Top North Island Art & Culture Classes

Visit two of New Zealand's must-see attractions on this combo tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Peek into Hobbit holes, frolic in the Shire, and get a drink at the Green Dragon Inn on a guided tour of Middle-earth, followed by a café lunch. In the afternoon, explore Māori myths and history on an underground boat ride at Waitomo, surrounded by thousands of glowworms.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to create a gruesome wound and use prosthetic effects to apply it to your arm? Learn the art of crafting convincing special effects by mixing blood and sculpting your own scars and scrapes at our Intro to SFX workshop.

Get an authentic introduction to Māori culture the way few tourists do, with an evening at the Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua. See men in traditional dress paddle down the river in a waka (canoe) and be captivated by the displays of weaponry. Watch a haka war dance and poi performance, and spot glowworms in their natural habitat. This evening experience includes round-trip hotel transport and a traditional buffet hangi feast, so you don't have to worry about a thing.

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day tour from Auckland that explores New Zealand's "Middle-earth," where "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films came to life. Travel through a landscape of lush farms, then take a guided tour of the 12-acre (4.8-ha) Hobbiton Movie Set, from hobbit holes to gardens and the Green Dragon Inn. With free time to shop and explore, this tour includes transportation from selected locations in Auckland for your convenience.

Unleash your creativity at the Stencil Portrait Workshop, where you’ll design a striking portrait using vibrant colors and custom stencils. This two-hour session welcomes all skill levels, providing step-by-step guidance to help you craft a unique masterpiece. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and a shared platter while creating your art on an A3 canvas panel. With limited spots available, this workshop ensures personalized attention, allowing you to fully explore your artistic expression and take home your finished piece.

Join our eco-friendly tour and enjoy the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with our friendly farm animals. Meet the owner and have the chance to learn more about how we farm and care for the animals and environment. Experience a special opportunity to learn more about New Zealand wool & how it had shaped our country. Learn about the history of sheep farming in New Zealand have the chance to get hands-on and try some wool spinning. Take-home are unique piece of New Zealand history when you choose your own woolly hat. You’ll enjoy the warmth, softness in quality that can only come from a handmade, hand dyed in home-spun natural wool hat.

Experience all that the Hobbiton Movie Set has to offer free of time pressures on this full-day tour. Learn how “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” were created, and see one of the few film sets maintained long after shooting has finished. This tour is great for both diehard fans and those who just want to enjoy a unique day out. The tour departs from Tauranga.

Bring a fantastical character to life: Be led through sculpting basics by Wētā Workshop crew & bring a 3D character to life! Learn how to craft a sculpture: From household materials and modelling clay. Take your sculpture home to finish and display!