If you’ve ever watched the 1994 film Sirens, you probably remember the hazy, golden light and those stone nymphs scattered around a lush, overgrown garden. It felt like another world. Not just because of the nudity or the 1930s scandal, but because the house itself felt like a character.
Most people assume the Sirens film locations were just a clever set built on a backlot in Sydney. Or maybe they think the production found a random old mansion and dressed it up. Actually, the truth is way more interesting. They filmed the movie exactly where the real-life story happened—at the home of the artist Norman Lindsay.
The House at the Center of it All
The primary spot for almost every scene is the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum in Faulconbridge. It’s tucked away in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. Honestly, it’s a bit surreal to visit. You walk through the same stone arches where Hugh Grant’s character, the stuttering Reverend Campion, looked so desperately uncomfortable.
The house was originally called "Springwood" and later "Maryville." Norman and his wife Rose bought it back in 1913. If you go there today, it’s basically a time capsule. You can see his etching studio and the oil painting studio where Sam Neill’s version of Lindsay held court.
Here is the thing: the statues are real. All those concrete sirens and satyrs cavorting in the garden weren't movie props. Lindsay actually spent decades molding them himself. They are still there, weathered by the mountain air, looking exactly like they did when Elle Macpherson and Portia de Rossi were lounging next to them.
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Where They Faked the Water Scenes
There’s a bit of a "movie magic" secret regarding the bathing scenes. You know the ones—the lush, hidden pools where the models spent half the movie?
While the Norman Lindsay property has a famous swimming pool (which Lindsay built himself, obviously), the most iconic water sequences weren't actually shot on the grounds.
- The Glenbrook Creek: Most of the river and "bush" bathing scenes were filmed near Glenbrook, which is a lower township in the Blue Mountains.
- The Inspiration: The real pool at the Lindsay house was reportedly in poor condition or didn't quite fit the specific "wild" aesthetic the director, John Duigan, wanted for certain shots.
- The Result: They used the natural rock formations and hidden swimming holes of the Glenbrook area to create that sense of a secret, Eden-like paradise.
If you’re planning a trip, the Norman Lindsay Gallery is at 14 Norman Lindsay Crescent, Faulconbridge. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Sydney. You can’t swim in the fountains (don't try, the National Trust will get very annoyed), but you can walk the "Sirens" bush track.
The Train and the Town
A few scenes take place away from the artist's estate. To capture that 1930s vibe, the production team used the Mount Victoria railway station. It’s one of the highest points in the Blue Mountains and has that classic Victorian-era architecture that hasn't changed much in a century.
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They also used a very specific piece of Australian history for the travel sequences: the 3801 steam locomotive. It’s a legendary engine in Australia. Seeing it puffing through the mountains with those old wooden carriages really grounded the film in its "interwar" setting.
For the scenes representing the town of "Ballarat" (where the Campions originally arrived), the crew traveled further west to Sofala. It’s a tiny, historic gold-mining town near Bathurst. If you want to see what Australia looked like in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sofala is the place. It’s barely changed since the gold rush, which makes it a dream for location scouts who don't want to spend millions on CGI.
Why the Location Mattered
Most movies about artists use a "representative" house. Sirens didn't. By filming at the actual site of the controversy, the movie captured a specific kind of light. The Blue Mountains have this peculiar blue haze—caused by oil mist from eucalyptus trees—that gives everything a soft, dreamlike quality.
It’s also important to remember that the real Norman Lindsay was just as controversial as the movie suggests. His work was banned, labeled "blasphemous," and he was constantly at war with the "wowsers" (the Australian term for killjoys). Filming in his actual studio meant the actors were surrounded by his real etchings and the ghosts of the actual models who lived there.
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Visiting the Sirens Locations Today
If you want to do a "Sirens" tour, it’s pretty easy to pull off in a single day trip from Sydney.
- Start at Faulconbridge: Hit the Norman Lindsay Gallery first. It opens at 10:00 AM.
- The Garden Walk: Don't just stay in the house. The statues are scattered through 42 acres of bushland. Find the "Sphinx" and the "Seahorse Fountain."
- Lunch in Leura or Wentworth Falls: These are nearby mountain towns with a similar vibe.
- Finish at Glenbrook: Hike down to the Jellybean Pool or Blue Hole. It's not exactly where the models were, but it’s the same water and the same sandstone cliffs.
One weird detail: if you visit during the right season, the wisteria on the gallery's verandah is incredible. It smells like a perfume factory and makes the whole "bohemian paradise" vibe feel very real.
Practical Insights for Film Buffs
- Check the Exhibits: The gallery often runs "Sirens Revisited" exhibitions where they show off the original costumes and props from the movie.
- The Cafe: There is a cafe on-site called the Lindsay’s Cafe. It’s good, but it gets packed on weekends.
- Photography: You can take photos in the gardens, but they are usually pretty strict about no photos inside the gallery where the original paintings are kept.
The film locations for Sirens aren't just backdrops; they are the literal ground where the "Bohemianism vs. Religion" battle of the 1930s was fought. It’s rare for a movie to get that much authenticity in its setting.
To truly experience the atmosphere of the film, plan your visit for a weekday morning when the mountain mist is still clinging to the valley. It’s the only way to see the "Sirens" the way the Campions did—before the sun burns off the mystery.
Next Steps
If you want to dig deeper into the history of the house, you should check the National Trust of Australia's registry for "Springwood." You can also look up the schedule for the 3801 steam train if you want to ride the same rails seen in the movie's opening shots.