In a video that has since gone viral, Hemsworth shared an encounter with American hitchhiker and musician, Scott Hildebrand. Hemsworth and his trainer slash best mate Luke Zocchi were cruising down the highway when they spotted Hildebrand on the side of the road, looking for a lift to Byron Bay. Keen to help out, Hemsworth and his entourage pulled in and picked up the lucky hitcher.
"Picked up a hitchhiker, wasn’t a serial killer which we were stoked about and just happened to be a kick ass musician Scott Hildebrand," Hemsworth wrote on Instagram.
As if hitching a ride with the world's biggest star (physically and by reputation) wasn't epic enough, Hemsworth decided to switch modes of transport half way through the ride, swapping from his SUV to a helicopter.
“They said, ‘We’re gonna make a quick stop and switch vehicles,’" explained Hildebrand to radio station Nova 919, "and at that point I was like, ‘Oh, I can help pitch for gas’ … and they’re like, ‘You’re not gonna want to do that, it’s gonna be like four grand for that. That was when I was like, ‘Who are you guys?’”
While there's every chance this is another brilliant piece of publicity for tourism Australia (following on from Hemsworth's fake Dundee movie, teased during this year's SuperBowl), Hildebrand apparently didn't know the identity of his mystery driver, reportedly unsure about the whole situation due to the cameras that were filming the lift. However who could say no to a helicopter ride over the beautiful beaches of Byron Bay.
While the chances of getting picked up by a Hollywood legend are extremely slim, it's obviously possible if this story is anything to go by. According to Forbes, to increase your chances of getting a ride (although probably not in a helicopter) hitch close to gas stations, in areas where cars drive slower, and where there's plenty of space for cars to pull over.
