Glaurung writes: Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh were at the Skyline Gondola park in Queenstown today – Peter and Fran went past me on the chairlift for the Skyline Luge twice. Perhaps they were scouting locations? Or merely sightseeing.
From skyline.co.nz: Reputed to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, the gondola carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex located on Bob’s Peak. Situated an easy five minute walk from central Queenstown, the gondola is an all weather tourist attraction in its own right. Sit back and relax as the views from the gondola unfold while you journey to the Skyline complex. The best vistas in the region are found here, spread out in a spectacular 220 degree panorama. Numerous observation decks around the complex offer breathtaking views of Coronet Peak & The Remarkables, over Queenstown and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks. Truly magnificent and awe-inspiring.
Hundreds of cast and crew for The Hobbit films have flown to Dunedin International Airport seemingly bound for Otago film sets. An airport spokesman said four chartered flights carrying 320 cast and crew arrived, starting on Thursday night with a BAe146 Whisper Jet from Wellington. Today (Friday) another three flights arrived, two from Wellington, and one from Taupo, also on chartered Whisper Jets. A large contingent of rental cars had been organised for the arrivals to travel, but he did not have further details. The spokesman said he had not known the large group was coming until a couple of days ago. More..
On this weeks episode of Hobbit in 5 we take a look at some new amazing set pics of Hobbiton. We also have the mysterious set in Wakatipu nearing completion. We continue to track the Hobbit cast and crew, LOTR collectable items and MGM and Netflix partner up to distribute The Hobbit.
Ross was able to snap quite a few photos of the crew arriving in the Golden Bay area to begin filming. He provides more info: One passenger said they were heading to Golden Bay for a week and were to start work today(Sat) however it has been raining there so far this morning. They arrived in Nelson at 4pm Friday and left in rental cars and vans. Nelson helicopter companies have also been providing plenty of air support. Filming from the 3D rig also took place over the Pelorus River area on Friday.
Pelorus River
The Pelorus River is a river at the northern end of South Island of New Zealand in the region of Marlborough. It flows from the Richmond Range into Pelorus Sound. This area is fantastic for camping and is renowned for its magnificent river swimming where the Pelorus River runs through a gorge.
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.
NZed writes: The Wellywood Sign has been put up overnight in secret in Wellington! Have you guys seen this video?!? Thought you might like to see it as it’s been making the rounds in the news in NZ.
Xoanon here, this is of course impossible and…hilarious.
Glaurung writes: Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh were at the Skyline Gondola park in Queenstown today – Peter and Fran went past me on the chairlift for the Skyline Luge twice. Perhaps they were scouting locations? Or merely sightseeing.
