EXPLORE THE TEMPLE

Come curious.
Leave inspired.

A wonderfully weird world of things that move.

WELCOME TO THE TEMPLE OF TINKERING

Wind a handle.
See what happens.

A curious world of moving artworks, handmade contraptions and unexpected discoveries in the heart of The Catlins.

Created by artist Blair Somerville, the Temple of Tinkering is an ever-evolving collection of automata — mechanical artworks made from recycled, salvaged and natural materials.

Wind a handle. Push a button. Turn a wheel. Pedal, play and see what happens. With more than 100 curious contraptions to bring to life, there’s always something unexpected around the next corner.

Plan your visit

100+

curious contraptions

13+

Temple admission age

1 hour

or linger a little longer

A glowing star-shaped handmade artwork at Temple of Tinkering

ART YOU CAN SET IN MOTION

Not just an exhibition.
An experience.

The Temple is a place where art is meant to be touched, movement sparks curiosity, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Every artwork has its own personality, mechanism and little surprise. Some whirl, some wobble, some clatter and others reveal their magic in ways you might never have imagined.

Made from discarded objects, beachcombed treasures and repurposed materials, these one-of-a-kind creations celebrate the beauty of making things differently.

Take your time. Explore at your own pace. And don’t be afraid to turn the handle.

LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER

A few things to stir your curiosity.

Handmade. Unexpected. Ready to move.

Detail of a handmade mechanical artwork at Temple of Tinkering

Little mechanisms. Big surprises.

Weathered metal push-button box among the garden plants

Give curiosity a gentle push.

Handmade hanging artworks above the Temple interior

Look up. There is more to discover.

SEE WHAT MOVES

A little movement.
A little magic.

The best way to understand the Temple is to experience it for yourself. Here’s a glimpse of one of the mechanisms at work.

Sandra and Blair outside their handmade creative world

01 / BLAIR SOMERVILLE

A lifetime of tinkering.

For more than two decades, Blair Somerville has been transforming found objects and forgotten materials into extraordinary mechanical artworks.

Blair's creations bring found objects, salvaged materials and playful mechanisms together, each with its own personality and surprise.

The Temple is Blair's ever-evolving workshop and gallery — a place to wind a handle, press a button and see what happens.

02 / SANDRA VAN DER SOMMEN

An eye for birds. A life in art.

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Sandra met Blair while travelling through New Zealand in December 2018. In April 2019, she moved to Papatowai.

Today she works from her Jamin studio, creating portraits and paintings of animals. Her fascination with birds also shaped her art-history studies, which focused on bird books and drawings from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Sandra helps run the Temple of Tinkering and Gizmo Bus and monitors the local little blue penguin colony.

Meet Sandra & see her work

A LITTLE PRACTICAL KNOW-HOW

Good to know
before you visit.

Who is the Temple for?

The Temple of Tinkering is for visitors aged 13 and over. The artworks are delicate, handmade and one of a kind, and the space is not childproof. Children aged 12 and under cannot enter the Temple.

How long should I allow?

Allow around 1 hour to explore the Temple and the Gizmo Bus, or longer if you enjoy discovering how things work.

How much does it cost?

Admission to the Temple and Gizmo Bus is $12.50 per person for ages 13 and over, or $11.50 online. Groups of six or more receive a 10% group discount. Check the ticket options before visiting.

Where do I get tickets?

Book through TryBooking, or buy tickets inside the green Gizmo Bus before heading up the garden path to the Temple.

What else is there?

Step aboard the Gizmo Bus, our green Leyland house bus, for a little extra tinkering and a browse for souvenirs. You can also stop at Uncle Lee’s Coffee by the Sea for great coffee and homemade treats.

What if it rains?

The Temple is an indoor experience, making it a lovely stop on a rainy day exploring the Southern Scenic Route. The path between the bus and Temple is outdoors.

The lower body and entrance of the green Gizmo Bus

FIND US IN THE CATLINS

A little world
of its own.

Tucked away in Papatowai, along the Southern Scenic Route, the Temple of Tinkering is a little world of its own. Look for the green bus, follow your curiosity, and come see what moves you.

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