The 10 Best Classes & Workshops in South Island, New Zealand

Our original Studio on Fitzgerald Ave was wrecked by the earthquake on February 22nd 2011. I was able to salvage all of my equipment and convert my garage at home on Marshland Rd into a new studio which was open until March 2016. We have moved to Birdlings Flat which is 45kms from the center of Christchurch on the Christchurch/Akaroa Rd. The new Studio has taken 7 months to rebuild and is now ready for people wishing to make their own Bone Carving with us. The French Connection shuttle stops at Birdlings Flat at 10am in the morning on its run to Akaroa and returns at 4pm on the return trip back to Christchurch for those that require transport. Birdlings Flat is one of the great Gemstone beaches of New Zealand and we hope that any visitors to our Studio take the time to explore this stretch of coastal NZ. At this stage we are running 2 sessions a week, Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings but we can also run other sessions but conditions do apply. Email or call, all inquiries welcome. John & Barb

We offer one day cooking classes for small groups using fresh local, seasonal ingredients. Our one day scheduled classes are mainly demonstration where you will recieve a folder with the recipes and the chef will demonstrate each dish from start to finish. Everyone is then seated at the large dining table and eats each dish with matching local wines. Our classes generally run from 10 - 4pm. We also offer private classes and corporate team building days and these are tailor made to suit your needs.

Located on the Canterbury Plains halfway down New Zealand's South Island, the Canterbury Aero Club provides world class, professional flights in some of the worlds most stunning terrain. Canterbury Aero Club has a wide range of flight training experiences which offer the perfect way to experience the thrill of flight over Christchurch, Canterbury and New Zealand.

Creative Photography was established in 2003 by Grand Master Photographers Mike Langford and Jackie Ranken. They have a huge amount of photographic knowledge and they know how to share it. They organize personalized photographic tuition sessions as well as run five day photographic workshops and tours.

Ever wondered what the world looks like flying upside down? Why not let one of New Zealand's best aerobatic pilots teach you how. Ivan Krippner the 2 time national aerobatic champion and his instructors both competing at a national level will give you a trial flight like never before! Operating out of the Wanaka airport with 360 degrees of panoramic views, from the mighty Southern Alps to the majestic Lake Wanaka see it all. For the adrenaline seeker join us in the specially designed Cessna 152 Aerobat. We will teach you how to do your own loops and rolls within the 30min trial flight. Or for the adrenaline junkie take the step up to the big boy's toy, a 15 min trial flight in The Pitts Special S2B. Do your own loops and rolls then do the upgrade and let Ivan take control as you lose control. This production Pitts Special is the most powerful ever built. With the same engine set up as the Red Bull race Aircraft, it has only one thing on its mind, to go hard and fast or go home! Come see the world from our office 6000' up, Upside down. Prices start from $199 with DVD and Upgrades available. Give Ivan or one of the team a call today on. Upside down, down under.

Learn to Fly in Queenstown with Extreme Air Hang gliding & Paragliding school. We offer a full range of courses from Day course to 12 day Pilot certificate courses, refresher courses. ​We run flying tours to New Zealand and Australia. We are the only School in New Zealand that teachers both hang gliding and Paragliding. Extreme Air is the longest operating school in Queenstown with the most experienced instructors.

Paint 'n' Sip Studio is Christchurch's one and only paint & sip destination! Start with a blank canvas and sip your way to a one of a kind masterpiece. A local artist will guide you step by step to complete the featured painting of the night while socialising with friends over a wine or beer! Fun, easy and no artistic ability or experience necessary! Scheduled sessions are Tues-Sat 7pm - 9pm. Painting calendar changes monthly.

Waimak River Riding Centre (previously Waimak River Horse Treks) offer fabulous river side riding tours from 30mins to half day experiences. Suitable for most ages and abilities. We also offer riding tuition to improve your skills and confidence Open every day except Christmas Day and dependent on weather conditions.

Sofa Ski Camps at Treble Cone are a premium Ski Improvement Camp for intermediate to expert skiers. The camps run from SUN to THUR and have the main goal to help people improve their skiing skills as much as possible. An additional day of Heli Skiing at the end is optional. The camps are run by Klaus Mair, author of the Sofa Ski School ski instructional videos and a group of international top ski coaches.