Behind the Canvas Art Tour 2026 -NEW TOUR

17-21 August 2026

NEW TOUR - ON SALE NOW

Embark on an unforgettable journey from Wellington to Whanganui and immerse yourself in the very best of the region’s vibrant art scene. This carefully compiled, small-group tour doesn’t just show you art—it gives you exclusive access to it. If you’re passionate about art, culture, and unique experiences, this tour delivers real value: insider access, expert curation, and meaningful connections with the art itself. Don’t just visit - experience the stories behind the art and see the region in a way few others do

Photo Credit: Whanganui Partners 


Day 1

Monday 17 August - Travelling to Wellington

With transfers from home this morning, we meet in Wellington where
we begin our art adventure at Parliament. Led by the Art Curator, this is
a unique exploration of parliament buildings, focussing on the artwork
and objects that enhance their walls. We then move on to the Museum
of New Zealand Te Papa. Here we go behind the scenes to experience
an exclusive front and back of house tour. Our hosts will guide us
through important works from the NZ National Art Collection,
connecting us with pieces that showcase the diversity and innovation of
art in New Zealand. We will have time to grab lunch at Te Papa (own
cost and choice). We then check in to our hotel, the QT Wellington,
described as “an art gallery you can stay in”. We have time to settle in
and explore the artworks in the public areas of the hotel before dining
in the hotel restaurant this evening.

Staying at: QT Wellington
Meals incl: dinner

Day 2

Tuesday 18 August - Wellington Art Scene

Today we immerse ourselves in Wellington’s diverse arts community.
Our first visit is an architectural journey to discover the newly reopened
and reimagined Wellington City Library, where at its heart is te taiao –
the natural world. You will see it in the forms of nikau palms, the
colours and textures of native plant life, the shapes of carved handles
and other details, along with the names of each level. The library is also
home to some significant art works. Next, we visit Te Pataka Toi Adam
Art Gallery at Victoria University. This art collection is a nationally
significant compilation of more than 600 modern and contemporary art
works by some of the best-known artists in New Zealand.

We’ll take a break for lunch in the city (own cost and choice) before
visiting the New Zealand Portrait gallery on Wellington’s waterfront. A
short visit and talk will reveal the story of New Zealanders through
portraits. Finally today we visit Page Gallery to view the John Walsh and
Sacha Lees exhibitions over drinks and nibbles. Gallery owner Marcia
Page will join us to talk about her art journey. Returning to our hotel,
we dine in again this evening.

Staying at: QT Wellington
Meals incl: breakfast, dinner

Day 3

Wednesday 19 August - Wellington to Whanganui

Departing Wellington this morning, our first visit today is Pataka Art
Museum in Porirua where we enjoy a guided tour of the Neil Penman
Exhibition along with a peek behind the scenes with the gallery’s lead
curator. Travelling to Waikanae, we visit Toi Mahara, an excellent
regional gallery and creative heart for the Kapiti District. We are
welcomed for light refreshments, and our focus today is the Field
Collection consisting of 44 works – predominantly paintings by Frances
Hodgkins, and an exhibition by Brent Wong, one of NZ’s most
distinctive and enduring artists. Lunch is in Waikanae (own choice and
cost).

Continuing on to Whanganui, we visit St Pauls Anglican Memorial
Church. Walking through the doors of this small, modest looking church
reveals the taonga (treasures) within. This is one of the most beautifully
decorated churches in NZ, adorned with intricate carvings and
tukutuku, reflecting the history of the church and the area. Finally, we
check in to our accommodation where we enjoy inhouse dining this
evening.

Staying at: Rutland Arms Hotel or Aotea Motor Inn
Meals incl: breakfast, dinner

Day 4

Thursday 20 August - Whanganui Art Treasures

Our first visit today is to the Royal Whanganui Opera House. NZ’s last
Victorian Theatre, this grand old treasure is renowned internationally
for its architecture and acoustics. We’ll be hosted on a guided tour,
before making our way to Sarjeant Gallery, Te Whare o Rehua,
Whanganui’s magnificent showcase for the arts. With a guide, we visit
works from the permanent collection along with current exhibitions.
We’ll enjoy lunch at the Gallery Café (own choice and cost) after our
tour.

Keep your eye out as we travel around the city, there will be
opportunities to glimpse Whanganui Walls – some of the vibrant street
art that adorns and enlivens many building walls throughout the city.

This afternoon we visit the New Zealand Glassworks, where we may
view talented glass artists at work as they craft unique pieces, while in
the gallery we’ll discover a beautiful selection of handmade glass
homewares, artwork and jewellery. Our last visit today is Quartz
Museum of Studio Ceramics opened in 2015 by Rick Rudd, a renowned
studio potter. We may meet Rick today, as we enjoy browsing the
collection. Returning to our hotel, we enjoy relaxed dining in the hotel
restaurant once again.

Staying at: Rutland Arms Hotel or Aotea Motor Inn
Meals incl: breakfast, dinner

Day 5

Friday 21 August - The Morgans Art Park and Travelling Home

Our art adventure is almost at an end, but we have one more very
special experience awaiting us. At Pauatahanui is The Morgans Art Park
where we board luxurious people movers to tour the 4km sculpture
trail. As we travel around the park, we stop at each sculpture to allow
us to take photos and learn the story behind its conception and
creation. This is an immersive tour, where the landscape is the canvas
and the art is in scale. To enhance our experience, we enjoy lunch at this
unique location today before travelling for home locations.

Meals incl: breakfast, lunch

The cost of the tour includes

  • Good quality hotel accommodation
  • 2 course or buffet dinners
  • Full Breakfasts
  • All coach travel
  • Parliament Art Tour
  • Te Papa Front and Back of House tour
  • Wellington City Library, tour
  • Te Pataka Toi Adam Art Gallery, guided tour
  • The New Zealand Portrait Gallery, tour
  • Page Gallery, tour with wine and nibbles
  • Pataka Art Museum, guided tour
  • Toi Mahara, Guided tour and refreshments
  • St Pauls Anglican Memorial Church, guided tour
  • Royal Whanganui Opera House, guided tour
  • Sarjeant Gallery, Te Whare o Rehua, guided tour
  • NZ Glassworks, meet the team and artists on site
  • Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics, entry and talk
  • The Morgans Art Park, motorised guided tour and lunch

Departure Detail


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