COFFEE & GIZMO BUS
Coffee, curiosities
& a little adventure.
Wind a handle. Push a button. Watch something move.
Step aboard a vintage house bus filled with curious creations, then settle into our colourful courtyard for great coffee and homemade treats.
Every nook and cranny holds something worth discovering, from ingenious little mechanisms to wonderfully odd creations with a life of their own. Take your time. There’s more going on than meets the eye.
Plan your visit
01 / STEP ABOARD
Where the
tinkering began.
Our green Leyland house bus is packed with handmade automata, salvaged treasures and fascinating found objects. It’s part of the creative world built by artist Blair Somerville — a place where the unexpected comes to life.
Take a closer look, discover the details and enjoy a little extra tinkering along the way.
Included with admission
Admission for ages 13 and over covers both the Temple of Tinkering and the Gizmo Bus.
02 / YOUR FIRST STOP
Start your
adventure here.
The Gizmo Bus is your starting point for exploring the Temple of Tinkering.
Come aboard to discover more of Blair’s curious creations, browse for souvenirs and buy your admission tickets before heading up the path to the Temple — the main event.
Where do I find the bus?
Look for the green Leyland house bus at our site in Papatowai, on the Southern Scenic Route.
Find usLOOK A LITTLE CLOSER
There’s more than meets the eye.
Handmade. Unexpected. Ready to move.
Salvaged objects. Unexpected sounds.
A discovery in every nook.
Stay curious. Look a little closer.
A FEW MORE CURIOUS CREATIONS
Watch the bus come to life.
03 / UNCLE LEE’S COFFEE BY THE SEA
Stay for
a coffee.
Enjoy great coffee and homemade treats in our colourful courtyard, surrounded by mosaics, stained glass and curious little details.
Grab something to take away or find a spot to sit and unwind. Whether you’re exploring The Catlins or visiting the Temple, it’s a lovely place to take a breather.
Good coffee · Homemade treats · Courtyard
VISITING WITH CHILDREN?
A little care.
A lot of curiosity.
Children aged 12 and under are welcome in the Gizmo Bus free of charge, but must be closely supervised by a paying adult at all times. Children cannot enter the Temple.
READY FOR MORE TINKERING?
The Temple is
the main event.
Follow the garden path to an ever-evolving world of more than 100 curious contraptions. Wind, turn, push and pedal to bring the artworks to life.
Discover the TempleAges 13+ · $12.50 at the door · $11.50 online
YOUR CURIOSITY IS INVITED
Take a break.
Feed your curiosity.
Temple admission for ages 13 and over. Book online and save $1 per person.
Buy online & save $1 Plan your visit