Weta Cave, Wellington Overview

Weta Workshop is an international Awards winning company that deals in special effects and props. It is responsible for bringing super hit fantasy movies like the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Thor: Ragnarok, King Kong, Warcraft and District 9 etc., to life. Based on the same premise, Weta Cave is the hub of famous props and studio tours, a major tourist attraction located 8 kms east of the city centre in Miramar.

Considered a must-visit for all movie buffs, the place hoards all kinds of authentic Weta-designed prop replicas, books, collectables, jewellery, art prints, apparel and movie memorabilia. The Weta Cave has been divided into two major segments- one is the Mini Museum nestled in the folds of the Cave, which is a gallery displaying sculptures of famous characters and miniature props from some of our favourite movies, and the second is the screening of behind the scenes documentary that is held every half an hour. In addition, the place also conducts regular guided tours of the area.

Things to Do at Weta Cave

Watch their very exclusive behind the scenes documentary which is screened every 30 minutes. The documentary explores the history of Weta Group of companies and consists of interviews with the co- founders of the Weta Group- Richard Taylor and Peter Jackson (and more) and several behind the scenes footage.
Take a tour of the Mini- Museum built inside the premise. The mini museum has on display several artefacts and miniatures of the props and stuff created by the Weta Workshop, used in the films that they have been used in.
The regular tours at the Weta Cave do not allow photography. However, if you want a few fantastical photos, Weta Cave is considered to be the perfect selfie spot. Do not forget to carry a good quality camera and get clicked with fantastical creatures, cinematic props and sculptures and relive your favourite movies again. The entrance itself has three life sized trolls of William, Tom and Bert from the movie “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”.
You can pick up high end artefacts replicas of the props, sculptures, miniature dummies, art prints and apparels etc. which are designed by the very skilled artists and craftsmen of the Weta Workshop itself.
After posing with the trolls at the entrance, meet the other life sized sculptures, the most popular one of which is Galdalf. Besides, there are creatures from other movies including Middle Earth trilogies, District 9, Tintin, Thunderbirds etc. However, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy dominates the space.

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Weta Studio Tours

There are several tours organized at the Weta studios and workshop differing in timings and tickets and routes. Some of these are even combinations of two or more tours while some others are combined with fancy dinners at the fantasy world restaurant. Alternatively, you can also book customised personal and private tours depending on the size of your party and the services you want to avail. These can be slightly costlier but definitely will be more convenient and enjoyable. Given below is a list of some of the basic tours offered at the Weta Workshop-

Weta Workshop Tour
This 45 min tour explores the Weta Workshop area where are the props, costumes and other items are housed from the memorable movies like Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia and Ghost in the Shell etc. You are also taken through the Manufacturing Alley where the guide (who is a member of the workshop crew) will tell you stories about each item and will also spill some behind the scenes secrets.
Miniatures Stage Tour: Thunderbirds Are Go
Miniatures Stage Tour: Thunderbirds Are Go is also a 45 min duration tour which goes through a gallery of miniatures created by Weta artists used in popular TV shows specifically. The set of Thunderbirds Are Go is a special place where photography is also allowed unlike the other tours.
The Combo Tour
The Combo Tour starts from the Weta Cave Shop daily and has a duration of 2 hours. This tour is a combination of two tours given above- Weta Cave Workshop Tour and the Miniature Stage Tour.
There And Back Again: The Full Experience
This tour includes free pick up and drop in a dedicated shuttle service from central Wellington to the Weta Studios. This is also the tour that explores the ins and out of the Weta Cave including the mini museum, the behind the scenes documentary with the co-founders, Richard Taylor and Peter Jackson and the shop with all the Weta merchandise and memorabilia. The total duration of this tour is 4 hours and it also includes the two tours mentioned above- Weta Cave Workshop Tour and Miniatures Stage Tour: Thunderbirds Are Go
An Evening With Weta and Coco
This is an extended dinner with tour with free pick-up service from the bus parking spot opposite the Amora Hotel - just up straight from the road from the Wellington iSITE on Wakefield Street at 4:30 PM. After the Weta Workshop and the documentary and the Cave Shop, the guests are taken to gorgeous art decor restaurant Coco at the Roxy. Here you can dine along with the fantasy creatures and characters. These replicas are all adorned with costumes, make-up and other essentials.

Weta Studio Tours Fares, Tickets, Timings and Other Info

Weta Workshop Tour
Adults: $28
Kids (6-12 yrs): $13
Kids (0-5 yrs): No Entry Fee
Family (2 adults + 2 kids): $72
Miniatures Stage Tour: Thunderbirds Are Go
Adults: $28
Kids (6-12 yrs): $13
Kids (0-5 yrs): No Entry Fee
Family (2 adults + 2 kids): $72
Combo Tour
Adults: $48
Kids (6-12 yrs): $22
Kids (0-5 yrs): No Entry Fee (please make sure to include them when booking)
Family (2 adults + 2 kids): $125
There And Back Again: The Full Experience
Adults: $88
Kids (6-12 yrs): $52 (must be accompanied by an adult of 14 years or older)
Kids (0-5 yrs): No Entry Fee (please make sure to include them when booking)
Time: Departures at 9:00 AM, 10.30 AM, 12:00 PM and 1.30 PM daily from the bus parking spot opposite the Amora Hotel - just up straight from the road from the Wellington iSITE on Wakefield Street.
There And Back Again Guided Transfer
Adults: $68
Kids (6-12 yrs): $42 (must be accompanied by an adult of 14 years or older)
Kids (0-5 yrs): No Entry Fee (please make sure to include them when booking)
Time: Departures at 9:00 AM, 10.30 AM, 12:00 PM and 1.30 PM daily from the bus parking spot opposite the Amora Hotel - just up straight from the road from the Wellington iSITE on Wakefield Street.
An Evening With Weta and Coco
Adults: $145
Kids (6-12 yrs): $75 (must be accompanied by an adult of 14 years or older)
Minimum Number of guests: 10
Time: Departure at 4:30 PM from the bus parking spot opposite the Amora Hotel - just up straight from the road from the Wellington iSITE on Wakefield Street.

Tips

There is no luggage storage space at Weta Cave or anywhere in the vicinity.
There is ample free parking available on the road. But please include buffer time for the same.

How to Reach

Some tours in the Weta Cave like the “There and Back Again” offer return transfers from the Wellington i-SITE in the CBD. In case, you are travelling in public transport, take the 18e bus to stop 6240 on Darlington Road. After you get down here, Weta Cave Shop is just a small distance away and you can walk down here.