He’s the Hollywood heart-throb who is used to being surrounded by adoring fans wherever he goes.
But as he films Stan Original movie Gold, Zac Efron has been able to experience a completely different way of life in the remote South Australian outback.
In the past few weeks, the 33-year-old actor has been shooting in sparsely populated areas outside Adelaide, including one town with a population of just 16 people.
New horizons: As he films Stan Original movie Gold, Zac Efron (left) has been able to experience a completely different way of life in the remote South Australian outback. He was pictured on set with his girlfriend Vanessa Valladares (right) last week
After flying in from Sydney on November 6, Zac was recently pictured in a remote SA town just last week, alongside his girlfriend Vanessa Valladares.
The couple appeared in high spirits as they enjoyed a workout in the near-deserted location.
At one stage, two fans couldn’t believe their luck as they greeted the High School Musical star in such an unlikely place.
While it’s not known where the cast and crew of Gold are located now, they were previously staying 400km away from Adelaide, near Leigh Creek.
The former coal-mining town had a population of just 245 in 2016, and now offers little besides a railway station and camel-back tours through the nearby historic town of Beltana.
Quaint: Zac and the crew have filmed scenes around the 16-person town of Parachilna
Middle of nowhere: The Prairie Hotel is the only substantial building in the area; in true outback style, the owners serve locally sourced feral meat, including camel sausage, kangaroo fillet and emu filet mignon, all on one plate
Into the deep: The town, which is five hours north of Adelaide, is so small that visitors can walk from one side to the other in minutes
Location: Parachilna was one of the locations for the critically acclaimed Australian film Rabbit Proof Fence in 2002
Zac and the crew have also filmed scenes in private properties around the 16-person town of Parachilna.
The town, which is five hours north of Adelaide, is so small that visitors can walk from one side to the other in minutes.
The Prairie Hotel is the only substantial building in the area; in true outback style, the owners serve locally sourced feral meat, including camel sausage, kangaroo fillet and emu filet mignon, all on one plate.
Parachilna was also one of the locations for the critically acclaimed Australian film Rabbit Proof Fence in 2002.
Nothingness: The Gold crew have also been shooting in Nilpena, which has a population of zero and was the backdrop for the 2013 movie Tracks
History: Fossils found in the area featured in David Attenborough’s First Life program in 2010
The Gold crew have also been shooting in Nilpena, which has a population of zero and was the backdrop for the 2013 movie Tracks.
Nilpena is a vast area of 800 square kilometres which operates as a sheep station. It’s the embodiment of the Aussie outback, with acres of parched valleys stretching towards the sunset from the western slopes of the Flinders Ranges.
Fossils found in the area featured in David Attenborough’s First Life program in 2010.
While filming continues on Gold, the Adelaide Advertiser claims that Zac could be back in Byron Bay in time for Christmas.
Coming soon: Several days ago, Zac shared behind-the-scenes photos from the set of Gold, in which he plays a competitive gold fossicker
Several days ago, Zac shared behind-the-scenes photos from the set of Gold, in which he plays a competitive gold fossicker.
The movie tells the story of two drifters who stumble across the biggest gold nugget ever found.
Production was briefly halted at the end of November when Adelaide was declared a coronavirus hotspot, but resumed once the lockdown was lifted.
Zac took over the lead role from Sam Worthington, who was originally slated to star in the movie. It also features actors Susie Porter and Anthony Hayes.
Back to see Vanessa? While filming continues on Gold, the Adelaide Advertiser claims that Zac could be back in Byron Bay in time for Christmas