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  • Driving Creek Railway and Potteries
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Driving Creek Railway and Potteries

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

Map Location

Hosted events

  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.
  •  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.

Attending Events

2

Nov 2025

Ngā Kaihanga Uku Returns: To Driving Creek Pottery, Coromandel Town.

20

Sep 2025

Two Week Driving Creek Pottery Experience
09:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

3

Dec 2025

Five Day Kurinuki Workshop at Driving Creek with Elena Renker

13

Oct 2025

Five Day Production Throwing Course
09:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

14

Oct 2025

8-week Beginners/ Intermediate Pottery Course @ Driving Creek
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

6

Nov 2025

Nga Kaihanga Uku at Driving Creek: Pupurangi Pendants – Todd Douglas
10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

7

Nov 2025

Nga Kaihanga Uku at Driving Creek: Ipu ki te whenua - handbuilt clay vessel to hold placenta or ashes.

5

Nov 2025

Nga Kaihanga Uku @ Driving Creek: Make a Carved Ceramic Roller with Fleur Palmer
10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

4

Nov 2025

Nga Kaihanga Uku at Driving Creek: Glazes - Inspiration and Discovery with Karuna Douglas

3

Nov 2025

Nga Kaihanga Uku at Creek: Wheel Throwing with Kaeleb Ngatai
10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville

3

Nov 2025

Nga Kaihanga Uku @ Driving Creek: Kūmara Ora with Amelia Blundell
02:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Coromandel Town, Coromandel-Colville
company map
380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel Town 3506, Coromandel-Colville

Contact Persons

Deborah Hide-Bayne (Curator-archivist)
Deborah Hide-Bayne (Curator-archivist)

Social Networks

Opening hours
GMT -11:00
Monday
09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed