Hobbits are moving on from Tasman region

The Hobbit film crew is leaving at the end of this week after flying under the radar during filming in the Tasman region.

Accommodation in Golden Bay has been largely booked out by production company 3 foot 7 since the film crew arrived last week and helicopters have been seen buzzing in the skies above.

The crew has been filming on 80 hectares of privately-owned land at Canaan Downs, where Luminate Festival is held, and on surrounding Department of Conservation land.

David Hall, who lives on the Takaka Hill, said he had not seen or heard much other than helicopters and more vehicles on the road than usual.

"It's all sort of tucked away out of sight," he said.

The crew has been filming, via helicopter, around the Pelorus River and Mt Owen and the Nelson Mail understands they were also filming somewhere near the coast in Golden Bay.

Rex Bowden – a chef at The Wholemeal Cafe – said he served a table of four "Hobbits" the other day.

He said they came in for lunch, but he didn't know if they were cast or film crew members.

"I didn't recognise any of them, but one looked a bit Hobbit-y," he said.

Motueka i-Site staff member Elise Vollweiler said there had been "rogue sightings of Hobbits" in Motueka, but she had not seen anything herself.

"I don't know where they're hiding," she said.

The film crew and cast members are expected to return to the region next month.