The Amazing Race Australia begins filming at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today (Source: Benjamin Nicoll via Twitter)

The Amazing Race Australia has gone into production, with teams spotted at Melbourne Airport, and backpacks lined up outside the home of football, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Production crew from the Seven Network series were reportedly moving people away from the scene, particularly those taking photographs. Staff at the venue indicated that they had signed confidentiality clauses surrounding the events taking place.

Seven backpacks were photographed lined up outside the MCG. The number raised the question of whether there were only seven teams in the local version - down from the usual eleven teams in the US series - but a source told The Spy Report that eleven labelled team cars were parked outside the venue.

The observer added that he had seen participating teams at Melbourne Airport at around 3:00pm (AEDT).

A host for the series is yet to be named, though an announcement is expected in coming days. A number of Seven Network personalities including Daniel Macpherson, Tom Harley, Ben Cousins, Tom Williams and Luke Jacobz have been floated as potential hosts, as well as host of the US series, Phil Keoghan.

An airdate is yet to be announced, but The Amazing Race Australia is expected to premiere in 2011.

Media Spy discussion: The Amazing Race Australia