Diksha Sundriyal
Netflix’s ‘My Brilliant Career‘ follows the story of Sybylla Melvyn, whose life changes after her grandmother takes her under her wing. She is invited to leave behind the poor lodgings with her family and move to her grandmother’s lavish estate, Caddagat. It marks the beginning of her education and entry into high society, and soon, the world expands swiftly and considerably. Another place that becomes important to her storyline is Five Bob Downs, the house of her grandma’s friend and her nephew, Harry, who becomes a major love interest for Sybylla. Both locations play significant roles in the protagonist’s story, and fans can visit them, as they are real places.
Caddagat is Filmed in a Real Victorian Mansion
‘My Brilliant Career’ is a fictional story with made-up characters and locations, which includes Sybylla’s grandma, Mrs. Bossier, and her estate, Caddagat. The filming took place at Yallum Park Homestead, located on Mount Burr Road in Monbulla, South Australia. The exteriors of the Victorian Mansion were used to represent Sybylla’s new home, while the interior scenes were likely filmed on set at Adelaide Studios at 1 Mulberry Road, Glenside. Yallum Park was built between 1878 and 1880 for John Riddoch and has been extensively preserved over the years, including its original 19th-century English wallpapers.
It boasts high ceilings, stained-glass windows, and marble mantelpieces that transport a person to the late 1800s. This private property also has beautiful gardens and grounds that enhance its appeal. Over the years, it has also hosted guests such as King George V and poet Adam Lindsay Gordon. While it remains closed to other public events, it is open for public viewing and regularly hosts tours for curious people to step into a piece of history. The mansion was a perfect stand-in for Caddagat, which serves as Sybylla’s introduction to high society and a life of luxury.
Five Bob Downs is Brought to Life by a Mid-19th Century Building
While Caddagat opens the door to a new world for Sybylla, it is in Five Bob Downs that she learns how to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Once again, the Beecham family and its house are fictional, but the scenes concerning it were filmed at a real location. For the exteriors of Five Bob Downs, the show’s creators turned towards Para Para Mansion, located at 17 Penrith Avenue, Gawler West, South Australia. Created for Walter Duffield between 1851 and 1862, the house has passed from one caretaker to the next and, over the years, has been carefully preserved by them. Currently, 12 acres of its land have been turned into a lavender farm. The estate also opened its doors to the public after 25 years in 2026, hosting a public viewing that invited people to learn more about the place’s history and partake in its present.
The house was perfect to represent the Beechams, especially in the context of Augusta. The set was furnished with specific details to reflect the character of the household. For example, the place’s lavish, textured furnishings stand out, with velvet fabrics, colored wallpapers, and peacock feathers that represent her extravagant nature. A line of leather books in Harry’s study was sourced from antique dealers. In the same vein, other set pieces, like the Federation stone for the New Year’s Eve party, were added to give the show a more period-accurate look. With all this, the crew restored the house to its early 20th-century roots, making the experience more realistic and immersive for viewers.
Read More: Where Was My Brilliant Career Filmed?
