This film was to be the flagship in a ten picture deal set up with the Hemdale Film Corporation by producer Antony I. Ginnane. However, when Hemdale pulled out of the production the other nine pictures ended up being suspended indefinitely.
This film is considered an "Ozploitation" (Australian exploitation) picture.
Brian Hannant had been drawn to the rock formation at Wilpena Point in South Australia while making Mad Max 2 : Le Défi (1981). This inspired him to write a script with John Baxter in the early 1980s. According to Baxter the script was originally called "Time Rider," about a geologist who, while investigating magnetic anomalies around Wilpena, South Australia, encounters a man from the future who is a scout sent back in time to find a home for his people, pursued by the Jen-Diki tribe.
In the book 'Australian Film 1978-1994,' Tony Ayres states that "the film was recut and partially reshot after Brian Hannant left the film. He disowns much of what is left."
Carrie Fisher swapped roles with Nikki Coghill before shooting started.