Home and Away Makes History With a Brand-New Filming Location for the First Time in 36 Years

In a move that marks one of the most significant behind-the-scenes shifts in its long and storied history, Home and Away has officially introduced a brand-new filming location — the first major change of its kind in an astonishing 36 years. For a series built on familiarity, tradition, and a deep emotional connection to place, this decision signals a bold new chapter for the iconic Australian drama.

Since its debut in 1988, Home and Away has been synonymous with Summer Bay, brought to life through the unmistakable coastal scenery of Palm Beach in Sydney. That location has become more than just a backdrop; it is a character in its own right. Generations of viewers have grown up watching romances ignite on the sand, secrets unravel by the surf, and tragedies unfold against the same familiar shoreline.

Now, for the first time, producers have expanded beyond that long-established setting.

According to production sources, the decision to introduce a new filming location was driven by a desire to refresh the visual language of the show while opening the door to storylines that simply couldn’t be told within Summer Bay alone. The new setting — described as dramatically different in tone and atmosphere — is expected to play a key role in upcoming plots, offering darker edges, heightened tension, and a sense of the unknown that contrasts sharply with the warmth of the Bay.

While details about the exact location remain tightly guarded, insiders suggest it will be used for extended story arcs rather than brief cutaway scenes. This isn’t a one-off experiment. It’s a calculated evolution.

From a storytelling perspective, the implications are huge. A new environment allows characters to be removed from their comfort zones, stripped of their support networks, and forced to confront parts of themselves they’ve long avoided. Viewers can expect storylines that feel more cinematic, more isolated, and more intense — with consequences that will ripple back to Summer Bay long after the characters return.

Longtime fans may feel a twinge of nostalgia mixed with apprehension. After all, change is always risky for a show that has thrived on consistency for more than three decades. But those close to the production insist the heart of Home and Away remains untouched. Summer Bay is still home. The new location is simply an extension of its world, not a replacement.

Cast members have reportedly embraced the shift, describing the new setting as creatively energising and emotionally challenging. Filming in unfamiliar surroundings has brought a renewed sense of urgency to performances, with actors responding to a space that feels less safe, less predictable, and more charged with possibility.

In an era where long-running soaps are under increasing pressure to reinvent without alienating loyal audiences, Home and Away’s move feels both daring and deliberate. It honours its past while quietly acknowledging that even the most beloved institutions must evolve to survive.

After 36 years, Summer Bay is no longer the only place where lives will be changed forever. And as this new chapter unfolds, viewers are left wondering: what secrets will emerge when Home and Away steps beyond the shoreline that defined it for generations?