Wētā Workshop Experiences Tour - Wellington
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Step behind-the-scenes
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, Avatar and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
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
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photography is strictly prohibited in all tour spaces, unless specified by the tour guide.
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them on board and disembark.
There is no luggage storage in the Weta Cave or at our tour spaces.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Professional guided Wētā Workshop Experience
Guided return transfers
What To Expect
Want to experience the many sides of Wētā Workshop’s creativity? The Wētā Workshop Experience showcases the making of movie effects and props, from armour to weapons, creatures to costumes, make-up to miniatures. Meet your guide at the Wētā Cave store to begin your journey through the movie-magic world of Wētā Workshop! Explore props, costumes, and cool stuff From The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to Avatar andDistrict 9: learn about props, costumes and creatures created for your favourite films. Interact with cool stuff from our creative departments and catch an artist at work on our tour stage. Enter our world of miniatures and modelmaking Discover the filmmaking technique of miniature effects and learn how they are built for hit TV and film productions. Wander through monumental miniatures from Thunderbirds Are Go and see how we fit an entire island, cityscape and mansion under one roof!
Options
12pm Wētā Workshop Experience
1pm Wētā Workshop Experience
10am Wētā Workshop Experience
2pm Wētā Workshop Experience
11am Wētā Workshop Experience
Reviews
777 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Disappointing
Curious45551790113,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I’m a huge fan of LOTR and was really excited about this tour having watched the “making of LOTR” videos and having visited Hobbiton earlier in the week. The tour felt really dragged out with only 3 rooms of props to view (two tiny). One room of tin foil sculptures (random) and another with excessively long video of Dracula actor getting make up. Excessive talk about how wonderful Weta is and no photos permitted except in one room. Sadly not worth the time or cost. Skip.
Go see the magic!
jeffbA2141MA,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One word: FANTASTIC! The tour is a film aficionado's dream. From the secrets of prosthetic makeup, to the collection of arms and armor actually used in films, to the chance to take a peek into the Workshop itself while the artisans do their thing, this is an incredible opportunity to see how the magic is made. Special shout-out to our delightful guide Fynn -- she really made the tour sparkle for us!
Top Pick
Krysten R,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was the highlight of our New Zealand trip. Any sci fi, horror or fantasy fan should go and see this amazing workshop.
Weta and LOTR - must-do
DinnerClub,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Weta Caves experience was interesting and impressive. The behind the scenes was informative and a must-do. Do note, the focus is on LOTR and not on all other projects/films Weta have been involved with.
Creating memories with our family
846kaylau,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Enjoyed our experience at Weta. We are not huge movie buffs but we learnt alot and enjoyed getting a look behind the scenes (we are a family of 5, 2 adults 3 children 4,8 and 11yo). This experience would defintely suit movie goers and those who know a bit about what Weta do or have done already. Our tour guide was amazing and she had bright pink hair (so I am sure you know who she was). She was knowledgable and attentive and friendly to everyone. We would still recommend to others especially those who love movies!!! Thank you!
Not just for middle earth fans
91SusanT91,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I learnt more about all the films Weta have been involved with and some great examples of their work. The hands on experience was a lot of fun.
Go for the Lord of the Rings, but you’ll leave having enjoyed the artists/craftspeople above anything.
Caroline R,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Go for the Lord of the Rings, but you’ll leave having enjoyed the artists/craftspeople above anything. We did this tour, and you will absolutely see some of the beautiful things that were created for film. The merch store is also gorgeous, and there are some really fun props to handle. But what I came away with was the can-do meritocratic arts and crafts scene in NZ, the composers, modellers, prosthetics artists, robotics, practical effects, weaponry artists and everyone else there that we met or heard of their stories. You go for the craft and you leave remembering the people behind it. Such a great day. Thanks, folks x
Recommended
Daydream43856436507,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very nice! Curious to be able to touch some props and know who makes them! Even the shop is worth a visit! Recommended to buy collectibles, especially themed "Lord of the Rings"
A must if you loved Lord of the Rings!
Companion02268522934,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing. Being a very big Lord of the Rings (LotR) fan, I inspected more of the LotR props (such as weapons and armor) and found out so much about them, however there are also non LotR props there too. It was also interesting seeing the whole process required to make some of the movie magic. Our tour guide was fantastic being able to take time for individual questions with our group of about 20 of us (including kids), so it wasn't too crowded - it is very family friendly after all, but there are some parts of the tour that little kids may find slightly scary. I went during the weekend so unfortunately I could not see some people at work behind the scenes - but knowing that this workshop's staff are people who love the craft, and not just a mascot, you could tell the passion they have, and learn so much from it all. Well worth it the price and time. Their merch store is also amazing! I only wish I got to take photos inside for myself.
Become Frodo or Sam and star in your own adventure
JHMTTL,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Weta Workshop is a must for Lord of the Rings (LOR) fans. Book your tour in advance online. The tours last 90 minutes. Weta Workshop does not have it's own parking lot. However, there is plenty of free on-street parking nearby. Tours include how LOR movies and props are made. There is plenty of hands-on displays and props. You can wear helmets, steel vests and swing swords that were used in the LOR movies.
Related Experiences
Operated by Weta Workshop