Filming wraps on Rosehaven season three

Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor in a promotional photo for
 Rosehaven, which is filmed entirely in Tasmania.

PRINCIPAL photography for the third season of Rosehaven concluded yesterday with a day of filming at the old Blair St kindergarten in New Norfolk. Despite losing the main set location to Oatlands for season two of the ABC TV comedy, there continued to be a lot of filming around New Norfolk for both season two and three.

While viewers mainly associate the fictional town of Rosehaven with the Huon Valley town of Geeveston, many of the locations filmed for all three seasons so far have been in the Derwent Valley. In New Norfolk alone, locations in High St, Circle St, Pioneer Ave, Hamilton Rd, Sixth Ave, Blair St and surrounds have been hives of Rosehaven-related activity during the program's filming schedule this winter.

There has been speculation that the Lachlan property that served as the home of real estate agent Daniel McCallum (Luke McGregor) and his mother Barbara (Kris McQuade) will not feature in season three, but that a house in New Norfolk will be Daniel's new home. Big changes are predicted  in the personal lives of Daniel and his best friend Emma (Celia Pacquola) as well as a real estate opportunity that threatens to divide the town.

Luke McGregor being interviewed in the Derwent Valley
Council social rooms last year.

“We’re very happy to be back for season three. Will a meteorite hit the town this season? Or will it fly harmlessly overhead and none of the characters will see or reference it? Stay tuned!” McGregor and Paquola said recently.

The Tasmanian Government provided $500,000 to support the production of the third season of Rosehaven, which was filmed at various locations around the south, including Oatlands, Geeveston, New Norfolk, Longley, Richmond, Seven Mile Beach, Mountain River, Brighton and Chigwell.

The government also invested $950,000 in the first two seasons. Arts Minister Elise Archer said this year's production was expected to result in about $2 million being spent in the local economy, with  more than 50 local cast and crew employed.

The Derwent Valley Salvation Army headquarters became the
"Green Valley Council" for season three of Rosehaven.

"As well as providing economic benefits for the State, Rosehaven has created invaluable professional development and job opportunities for Tasmanian screen practitioners," Mrs Archer said. "Through Screen Tasmania’s attachment and trainee program, eight talented Tasmanians are working on set and alongside industry professionals across a range of different roles within this season’s production. This invaluable experience will help develop our Tasmanian talent and keep skills in the state," she said.

Rosehaven season three will premiere later this year on ABC TV. It will also be seen in the US on  Sundance TV.