Wētā Workshop

Located just outside of Wellington city in Miramar lives Wētā Workshop. Housed in a 65,000-square-foot space, this multi-award-winning design and effects studio helps directors and producers from all over the world turn their film scripts into major international blockbusters.

As a gateway into filmmaking creativity, you’ll get to see their handiwork in the likes of The Hobbit, King Kong and Avatar (to name but a few), or you can get up close and personal with the props on a Wētā Workshop Experience. This 1.5 hour guided tour of the studio, manufacturing space and the famous Wētā Cave is pretty busy, so it's worth booking ahead. There's also the option of adding on return transport from the city, and a two-course lunch at Karaka Café on the waterfront.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into treasure such as the many Oscars on display in the conference room and the opportunity to learn about the artistry and creativity behind making a blockbuster trilogy like Lord of the Rings with everything from movie effects, armour and weapons to creatures and costumes. Wētā Workshop hosts creative workshops too, from mixing fake blood in the Intro to SFX to designing and dyeing a leather keepsake in the Intro to Leather Work, which can be done on their own or combined with a tour experience.