Places
Driving Creek Railway and Potteries

Driving Creek Railway and Potteries

380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel Town 3506, Coromandel-Colville

Places

0800 327 245

Closed

Business Details

Driving Creek is a place on the Coromandel Peninsula where art, conservation and engineering come together. The Driving Creek Railway, Arts and Conservation Trust aims to foster the 24 hectares and distinctive pioneering buildings as a unique cultural, learning and visitor experience, using its narrow-gauge mountain railway, wildlife sanctuary, pottery studios and diverse collections of New Zealand studio pottery, industrial pottery, sculpture (clay art), paintings, drawings, books, engineering drawings, photographs and the private papers of Barry Brickell, its founder. The Trust will maintain the property as a tourist attraction and develop it as an arts and cultural facility for the benefit of the local community and visitors to the town. Note: bookings for train rides should be made via bookings@dcrail.nz or 0800-327-245 or international +64 7 866 8703.

Type:: Craft/Object

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Hosted events

Two Week Driving Creek Pottery Experience

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

20 September 2025 - 4 October 2025 , 09:30 AM until 03:00 PM

09:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Type:

Participants of the 2-week Driving Creek Pottery Experience will delve into the pottery-making process, concentrating on wheel throwing and exploring various decorating techniques, such as using slips suitable for the soda kiln.
Five Day Production Throwing Course

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

13 October 2025 - 17 October 2025 , 09:30 AM until 04:00 PM

09:30 AM - 04:00 PM

Type:

This intensive production throwing course is designed for potters who want to enhance their speed and accuracy, with special focus on the simple mug—an essential product for any production potter.
8-week Beginners/ Intermediate Pottery Course @ Driving Creek

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

14 October 2025 - 9 December 2025 , 10:00 AM until 12:30 PM

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Type:

The pottery course involves eight 2.5 hour lessons spread over 8 weeks. This pottery course is designed for first-time potters over 12 years of age and caters for experienced students to further develop their skills.
Ngā Kaihanga Uku Returns: To Driving Creek Pottery, Coromandel Town.

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

2 November 2025 - 9 November 2025

Type:

The rōpū will be at Driving Creek from November 2 - 9, hosting a series of public workshops and talks and opening a major exhibition.
Nga Kaihanga Uku -Driving Creek: Ukupapa – Whanaungatanga, Shellac Resist, Water Etching with Dorothy Waetford

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

2 November 2025 , 10:00 AM until 01:00 PM

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Type:

This uku workshop fosters whanaungatanga (establishing relationships) through collective making & conversation. Participants learn to use shellac resist & water etching to create textured surfaces, working personal narratives into clay pieces.
Nga Kaihanga Uku at Creek: Wheel Throwing with Kaeleb Ngatai

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

3 November 2025 , 10:00 AM until 01:00 PM

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Type:

Learn different throwing techniques on the wheel with Kaeleb Ngatai, who will share his methods for building forms efficiently and creatively. Individual coaching will help you refine your skills whether you’re a beginner or experienced.
Nga Kaihanga Uku @ Driving Creek: Kūmara Ora with Amelia Blundell

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

3 November 2025 , 02:00 PM until 05:00 PM

02:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Type:

This workshop explores kūmara as a medium for kōrero and form. Participants will work with clay to create kūmara‑inspired vessels, reflecting on the connections between whenua, kai, and creative practice.
Nga Kaihanga Uku at Driving Creek: Glazes - Inspiration and Discovery with Karuna Douglas

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

4 November 2025 , 10:00 AM until 01:00 PM

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Type:

Using a glaze library of pre‑fired test tiles, participants will be introduced to the world of glaze possibilities. Karuna will demonstrate how to experiment, layer, and understand how glazes interact to achieve unique surfaces and effects.
Nga Kaihanga Uku @ Driving Creek: Make a Carved Ceramic Roller with Fleur Palmer

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

5 November 2025 , 10:00 AM until 01:00 PM

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Type:

Learn how to make a ceramic roller to emboss your clay creations with beautiful textures and patterns. Fleur will teach carving techniques so you can design your own roller to take home and use in your own studio practice.
Nga Kaihanga Uku at Driving Creek: Pupurangi Pendants – Todd Douglas

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

6 November 2025 , 10:00 AM until 01:00 PM

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Type:

Starting with pre‑formed blocks of clay, participants will learn the processes of carving away to unveil a beautiful kauri snail shell pendant. Participants will have the time to repeat the process, and are welcome to bring their own shells.
Nga Kaihanga Uku at Driving Creek: Ipu ki te whenua - handbuilt clay vessel to hold placenta or ashes.

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

7 November 2025 , 10:00 AM until 01:00 PM

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Type:

Create a hand-built ipu whenua/puehu (unfired) or alternatively explore whenua landscapes. Rhonda will guide you through shaping forms that carry connection to land and whakapapa.
Five Day Kurinuki Workshop at Driving Creek with Elena Renker

Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

3 December 2025 - 7 December 2025 , until 04:00 PM

Type:

Known for her expressive and intuitive approach to clay, Elena will guide participants through the traditional Japanese technique of Kurinuki, or hand-carving pots from solid blocks of clay. This workshop is designed for potters of all levels.