Zac Efron has been hard at work filming his new Netflix eco-travel show, Down to Earth, in Australia.
On Monday, the actor, 33, was shooting scenes at an ‘urban farm’ suitability installation, created by zero-waste champion, Joost Bakker, in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
On hand to lend her support was the actor’s Australian model girlfriend, Vanessa Valladares, 26.
Working: Zac Efron (centre) has been hard at work filming his new Netflix eco-travel show, Down to Earth, in Australia
Vanessa was casually dressed in a loose pink t-shirt in a neon tone, with an elaborate design on the front.
She added a pair of black, chunky sneakers worn with white socks, and maroon gym tights.
Zac was also dressed down, choosing an olive green t-shirt and a pair of black shorts.
Eco friendly: On Monday, the actor, 33, was shooting scenes at an ‘urban farm’ suitability installation, created by zero-waste champion, Joost Bakker, in Melbourne’s Federation Square
Lady love: On hand to lend her support was the actor’s Australian model girlfriend, Vanessa Valladares, 26 (left)
Think pink: Vanessa was casually dressed in a loose pink t-shirt in a neon tone, with an elaborate design on the front
Casual: She added a pair of black, chunky sneakers worn with white socks, and maroon gym tights
Chill: Zac was also dressed down, choosing an olive green t-shirt and a pair of black shorts
Run for it: He added a pair of white sneakers to the ensemble, as well as black socks, and had his hair meticulously styled
He added a pair of white sneakers to the ensemble, as well as black socks, and had his hair meticulously styled.
The High School Musical star sat down to a meal at the location, with a salad placed in a white bowl in front of him.
He appeared to tuck in on camera, as Vanessa had also enjoyed a meal, but sat down to eat hers before he began shooting.
Rabbit food: The High School Musical star sat down to a meal at the location, with a salad placed in a white bowl in front of him
Munchies: He appeared to tuck in on camera, as Vanessa had also enjoyed a meal, but sat down to eat hers before he began shooting
Chats: The Lucky One star inspected nuts and other food items in a bowl, as he was talked through what he was consuming
he Lucky One star inspected nuts and other food items in a bowl, as he was talked through what he was consuming.
Zac was shown around the grounds, inspecting various plants and what appeared to be a wooden hive.
He seemed to be in great spirits, smiling widely as he was introduced to various workers at the project.
Walk around: Zac was shown around the grounds, inspecting various plants and what appeared to be a wooden hive
All smiles: He seemed to be in great spirits, smiling widely as he was introduced to various workers at the project
Chats: Zac stopped to chat with the film crew in between takes
Deep in concentration: He listened closely, taking in the information on offer
The Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile actor vanished into the crops at the location, laughing with a group of men as he wandered through corn stalks.
The appearance comes after Australian model and filmmaker Ben Waddell claimed Netflix stole his idea for Zac’s Down to Earth documentary series.
Waddell said the eco-travel show, now filming its second season in Australia, is an almost exact copy of the concept he shopped around the US in 2018.
Shown around: The We Are Your Friends actor was given a tour of the premises
Children of the corn: Zac vanished into the crops at the location, laughing with a group of men as he wandered through corn stalks
Giggles: The Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile actor laughed heartily when one of the crew made a joke
Staying close: A cameraman stayed close to the actor as he moved through the space
Eco-friendly: The installtion demonstrates how an eco-friendly zone can be established even in a bustling city
American producers balked at the idea because they wanted a celebrity as the host, and Waddell returned to Australia to shoot a local version.
Then suddenly Efron’s show appeared on the streaming platform last year without him even realising it was in production.
‘I was sitting on my couch during lockdown and turned on Netflix and it was trending as the second-biggest show in the US,’ he told Daily Mail Australia from New York.
Blooming lovely! The American actor stood alongside a very healthy-looking cabbage
Demonstration: He was given a crash course on how to create an urban farm
So green! The space is in the middle of Melbourne’s CBD but is blooming beautifully
Screaming: In the show, Zac travels around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien to find sustainable ways to live
Out and about: The Charlie St. Cloud actor was recently in South Australia
Shooting all over: He also filmed scenes for the show in the picturesque region
Down Under: Zac has been in Australian since last year and appears to have made Down Under his home
‘I fell out of my chair, I was shocked. It was brutal, gut-wrenching.
‘Now they’re making a season 2 in Australia just to kick me when I’m down.’
The Australian presenter and production partner Whitney Smith shot a pilot for ‘Down to Earth with Ben Waddell’ at an eco-retreat in Mexico in July 2017.
On the move: The star has taken girlfriend Vanessa on his adventures around Australia with him
Close: The couple have been together for over a year after meeting in Byron Bay, NSW
Woes: The appearance comes after Australian model and filmmaker Ben Waddell claimed Netflix stole his idea for Zac’s Down to Earth documentary series
The Australian presenter and production partner Whitney Smith shot a pilot for ‘Down to Earth with Ben Waddell’ at an eco-retreat in Mexico in July 2017.
After it was not picked up in the US, he began plans to shoot in Australia but had to shut down discussions with Channel 10 after seeing the Efron version in June.
Waddell, through his production company Ghost Donkey Media, is now suing Netflix and Down to Earth makers The Nacelle Company.
Claims: Waddell said the eco-travel show, now filming its second season in Australia, is an almost exact copy of the concept he shopped around the US in 2018