Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Journey from Wellington to Wētā Workshop—and back again—in our dedicated shuttle.
With daily tours departing from Wakefield Street in the city centre, we invite you to sit back and enjoy stunning harbour views, insider stories of film and creativity and even spot the iconic Wellywood sign on the way to our creative home in Miramar.
Wētā Workshop has been making cool stuff for film and TV since 1987. Our crew has brought to life beloved characters and epic special effects for iconic blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar.
Step into Wētā Workshop Experiences and explore a world of creativity, physical effects and movie magic on a guided tour through our creative home base.
You'll learn about the making of props, creatures and costumes created for your favourite films. Get hands-on with unique pieces from our many departments, catch our artists at work and discover how we’ve grown into the award-winning workshop you see today.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour takes place in a functioning workshop, so it can get a little drafty. We recommend bringing an extra warm layer or two.
There is no luggage storage in the transfer vehicle, Wētā Cave or at in tour space.
Photography is strictly prohibited in all tour spaces, unless specified by the tour guide.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Your guided transfers depart from the drop-off and pick-up zone at 217 Wakefield Street (located by Tākina) We recommend arriving at the pick-up point 15-min before your booked departure time.
Weta Workshop Experiences
Journey from Wellington to the Wētā Cave in a dedicated shuttle. Here, you'll begin your journey through the movie-magic world of Wētā Workshop! From your favourite films to larger-than-life exhibitions: during our Wētā Workshop Tour learn about the practical effects created for The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, the record-breaking Gallipoli: The scale of our war and more! Wander through Manufacture Alley, interacting with the tools and technology of our creative departments. Hear our tales of filmmaking, see artists at work on our tour stage, and learn secrets of movie magic!
What‘s Included
Guided return transfers from central Wellington - live commentary on board
Professional guided Wētā Workshop Experience
Does not include hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Options
10:15AM Wētā Workshop Transfer
12:15PM Wētā Workshop Transfer
1:15PM Wētā Workshop Transfer
9:15AM Wētā Workshop Transfer
Reviews
167 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must do experience for Middle Earth fans
Sightseer11476636714,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience. Great, friendly, knowledgeable tour guide. Was surprised to learn just how many projects Weta Workshop had been involved in. The cave was great too, again with knowlegeable, charismatic staff. The shop also had a good variety of items available in a wide range of price points. Would definitely highly recommend this tour to anyone. Might look to do one of the hands on workshops in Auckland next.
More than just Lord of the Rings
James M,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Pick up by driver Derek. He was enthusiastic and informative on the way to the Cave. Extra kudos for stopping at the art deco cinema and letting us spend a short time looking around. Ben was a great and equally enthusiastic tour guide at the Cave. A great opportunity to see some of the effects and props and general behind the scenes. The history of Weta was also very good and I was pleased it wasn't Lord of the Rings centric. They have done so much more and it was good to see that represented. Don't worry, still plenty of Lord of the Rings!
Don't hesitate .... go!
Dawdragon,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fun thing to do! The imagination, skill and passion of Wētā team is clear from the get-go. The mini-bus driver, the tour guide and the specialists displaying the techniques knew their stuff and loved sharing all the nerdy bits in exciting and colourful ways. The exhibition spaces are crammed full and you get a peak of the actual workshops. There is something for everybody. Wētā shared their movie magic - well done!
If the chance to visit arises take it!
chrissy70,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Travelled to Wellington with a tour group and I was very happy to be able to book the tour with transport. Booking on line was straight forward and we were picked up on time by Derek. The drive was very informative got to see studios, green screen areas and the wonderful Roxy cinema. Arrived for the tour and we were not disappointed. So much to see so much information and great merchandise to buy. An incredible couple of hours very well orchestrated and being able to handle some of the actual items used on screen. Doc Foil was fascinating to listen to and the foil sculptures have given me a new way to occupy some downtime. The passion these guys have for their work is admirable. Thank you for allowing people in to see everything you do.
Informative
denisdallafontana64,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great experience and inspire to the world of movie props
It was Fantastic!!!!
ChristinaM802,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was excellent. From the shuttle driver who picked us up to our tour guide at Weta Workshop to the exhibis, it was all fantastic. It was so cool to see the props, makeup and special effects and hear the behind the scenes stories. If you are a LOTR fan, this is a must see/ must do experience.
I enjoyed the bus ride to...
Susie J,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00I enjoyed the bus ride to Weta as our driver told us some interesting information about the local area. The Weta tour guide was quite good and it was interesting to find out how the masks and props were made. There were some good photo opportunities outside with different giant characters from Lord of the Rings Movie.
Workshop and ride over to Miramar
lynnf900,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We enjoyed the workshop tour—fun exhibits and good information. There were 7 others in the shared van with my husband and I and, maybe just based on group, very cozy. And not as much commentary/information during ride as I had expected. Driver was polite, professional and on time though. (Just wondered if we should have just taken an Uber or taxi over there). Again, workshop tour was good.
The Weta Workshop
OnAir558066,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a unique experience and it was great to see the behind the scenes working of the workshop and get to speak to some of the staff who had worked on projects. The creative minds and ideas were on full display.
Many memories but few possible photos
fbv3844,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Really unfortunate that in the first rooms we visited we can not take pictures because of copyright because the reproduction of Sauron was just dazzling
From NZ$105.00
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