Where was NCIS: Sydney filmed? Filming locations of the Australian police procedural

The Australian crime drama NCIS: Sydney is the international first spin-off of the highly rated NCIS franchise. It premiered on November 10, 2023, on Paramount+ in Australia and subsequently on November 13, 2023, on CBS in the U.S.

It was the introduction of a new take on military crime investigations with an integrated use of U.S. NCIS agents and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Given its positioning, the show can exploit settings in Australia to be authentically naval crime investigation and police cooperation between both agencies.

Filming was primarily carried out in Sydney, New South Wales. The mix of new skyscrapers, historic locations, and beaches in the city offered a perfect setting for the narrative. Sydney, as a global city and a naval city, gave the production a chance to produce realistic naval crime scenes while taking advantage of its picturesque locations.

Major Filming Locations For NCIS: Sydney

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Walsh Bay

Walsh Bay is one of the key locations for NCIS: Sydney. It is a water precinct with historic wharves and cultural establishments. Walsh Bay, located in the vicinity of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, has been used for several scenes, particularly those involving proximity to maritime crime investigation sites. The iconic piers and industrial, architectural elements make it an aesthetically suitable setting fitting the subject of the show.

Walsh Bay has been utilized for several scenes, especially those close to maritime crime investigation locations. The famous piers and industrial architectural icons provide a fantastic scenery appropriate for the theme of the show.

Garden Island Navy Base

In a bid to stay authentic, certain scenes of NCIS: Sydney were shot on Garden Island, one of Sydney's largest naval bases. Garden Island, being strategically located for the Royal Australian Navy, provides an appropriate setting for a series that deals with military crime. The actual operations and facilities of the base contributed to a realistic depiction of naval investigations in the show.

Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay

As the show has a naval crime setting, Sydney Harbour is often shown throughout the series. Circular Quay, offering a view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, is a frequent backdrop for the outdoor shots of numerous scenes. The waterfront locale, as a pre-existing environment for crime scenes, investigations, and establishing shots, increases Sydney's reputation as the series' hub.

Other Sydney Sites

Apart from popular sites, other areas where NCIS: Sydney was shot include business centers, industrial wharves, and suburban streets. Planned locations like Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, and Pyrmont were utilized for other scenes to give the shot of the city and sea combined. The producers incorporated Sydney's diverse landscape to enrich the story.

Expansion to the Northern Territory for NCIS: Sydney

For season two, NCIS: Sydney also extended its shooting locations outside New South Wales. In September 2024, the Northern Territory was the destination of the cast, who worked in and around Darwin. This was facilitated by Screen Territory's Production Attraction Incentive Program, which works to lure film production into the region and highlight its unique landscapes.

Darwin's Contribution to Filming of NCIS: Sydney

Darwin, the Northern Territory's capital, is a far cry from Sydney with its tropical environment, rocky terrain, and proximity to military installations. The geographical characteristics of the city permitted it to explore naval crime investigations free from the seascapes of Sydney. Darwin's filming contributed to the authenticity of the narrative by including the military presence and extensive natural environment.

Major Locations in Darwin for NCIS: Sydney

Although certain locations in Darwin for NCIS: Sydney have not been heavily described, it is anticipated that military bases, coastal regions, and city environments were involved in the production. The decision to film it in the Northern Territory added visual diversity to the series and brought more unusual Australian locations to view on mainstream TV shows.