Weta Cave... Studio

Being in Wellington provides the perfect excuse to exercise your LOTR interests with several companies offering tours to local filming sites (of which there are many) from Hobbiton wood to the entrance to Moria Caves at a reasonable cost of $40 (½ day) and $80 (full day) or extended tour $115. However, as I am on a tight budget and have already seen some LOTR filming sites on the south island, I decide to go for the cheapest option which involves taking bus 2 from Courtney street to Mirama ($4.50), the driver will note the stop for you but Weta caves has a brown tourist sign near the bus stop to direct you onwards…
Weta caves is a studio located in a unremarkable suburb of Wellington on a quiet end of street plot. The Weta sign above the doorway welcomes you to an Aladins Cave of treasures from years of film effects development. As soon as you enter the cave you are welcomed warmly by staff who provide you with some details of the site (including a little marketing of the HUGE range of products available). Photo’s are allowed throughout the site except the video cave and includes a wealth of opportunities to get those pictures of armour, weapons, special effects make up, art and models. What I did not realise is that Weta is involved in projects that include Tintin and the children’s animation series Jane and the Dragon as well as the well known hits of LOTR and Avatar… :)
Although the site is small you should allow at least an hour on site (especially if you want to ask any questions of the very knowledgeable staff) - your visit will include a 20min film introducing the work of Weta Studios and this is both interesting and informative with each department of the studios giving a vivid insight into past and present work. After a little over an hour of wandering amongst the relics of filming and merchandise (having got the photo with Lurtz and Golem) I decide to pick up the bus back to town ($4.50 from the same stop).
The Weta store sells all things LOTR related as well as a range of products from Tintin, District 9, Avatar, King Kong and Hellgate London (of particular interest to me as I have just completed reading the full series of books…). However, I withstand the temptation to buy everything and escape with just a postcard or two and the sites web address… All in all a Fantastic attraction in Wellington and a MUST SEE for LOTR fans or anyone interested in the modern film industry and special effects techniques… Best of all - its absolutely FREE.