Mundi Mundi
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1870s |
| Founder | Whitting family |
| Fate | Lease not renewed in late 1970s; land divided into smaller parcels |
Area served | Barrier Range region, New South Wales, Australia |
| Products | Sheep and horse breeding |
Mundi Mundi Station, also referred to as Mundi Mundi Plains Station or Mundi Mundi Pastoral Run, was a pastoral lease functioning as a sheep station in New South Wales. Initially encompassing around , the estate was sold and divided into smaller parcels during the late 1970s. Today, the lands that once formed Mundi Mundi Pastoral Run are occupied by Eldee Station, Purnamoota Station, and Belmont Station. The Mundi Mundi Plain(s) and the picturesque Mundi Mundi Lookout, situated on Eldee Station within the Barrier Ranges, stand out as prominent geographical landmarks. Mundi Mundi Mount reaches an elevation of approximately above sea level.
Belmont Station, originally part of the larger run, has served as a location for various film productions, television commercials, music videos, fashion photography, and hosts the annual Mundi Mundi Bash music festival.
History
Among the quartet of initial stations established in the Barrier Range during the early 1870s—alongside Mount Gipps, Corona, and Alberta Stations—Mundi Mundi was founded by the Whitting family, who had been involved in livestock operations since the 1860s. Spanning roughly or , the property was dedicated to sheep and horse breeding. The Whittings were the first European settlers in the Barrier Range region, with their daughter Tryphena recognized as the first European child born there.
In 1901, John Lewis, then proprietor, encountered cattle theft but maintained control of the station through at least 1906. During that year, he played a role in establishing the Pastoralists' Association of West Darling. Lewis also held ownership of additional properties including Nilpena, Wirrealpa, and Nelyambo.
By 1930, the station's sheep population numbered around 12,000. Following a drought in 1943, station manager J. D. Kelly sold off 7,100 sheep, reducing numbers to about 9,000.
During the late 1970s Crown lease reassessment, government authorities opted not to renew Mundi Mundi's lease despite its effective stock management practices involving rotational grazing. Instead, segments of its land were allocated to neighboring properties that were in poorer condition to enhance their sustainability. At this time, ownership was held by Innes and Colin McLeod—the latter being an heir to a prominent Adelaide tyre and rubber family. Concurrently, Innes McLeod managed the Silverton Hotel until its sale in 2021.
The compulsory acquisition process commenced around 1978–79 when A.J. Schutz & Associates conducted property valuation for compensation purposes on behalf of McLeod.
The Silverton Wind Farm, established by AGL Energy on Belmont Station territory east of Mundi Mundi Plain within the Barrier Ranges, began operations in 2018 and achieved full capacity by 2020.
Today
Currently, Eldee, Purnamoota, and Belmont stations occupy crown land that once formed part of the original Mundi Mundi Pastoral Run. The Mundi Mundi Ruins—including a homestead dating from the 19th century, a water tank, well structures, and burial sites—are located along Dense Camp Creek between Belmont and Eldee Stations. This site holds considerable historical importance and may be considered for state heritage listing.
The expanse known as the Mundi Mundi Plains lies westward of both the Barrier Ranges and Eldee Station, positioned north of Silverton. The Mundi Mundi Lookout within the Barrier Ranges provides sweeping views across these plains and is found on Eldee Station approximately a ten-minute drive from Silverton. Rising roughly 400 meters above sea level is Mundi Mundi Mount.
Belmont Station on the plains has remained under continuous family ownership since at least the 1980s. As of 2024, John Blore had overseen operations for 44 years, exemplifying enduring familial management in this locality.
Film location
Mundi Mundi Plain Station is a renowned filming site covering roughly 170,000 acres, with about 60,000 acres situated in South Australia near Broken Hill and Silverton. The landscape includes both expansive flatlands and rugged hills.
Since the 1980s, Belmont Station has been a favored backdrop for numerous movies, television commercials, music videos, and fashion photography. Prominent advertisements filmed here feature brands like XXXX Castlemaine Beer and McCain Foods. Among the films shot at this site are Russell Mulcahy's 1984 horror movie Razorback and Alex Proyas's 1989 film Spirits of the Air, Gremlins of the Clouds. The 1999 comedy The Craic, starring Jimeoin, is set in a fictional town called Mundi Mundi, with the "Mundi Mundi Pub" actually being the Silverton Hotel. Key scenes from Mad Max 2 and segments of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert were also filmed here. Additionally, the 2024 production Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, directed by George Miller, utilized Belmont Station as a filming location, employing a crew of up to 1,000 people on site.
Mundi Mundi Bash
Since its inception in 2022, the Mundi Mundi Bash music festival has taken place at Belmont Station. The event was initiated by Greg Donovan, known for organizing the Birdsville Big Red Bash. Originally scheduled for 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its inaugural year attracted fewer than 10,000 attendees.
In 2023, the festival expanded to three days and welcomed approximately 12,000 visitors. Headlining performers included Icehouse, Hoodoo Gurus, Human Nature, Pete Murray, The Angels, and Kate Ceberano. That year also saw a world record set for the largest collective performance of the Nutbush dance. Organizers secured a five-year lease agreement permitting construction of permanent infrastructure such as composting toilets.
The 2024 edition drew close to 14,000 participants with headline acts like Daryl Braithwaite, Vanessa Amorosi, Tim Finn, The Living End, Ian Moss, Chocolate Starfish, Björn Again, Shane Howard, Casey Barnes, and Ash Grunwald.
Looking ahead to 2025, the festival’s lineup is planned to feature Diesel, James Reyne, Mark Seymour, Richard Clapton, Baby Animals, Missy Higgins, Hoodoo Gurus, The Cat Empire, Birds of Tokyo, Kasey Chambers, Leo Sayer, Rose Tattoo, and Chocolate Starfish.
This event plays a vital role in stimulating Broken Hill’s local economy by filling accommodations such as Penrose Park Recreation Reserve and Menindee Lakes Caravan Park. The upgraded Broken Hill racecourse also functions as a camping area during the festival. Set on a former claypan known locally as "Mundiville," the festival exemplifies agritourism by providing alternative revenue sources for leaseholders affected by drought conditions. It is designed as a family-friendly occasion where dogs are welcome. The Royal Flying Doctor Service serves as the festival’s official charity partner.