscreen. Just remember that summer in the southern hemisphere includes the months of December through February, or you may find yourself majorly disappointed.
Transportation Options: Royal National Park offers a wide array of walking and biking trails, though the rural nature reserve is not open for motor vehicle traffic. Those looking to traverse the falls and visit the Figure Eight Pools will need to proceed on foot and exercise great caution. Visitors can reach the park by driving or taking the T4 train line from Sydney to the Cronulla or Illawarra stops. Ferries are also available for those looking to head right for the coast, providing a convenient entry point for those who aren’t up to the physically demanding hike.
During a recent discussion with The Writing Studio, director Baltasar Kormákur explained his decision to shoot in Australia, stating, “It wasn’t necessarily supposed to be Australia. It was set in America, but we needed to shoot in a warm climate at a specific time of year, so the Southern Hemisphere came into play… As I started looking into it, I felt it was actually a great idea to locate the film here and really use Australian nature, which is unique, and build the film around that more. That choice took us down a very particular path.”
When asked why he relied heavily on practical filmmaking and real natural landscapes, Kormákur continued, “You can build amazing things in a studio, but for me, it starts from the ground up, from real experience in nature. We find the places first and then build into them. Some of what we’re doing would be too hard, or impossible, to fake. By using nature and real locations as much as we can, you bring the audience into a world and an experience that’s all too rare in cinema today.”
Things to Do: Similar to the Blue Mountains, Royal National Park is conveniently located just outside Sydney, offering locals and tourists alike the opportunity to visit with a brief hour-long drive. Hiking and sightseeing are common activities around Royal, though the most appealing part of the park is surely the vibrant coastland. Here, visitors can interact with wildlife and even swim with dolphins, given the proper supervision. The Figure Eight Pools and Dharawal Aboriginal Engravings Site are also major draws, especially for those looking to snap some once-in-a-lifetime photos.
Where to Eat: While you’re out enjoying nature, you’re not likely to find any supermarkets or coffee shops lining the falls of Royal National Park. Still, there is an excellent eatery available to fuel up before or after a demanding trek. The Audley Dance Hall Cafe can be found in Audley, right along the Hacking River. The cafe serves as the central dining spot for the national park, offering breakfast, lunch and a variety of house-made trail treats. You can also find a few rare keepsakes at this location, so it’s worth stopping in even if you’ve got a full pack of dehydrated meals ready to go.
Where to Stay: Unfortunately, there are no traditional hotels located inside Royal National Park. Visitors are encouraged to book a hotel in Sydney and venture into the park on a day-by-day basis. Of course, some travelers can find heritage cottages in small towns bordering the park, though they tend to fill up fast. The Heathcote Hotel is probably your best bet for this kind of trip, as it’s located right outside the Royal border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Apex” based on a true story?
Though the fast-paced thriller feels all too real, “Apex” is not based on any one true story. The film is a work of fiction originally penned by screenwriter Jeremy Robbins. Robbins holds previous credits for several short films and worked as a story editor on USA’s “The Purge” series, which ran from 2018 to 2019.
Did Charlize Theron do her own stunts in “Apex”?
Though it may sound too shocking to be true, Charlize Theron really did perform most of her own stunts in “Apex.” Filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur described Theron’s process during an interview with Forbes, explaining, “That final ascent was more than I would have liked to do myself, you know? There were some security measures, but at the same time, just to go off that cliff and do that climb, it was incredible… She was just hanging off that cliff for a whole day.” Obviously, stunt performers and special effects were used for several of the most extreme shots in the film, but the vast majority of the action is Theron herself.
