Lee writes: The rumor in Golden Bay is that The Hobbit will be filming at Harwood’s Hole in Abel Tasman National Park, this weekend and into next week. One local, who was trying to book a cycling race there, was told by DOC that it was already booked — and it’s widely known that the production is coming, and has booked up all the nice accommodation in the Bay (of which there isn’t much).
About Harwoods Hole
Hidden in the limestone landscapes on Takaka Hill is a massive sinkhole 15m in diameter and dropping to a depth of 200m known as Harwoods Hole. A short half-day track leads from the boundary of Abel Tasman National Park to the edge of the hole. Cavers often abseil into its depths and emerge out from a cave system near Takaka. After checking out the sink hole, go to the lookout which overlooks The Gorge Creek, some 538m straight down. All up, it’s an impressive trip.
