Eric Bana was the first choice to play Xander Cage in xXx (2002), but turned it down to do this movie.
Last acting role of Belinda Emmett.
Much of the cast consists of residents from the town of Mudgee where this movie was filmed, some, such as car salesman Ross Granata are shown in their real life occupations.
According to visual effects house Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) in South Australia, their challenge for this film was working "...on a number of effects for 'The Nugget'. These included creating 'fingers of God' as the Nugget is discovered. A river of gold was created in Softimage as the nugget magically escapes and finds its true home. Day shots were magically turned into stormy nights, and along with the usual wire removal, we also managed to create and animate a CG cockatoo in Softimage."