A quick list of lesser known films that you should be able to stream. I’ve provided the Justwatch links as that is hopefully an up-to-date listing as to which service currently has it. Will initially do separate pages of similar films to keep it easier to read.
Wake in Fright (1971)
“Wake in Fright is the story of John Grant, a bonded teacher who arrives in the rough outback mining town of Bundanyabba planning to stay overnight before catching the plane to Sydney, but as one night stretches into several he plunges headlong into his own destruction.” https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/wake-in-fright
Aptly described as the film that the Australian Tourist Commission did NOT want you to watch. Ockerism and over-friendly (passive-aggressive) mateship dominate this sweat-encrusted masterpiece. This was made about 50 years ago!
Warning: don’t let the above put you off. But do be warned there is a kangaroo hunt in the film. It is actual footage and I can’t watch that bit. It is well signalled, a character says something like “we are going on a kangaroo hunt”. So you can jump forward.
Long Weekend (1978)
“When a suburban couple go camping for the weekend at a remote beach, they discover that nature isn’t in an accommodating mood.” https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/long-weekend
Their marriage is in trouble, so he basically forces her to go camping to perhaps patch things up. They go to an isolated beach, apparently somewhere here in Victoria. They are a tad careless with the way they interact with the environment and it’s creatures. It would seem that Mother Nature isn’t happy with this at all..
Hard to define “gothic” in a word or two, but for me it is sorta dark, supernatural and moody feel. Sums up this forgotten gem just so well. There are 3 main actors in the story here; 2 humans and … nature.
Walkabout (1971)
“Under the pretense of having a picnic, a geologist takes his teenage daughter and 6-year-old son into the Australian outback and attempts to shoot them. When he fails, he turns the gun on himself, and the two city-bred children must contend with harsh wilderness alone. They are saved by a chance encounter with an Aborigine boy who shows them how to survive, and in the process underscores the disharmony between nature and modern life.” https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/walkabout
A beautiful and extraordinary film. Almost no dialogue and yet you hardly notice as the imagery and story carry you along. David Gulpilil’s first movie, working alongside a teenage Jenny Agutter and a young Luc Roeg (the son of the film’s Director, Nic).