Walk-in Workshops – No bookings required!





Upeti Block Rubbings with Michel Tuffery
Head of Kings Pier
Fri 7 & Mon 10 10:00-16:00, Sat 8 & Sun 9 10:00-17:00
Free. Book on site. Come and join the fun!
Renowned Aotearoa / New Zealand artist Michel Tuffery will guide you in mark-making during this hands-on workshop. Using rubbings from a traditional Sāmoan Upeti woodblock carved by Michel, you’ll craft a unique piece to take home—designed to be fun for everyone!




Pasifika Weaving Workshops & Demos
Parliament House Lawns
Fri 7, Sat 8 & Sun 9 11:00-12:00, 12:30-13:30 & 14:00-15:00
Free 1 hour workshops. Book on site. Come and join the fun!
Join Pasifika weavers Seve Faleupolu (Samoa), Sionemaletau Falemaka (Niue), and Keren Ruki (Māori) as they showcase diverse weaving techniques from Aotearoa / New Zealand and the Pacific, using both natural and artificial materials. Make your own woven object to take home.



Kumiko Workshop
Watermans Dock, Murray Street Carpark
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February between 10:00-16:00 (20-30) mins
Price: $35 No booking needed. Just come and join the fun!
Discover the art of “kumiko”, a traditional Japanese woodworking technique, with skilled carpenter Katsumi Kawamura from Shiga. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the secrets of kumiko as you assemble pre-cut wooden pieces to create your own stunning piece of art to take home.


Kanna Woodshaving Flowers
Watermans Dock, Murray Street Carpark
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February between 10:00-16:00 (20-30) mins
Price: $15 No booking needed. Just come and join the fun!
Join Japanese artist Takako Kawamura and learn to craft a beautiful wooden flower using delicate wood shavings from a Japanese kanna (hand plane). In just 15-20 minutes, you can make a stunning Rose or Anemone to take home as a unique piece of art. Additionally, we’ll have a special Japanese hand plane experience available for a limited time—come and try your hand at this traditional technique.

Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka Workshops
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 & Sun 9 February 14:00-15:00, Mon 10 February 11:30-12:30
Free. Suitable for all ages.
Kapa Haka is a Māori phrase loosely translated as ‘performing arts’, encompassing haka (think the All Blacks), poi, and waiata (traditional song and chant). It takes years to master these arts, but here is an opportunity for kids and adults alike to have a go under the tutelage of our Kiwi guests.
Pre-booked Workshops – Book online!
Pre-Festival Workshop



Surfboard Workshop
Franklin Wooden Boat Centre
Fri 31 January – Tues 4 February, 2025 | 5 Day Course
Price: Dependent on surfboard choice
Craft your very own hollow wooden surfboard with Bywater Surfboards at the Wooden Boat Centre in the Huon Valley. This 5 day workshop is perfect for all skill levels—no experience necessary. Choose from a variety of board styles and lengths to create a board that truly reflects you. Celebrate your craftsmanship and leave with a surfboard ready to hit the waves!
There are limited spots available, so please be quick to avoid disappointment!



Japanese Joinery "Tsugite" Making Workshops
Watermans Dock, Murray Street Carpark
Daily 09:30-16:00
Price: $370 Book tickets below for daily or multiple sessions
Join traditional Japanese carpenter Yuji Kanesada from Gifu and furniture designer Hiroshi Yamaguchi from Canberra for hands on workshops in Japanese joinery. Participants will use authentic Japanese tools, such as saws, chisels, and planes while learning about various joinery techniques and their historical significance. These workshops are suitable for both beginners and intermediate woodworkers.
Day 1 “Kanawa Tsugi”, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
Day 2 “Kainokuchi Joinery”,Yuji Kanesada
Day 3 “Miyajima Tsugi”, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
Day 4 “Osaka Castle Gate Post Joinery”, Yuji Kanesada
Workshop






SOLD OUT
Craft a Wooden Handboard for Bodysurfing
Watermans Dock, Murray Street Carpark
Fri 7 to Mon 10 February 10:00-14:00 Daily single workshops
Price: $139
Unleash your inner bodysurfer and craft your very own wooden handboard. No prior experience is necessary—bring your passion for woodworking and the ocean and leave with a one-of-a-kind hardboard made by you. Reserve your spot today and ride the wave of creativity.
Workshop




SOLD OUT
Craft Your Own Boat Fender or Ocean Plait Mat
Watermans Dock, Murray Street Carpark
Mat Making Fri 7 & Sun 9 February 10:00-12:30
Fender Making Sat 8 & Mon 10 February 10:00-12:30
Price: $100 Max 6 people per session
Discover the art of knot tying in this engaging 2.5 hour tutorial, where you’ll learn to craft your own small boat fender or traditional ocean plait mat alongside skilled members of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. All materials are provided, and sessions are limited to six participants for a more personalised experience. Join us and master this timeless craft.
Workshop

SOLD OUT
Turning on the Spring Pole Lathe
Watermans Dock, Murray Street Carpark
Daily 10:00 – 12:00 & 14:00 – 16:00
Price: $60 Max 5 people per session
In this hands-on workshop with green and traditional woodworking masters, Wisdom Through Wood, participants will be introduced to the tools and techniques of turning on a traditional foot operated spring pole lathe. Learn to master tool control for making clean cuts while crafting round objects such as a rolling pin, porridge spurtle, wooden mallet, or belay pin. Join us for an immersive experience in pre-industrial woodworking.
Workshop





SOLD OUT
Kumundar Gujo Jungle Gym
Parliament House Gardens
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February 10:00-12:00 & 13:30-15:30
$10 For children aged 5-12 years
Bring the kids along to The Old Woolstore “Little Sailors Village” for a unique, hands-on experience with “Kumundar”, a captivating wooden jungle gym inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry! At an impressive 5m x 5m x 3m, this large structure will be assembled piece by piece with wooden mallets and wedges. Kids will have the chance to create, learn, and play as they help build this interactive jungle gym, experiencing the joy of hands-on construction while discovering the beauty of traditional Japanese woodcraft.
Kumundar is supported by the Hobart-Yaizu Sister City Committee and Dobson Mitchell Allport.
WORKSHOPS TIMETABLE
WORKSHOP & VENUE | FRI 7 FEB | SAT 8 FEB | SUN 9 FEB | MON 10 FEB |
---|---|---|---|---|
"Circus Workshop" at Parliament Lawns - Free, walk-ins | Closed | 15:00 - 17:00 | 15:00 - 17:00 | 13:30 - 15:30 |
"Craft Your Own Boat Fender" at the Noisy Boatyard - Price $100 | Closed | 10:00 - 12:30 | Closed | 10:00 - 12:30 |
"Craft Your Own Ocean Plait Mat" at the Noisy Boatyard - Price $100 | 10:00 - 12:30 | Closed | 10:00 - 12:30 | Closed |
"Craft a Wooden Handboard for Bodysurfing" at the Noisy Boatyard - Price $139 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 |
Japanese Joinery "Tsugite" Making Workshop at the Noisy Boatyard - Price $370 | 09:00 - 16:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 |
"Kanna Woodshavings Workshop" (20-30mins) at the Noisy Boatyard - Price $15 - register on site | Closed | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 16:00 |
"Kumiko Workshop" (20-30 mins) at the Nosiy Boatyard - Price $35 - register on site | Closed | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 16:00 |
"Kumundar Gujo Japanese Jungle Gym Workshop" at Parliament House Lawns - Price $10 | Closed | 10:00 - 12:00 & 13:30 - 15:30 | 10:00 - 12:00 & 13:30 - 15:30 | 10:00 - 12:00 & 13:30 - 15:30 |
"Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka Workshop" at Parliament Lawns - Free, walk-ins | Closed | 14:00 - 15:00 | 14:00 - 15:00 | 14:00 - 15:00 |
"Pasifika Weaving Workshops & Demonstrations" at Parliament Lawns - Free, walk-ins | 11:00 - 12:00 & 12:30 - 13:30 & 14:00 - 15:00 | 11:00 - 12:00 & 12:30 - 13:30 & 14:00 - 15:00 | 11:00 - 12:00 & 12:30 - 13:30 & 14:00 - 15:00 | Closed |
"Turning on the Spring Pole Lathe " at the Noisy Boatyard - Price $60 | 10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 16:00 |
"Upeti Block Rubbings with Michel Tuffery at the Pacific Seafarers Precinct - Free, walk-ins | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 16:00 |