All the trains in the movies were hauled by either GE Dash 9 or GE Evolution Series locomotives, but these locomotives were only introduced to Pilbara region between mid 90s and 2011. In between 1971 and 1979, Hamersley Iron railroad mostly used Alco, and the livery back in 70s was yellow and blue.
In a flashback scene to 1971, Jaws (1975) is being shown at the drive-in. Jaws wasn't released in Australia until November 1975.
Much of the action takes place in the pub, but nobody is smoking. All pubs, especially in mining towns, would have been blue with smoke haze in those days.
DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE signs as seen on the back of the workers' bus were not used in WA on long vehicles until the early 1980s. There were no such signs in 1971.
Peto sings along to Rose Tattoo's song 'We Can't Be Beaten' which was not released until 1983.
Most of the Caterpillar equipment being worked on, parked, or operated, including the mining truck, motor grader, wheel and track loaders, are all newer models that were not in production during the time setting of the movie. While the 777 series mining truck was first introduced in 1974, those pictured are newer and the "Cat" logo and model numbers on the machines are all later production as well.
Vanno's child has does not age from the beginning of Red Dog's journey to when Red Dog returns years later and the community register him.
Nobody in Dampier ages or changes hairstyles over the 8 years this film takes place.