Weta Workshop
21 Camperdown Road, Miramar, Wellington, Wellington
From fantastical costumes and prosthetics to large-scale props and weaponry, 3D models, and animatronics, New Zealand’s Weta Workshop is a one-stop-shop for movie special effects. Most famous for their Academy Award-winning work on theLord of the Rings films, the studio has also worked on films includingGodzilla,Avatar, andSpiderman.
Movie fans can experience the Weta Workshop on a range of guided tours. Enjoy behind-the-scenes access to the Weta Cave, and discover the studios and techniques used to create props and costumes for films such asKing Kong andThe Chronicles of Narnia; then head to the Miniature Stage to see how TV shows likeThunderbirds Are Go are made. Hands-on workshops are also available, giving creative types a chance to try out special-effects makeup, make leather and chainmail, or sculpt a 3D character. A popular choice forLord of the Rings fans is to combine a Weta Workshop visit with a tour of LOTR filming locations around Wellington.
A tour of the Weta Workshop is a must for fans ofLord of the Rings and those interested in special effects.
Entrance to the Weta Cave shop is free, and fans can pose with movie character sculptures and watch a documentary about the Weta Workshop.
Tours typically take around 45 minutes. The half-day Full Experience combination tour includes the two most popular Weta Workshop tours, plus round-trip transfers from Wellington.
Film fanatics won’t want to miss the Weta Cave shop, where you can buy movie merchandise and collectibles.
Most areas of the workshop are wheelchair-accessible.
The Weta Workshop is located in Miramar, 5 miles (8 kilometers) southeast of downtown Wellington, about a 15-minute drive or taxi ride. Some tours include transfers, and bus 18e from downtown stops nearby. There is free parking on-site.
The Weta Workshop is open daily all year round from morning to late afternoon. The summer months of December and January are typically busiest, when it’s essential to book in advance; advance booking is recommended all year round. If you’re driving, it’s best to get there early on weekends or during busy periods as parking spaces are limited.
The Weta Workshop became a household name thanks to its work on Peter Jackson’sLord of the Rings films, winning three British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards, four Oscars, and numerous other awards for its work. More than 48,000 items were created for the trilogy, including ground-breaking innovations such as a lightweight chainmail designed for use on film sets; thousands of hand-made swords and customized armor; incredible costumes such as that of the Dark Lord, Sauron; and mythical creatures such as Gollum, created using motion capture. Lord of the Rings fans can pose for photos with characters such as Gollum, Azog, and Uruk-Hai, Lurtz, at the Weta Cave.
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