MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS IS BACK, AND THE HUNT IS ON FOR A NEW DROVERS RUN

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Pull on your RM Williams and dust off the Akubra, because Drovers Run is open for business again.

The much-loved revival of McLeod's Daughters has found a new home, with Stan and VicScreen confirming this week that the series will be filmed almost entirely in regional Victoria.

The announcement, made on Thursday 29 October, means the hunt is now officially on for a town and a property that can stand in for the most famous cattle station on Australian television.

And if you live in a pretty corner of the state, you might just be able to help.

A new generation for McLeod's Daughters

Stan first revealed the revival at Nine's upfronts in September, describing it as a Stan Original that returns to the world created by Posie Graeme-Evans.

According to Mediaweek, a new generation of McLeod women will take centre stage at Drovers Run, with the show once again exploring women working the land, family ties and, of course, romance.

Stan's own synopsis teases that a lot has happened since viewers last visited the station, which has fans busily speculating about whether any familiar faces will wander back through the homestead gate.

For now, no cast has been announced and no release date has been set, with Stan simply describing the series as coming soon.

The show will be produced by Werner Film Productions, which is part of BBC Studios, with producer Joanna Werner leading a mostly Victorian crew.

IF Magazine reports that the production is expected to arrive in regional Victoria in the second half of 2027.

Why Victoria, and what it means for the regions

The Victorian Government has put an extra $6 million into VicScreen's Victorian Production Fund to land the series.

In return, the production is expected to pour up to $35 million into the Victorian economy and create up to 900 jobs across everything from accommodation and hospitality to transport, construction and equipment hire, according to the Premier of Victoria's announcement.

Nine Entertainment's Michael Healy summed up the mood, telling Variety Australia that Australia is "more than ready for the return of McLeod's Daughters".

Producer Joanna Werner, meanwhile, praised regional Victoria's striking landscapes and its deep pool of talent and experienced crews.

Could your town be the new Drovers Run?

Here is the fun part.

VicScreen is inviting regional Victorians to send in images of their most film-friendly spots through its Starring Regional Victoria initiative as location scouting gets underway.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Michaela Settle said the team wants to hear from communities who would love to see their town on screen.

So if your district has rolling paddocks, a weathered woolshed or a main street with a classic country pub, it could be worth a snap.

The move does mean a farewell of sorts for South Australia.

The original series was largely shot at Kingsford, between Gawler and Freeling, about an hour north of Adelaide, and the property became a pilgrimage site for fans over the years.

A show that meant so much

For anyone who grew up with it, McLeod's Daughters was appointment viewing.

It ran on Nine from 2001 to 2009, notching up eight seasons and 224 episodes, and was seen in more than 100 countries.

It collected a string of Logie Awards, including Most Popular Australian Drama, and gave us unforgettable characters such as sisters Tess and Claire McLeod, played by Bridie Carter and Lisa Chappell, alongside Aaron Jeffery's Alex Ryan and Simmone Jade Mackinnon's Stevie Hall.

At its heart, it was a story about capable, warm and stubborn women running a property on their own terms, which is probably why it still resonates more than 25 years after Tess and Claire first appeared on our screens.

Bridie Carter has previously said she can easily imagine Tess and Nick returning from Argentina, though nothing has been confirmed.

Until the casting news lands, it might be the perfect excuse for a cosy rewatch, a cuppa in hand and that famous theme song, I'll Be There, playing in the background.