It is more rugby, racing and beer territory, but Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt is believed to have been in South Otago.
The Fight Club and Ocean’s Eleven star is in New Zealand for production of the action movie Heart of the Beast, which will be shot around Queenstown over the next few weeks.
Rumours have swirled about Pitt and his presence in the resort, but so far positive sightings are thin on the ground.
The New Zealand Herald reported Pitt, 61, has heavy security but had made a trip to South Otago to star in an advertisement.
Pitt is a global ambassador for De’Longhi, an Italian kitchen appliance company that makes coffee machines.
There have been rumours in South Otago about the actor, but no-one has said they had seen him.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he had heard the talk of the actor being in the district, but nothing had been confirmed.
"I have heard about it but no-one has recognised him. You would recognise him if you saw him, you would hope," he said.
"We’re an A-list destination so it is appropriate to have an A-list actor here.
"I can’t remember any actor of his standing being here. We can leave that to Queenstown and can have our beautiful spot to ourselves and other tourists."
Cafes and businesses contacted in Papatowai and Owaka also confirmed the rumours had been going around the traps about Pitt.
But he had not been spotted.
It may be a long wait before the advertisement is released to confirm South Otago was starring alongside Pitt.
Heart of the Beast is about a former Navy Seal and his retired combat dog attempting to return to civilisation after suffering an accident deep in the wilderness.
Pitt’s next movie, F1, in which he plays a retired Formula One driver who gets back on track to mentor a rookie, hits screens in June. — APL
