In the later television series, Claire is more of a tomboy. In this tele-movie, Tess is the one who is the tomboy.
In this tele-movie, Tess is Black haired, while Claire is blond. In the later television series, it is the opposite.
The 1996 "McLeod's Daughters" tele-movie was originally meant and intended to be a pilot for this television series.
This later television series of the same name which was first broadcast in 2001 was in development ever since this earlier "McLeod's Daughters" (1996) tele-movie had first premiered and been announced a success.
The first episode of the later Australian television series of the same name was made and first broadcast about five years after this "McLeod's Daughters" (1996) tele-feature.