Orlando BloomFrom odt.co.nz: One of the stars of Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit was spotted in Queenstown yesterday. The Otago Daily Times understands Orlando Bloom lunched at Amisfield, near Arrowtown, before being spotted at Reading Cinemas in Queenstown. Bloom is reprising his role as Legolas, an elf, in the two-part prequel to The Lord of the Rings. Filming will be done in several places in Otago, including the Wakatipu.

Miss Awen writes: I arrived in Glenorchy today and could not find any accommodation, because it’s all fully booked for the crew of the Hobbit. I also found out, that they are filming now at the other side of the lake, half an hour from Glenorchy. The stars stay in Queenstown and they are flown on set by helicopter.

One of the biggest things to happen in the Strath Taieri and Maniototo areas of Otago in recent years has tongues wagging – but only those of outsiders.

Six helicopters, a giant marquee, security guards and dozens of trailers have been parked in a paddock east of Hyde for the past four days.

But ask the locals why the trailers are there, and most reply “can’t say” or “don’t know”.

However, use the words “hobbit”, “film set” and “Sir Peter Jackson”, and sly, knowing smiles cross their faces.

Filming for Sir Peter’s two-part Hobbit series started in Wellington in March and, while other locations have been closely guarded, they include areas around the Strath Taieri and Queenstown. More..

The Beard sends this in: I see on TORN that there seems to be Hobbit action in Dunedin, so maybe the filming here in Golden Bay is second unit, or maybe they got creative to deal with iffy weather here. The word around the Bay is that they are filming at two locations: Canaan Downs at Harwood’s Hole, and at a private sheep station at Kaihoka Lakes. I was actually at the latter place yesterday, on a social visit with a friend, but there was no sign of filming and the owner apparently told my friend that they were filming at Canaan Downs that day.

In other words– lots of talk about the Hobbit here, but not much fact to share other than the supposed locations. I do believe the Kaihoka Lakes location, as this is a farm family who would have no reason to make up the fact that their property is being used!

Ross sends along some exclusive photos from Pelorus River and Pelorus Bridge area.

The Pelorus River is situated halfway between Nelson and Blenheim on state highway 6 at the top of the South Island. It is the first time any of the 3 Foot 7 films have had a location in the Marlborough province. The Bridge over the river is set in prime native bush which has many walks and a small camping ground where the local bird life proliferate, their calls breaking the background river noise. Continue reading “NZ Photos from Pelorus River Region”