Lava Glass
Lava Glass
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Lava Glass is an art glass gallery, glassblowing studio & glass sculpture garden by world-renowned master glassblower Lynden Over. It is the first net carbon-zero glass studio in the world. The complex offers a unique and fascinating window into the world of glassblowing. You can watch the glass artists at work, buy a unique piece of New Zealand glass art and stroll through a garden with more than 600 glass sculptures. The garden has been endorsed as a national 'Garden of Significance'. Admission tickets: Glassblowing Studio $12.50 per person 40 per family* Glass Sculpture Garden $12.50 per person 40 per family* Combination Ticket Glassblowing Studio & Glass Sculpture Garden $20 per person $70 per family* *family - 2 x adults 2 x children, under 5 years free. additional tickets - $10 p.p. i Lava Glass pieces are also available for sale in our online store. We offer insured worldwide shipping. Opening hours: Daily 9 am - 5 pm
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
7 within 5 kms
Attractions
24 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Christopher FLondon, United Kingdom16 contributionsNice quick stop for the intriguedLovely place with some really (albeit expensive) examples of Glass Art. Just off the highway so a nice quick stop, however we were rather put off going much further in as the staff weren’t very welcoming (just glowered and didn’t even say hello) - not as we expect considering the famous NZ hospitality. So rather than venturing in decided to move onwards.Thank you for visiting our gallery and for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're pleased to hear that you found our glass art lovely. However, we're sorry to hear that you felt the staff were not welcoming during your visit. We value each and every guest and aim to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere for all visitors. Your comments are important to us, and we will address this with our team to ensure that every guest receives the friendly welcome they deserve. Thank you once again for your feedback, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future.Written 8 April 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 October 2023
- mdh969Canberra, Australia1,039 contributionsLava Glass visitWe were driving from Hastings to Rotorua and saw the sign for the glass works and stopped to have a look. There were some great works, but out of our price range 😆. You could pay watch the glass works being blown for $12.50 per person and or walk through the sculpture garden for $12.50 per person or pay $20.00 per person to do both. There is also a cafe you could get a coffee or bite to eat. Worth a look.Thank you for your feedback. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed viewing our glass artworks and exploring our sculpture garden. If you're ever in the area again, we would love to welcome you back. Thank you for your support.Written 8 April 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited November 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 10 November 2023
- Darren_C_ThomasBrisbane, Australia1,150 contributionsBest glass in New ZealandSimply spectacular glass studio and sculpture garden. The ability that Lyndon is able to shape objects out of glass is simply amazing. We also found some fine pieces to take home!Hi Darren, Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to our glass studio and sculpture garden. Lynden is truly a master of his craft, and we're thrilled that you were able to witness his amazing glassblowing skills. We're delighted that you found some pieces to take home with you. It's always a joy to know that our glass art has found a new home where it will be cherished. We truly appreciate your kind words and your support. We look forward to welcoming you back to our studio and sculpture garden in the future!Written 8 April 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 22 December 2023
- SarahA999Auckland Central, New Zealand5 contributionsFamily activityFor a family to see the sculpture garden and see glass blowing it’s a bit over priced. The staff were not friendly at all. They didn’t tell where to go for glass blowing and where the garden is after we purchased the tickets. For glass blowing the show had already started by the staff didn’t tell us it has when we bought the tickets. The commentary wasn’t great the lady was just pointing out what was happening and didn’t go into details ..etc. I wouldn’t recommend the glass blowing experience but the sculpture garden is good.Hi Sarah, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're delighted you enjoyed our sculpture garden, but we're sorry you didn't have the best experience with our staff and watching the glassblowing. We apologize for any confusion regarding the studio visit and the lack of detailed commentary. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we will address these issues with our team to ensure that future visitors receive clear information and a more engaging experience. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future and provide you with an improved experience.Written 8 April 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 1 January 2024
- AcinetoAuckland Central, New Zealand23,747 contributionsGallery, studio and gardensThe gallery is located on the state highway just outside of Taupo. Keep an eye out for the lava glass sign. The place has plenty of parking. The gallery is what you come across as you come in. There are plenty of glass items for sale which all look quite nice. I really like the different themed vases with their vibrant colours and clean look. The trees in glass were also quite interesting. We came by first for lunch at the cafe. We then headed into the garden, which was behind a red door in the outdoor area of the cafe. Just let the staff know so they can open the door for you. The garden was quite nice to stroll around. The glass items are all quite interesting and the size of some are quite amazing. The walk didn't take too long but it was a nice stroll. After the gardens we headed into the studio to watch them blow glass. They turned a blob of glass into one of the vases in their gallery. It was quite interesting to watch but it wasn't as I imagined as they didn't blow it up like a balloon. It was nice to learn the process of making the items and how they coloured the items or gave them their designs. It was a nice place to look at some beautiful items.Thank you for your wonderful review! We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back again soon!Written 8 April 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 1 February 2024
- joanna659Brisbane, Australia14 contributionsGlass PiecesBeautiful hand blown glass pieces, felt it was a little bit of an ask to have to pay to watch the glass blowing process. Have been to see several glass blowers in Australia and never been asked to pay to watch them, I feel like when you watch them work you're involved in the process and can really appreciate how much work and love goes into each piece. Would have loved to have some spare $$ to buy a bigger piece .Hi Joanna, Thank you for your review and for appreciating the beauty of our hand-blown glass pieces. We're sorry to hear that you found the fee for watching the glassblowing process not appropriate. We understand your perspective and value your feedback. We'll take your feedback into consideration as we strive to provide the best possible experience for our visitors. We're glad you enjoyed watching the artisans at work and hope you'll have the opportunity to return in the future. If you do, we'd love to assist you in finding the perfect piece for your collection, big or small. Thank you again for your visit and your feedback.Written 8 April 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 February 2024
- Julia @Scrumptious SolentSouthampton, United Kingdom4,381 contributionsIf you love glass then this is the place for you!!Fabulous workshop, gallery and gardens displaying blown glass, with a lovely cafe attached. It costs $20 to see the glass being blown by the artists plus a tour of the gardens. Both were really interesting. The glass on display is gorgeous! Sadly I didn’t have the weight allowance to get it home - plus I wasn’t sure it would make it back in one piece. The glass on display you’re not allowed to photograph, but you can take photos in the glass sculpture garden which is beautifully laid out.Hi Julia, Thanks for your wonderful review! Did you know that we ship our glass art worldwide and guarantee 100% that it arrives intact? I suggest checking out our online store. We are happy to send images of available pieces for you to choose from. Thank you for visiting us and for your kind words. We hope to welcome you back again in the future!Written 8 April 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 March 2024
- Cristina CLugano, Switzerland138 contributionsUna meravigliosa scopertaA marvellous discovery, a shop, a garden and a café dedicated to the art of glass, all in full respect of Nature. You can sense that each object is inspired by communion and love of nature. It gave me moments of joy that I decided to pass on to a friend with a precious vase, as precious as our friendship. The staff is very helpful and kind.Hi Cristina, Thank you so much for your heartfelt words and for sharing your review with us. We're thrilled to hear that your visit to our shop, garden, and café left such a positive impression on you. It means a lot to us that you felt the essence of our dedication to both artistry and nature. We're delighted that you found a special piece to share with your friend, and we hope it serves as a beautiful symbol of your friendship for years to come.Written 9 June 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited May 2024Travelled soloWritten 27 May 2024
- Michelle SAuckland Central, New Zealand499 contributionsBeautiful glass sculptures and cool cafeThis place is in the country and worth a visit. Hands-on glass sculptures for sale of all sizes and shapes. I bought the most beautiful glass flower. Staff are very helpful. The items are made on site, and you can watch the items being made. Walk through to the little cafe and sit outside in the sun. Salmon eggs Benedict was excellent. Next door, there is a gate, and a separate fee is required to walk around the sculpture gardens. This is lovely on a sunny day. If you just want to spend a couple of hours at this venue for time out, you won't be disappointed.Hi Michelle, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you enjoyed our glass art, the cafe, and the sculpture garden. We hope to welcome you back for another relaxing visit soon!Written 8 September 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited September 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 7 September 2024
- IsaemsManawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand6 contributionsParticularly enjoyed viewing the glass blowing and the art works on display in the shop.I had ventured out to Lava Glass to view the glass art garden which was a beautiful and unique experience in spite of being in need of a spring clean. I was very glad I made the impromptu decision to view the glass blowing session as I enjoyed this even more. The shop which is free to enter is also very impressive with a multitude of stunning works and well worth the trip to see.Thank you for your 5-star review! We're glad you enjoyed the visit to our sculpture garden and studio. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon.Written 29 September 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited August 2024Travelled soloWritten 20 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
933 reviews
Excellent
459
Very good
305
Average
114
Poor
31
Terrible
24
leah-barlow
Southampton, United Kingdom47 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Glass sculpture garden is lovely and you can take photos, you can't take photos in the gallery/gift shop. Items range NZD $40-$$$$$s which tbh knowing the work and hours that go in to crafting such beautiful pieces, this can be expected. You can buy any sculpture in the garden too but I imagine they cost in the thousands too. Still a nice way to kill an hour they have a cafe and a studio tour we didnt go on.
Written 14 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Leah, Thanks so much for your review. You are right, we can make any sculpture in our garden to order.
Written 8 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucy T
Katikati, New Zealand11 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We enjoyed the cafe and the shop. I was disappointed that the website didn't make it more obvious that the sculpture garden was something that you had to purchase a ticket for. I thought it would be free and a way to encourage people to visit the cafe and shop. I'd be back to the cafe if this was the case!
Written 14 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lucy, Thank you for your review. We'll review our website to make sure all information is stated clearly.
Written 4 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
chris r
Melbourne, Australia22 contributions
Dec 2019
We went to Lava Glass to have a look at the glass blowing and items for sale. The glass blowers were very skilled at what they were making and the guide provided enough information about what was happening to make us feel informed. After this we looked at all the glass for sale and had a nice cup of coffee in the cafe. We then went out into the sculpture garden. What a pleasant surprise in such a small place a wide variety of landscaping which highlighted a large number of glass sculpture installations. Very worthwhile.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ash J
Wellington, New Zealand235 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Had a wonderful break from the road at Lava Glass. Warm welcome as soon as we walked through the door. Amazing glass sculptures and art pieces, representing the beautiful landscapes from across the region and beyond.
Sculpture garden very well presented. Currently half price as there is a break in glass blowing as the furnace is changed out
Cafe on site
Great service from Carmen - thank you
Sculpture garden very well presented. Currently half price as there is a break in glass blowing as the furnace is changed out
Cafe on site
Great service from Carmen - thank you
Written 22 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I’m so happy to hear you had a positive experience at Lava Glass. Our new electric furnace is running now and our artists are back blowing glass seven days a week. I hope you’ll stop by, the next time you’re in Taupo.
Written 25 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sky
Melbourne, Australia51 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Very pricey for the price of the attraction. $60 for 3 members to see the glass-making process and view the sculpture garden. The Garden is very small and process of making glasses is same for all types of cups, vases,s, etc. Also, the guide (commentary staff) wasn't kids friendly and made us embarrassed in front of the whole group.
Written 30 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us — we value your input and flagging up areas where we can further improve.
Written 26 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mary Jane B
Nelson, New Zealand6 contributions
Jan 2020
Having visited the Dale Chihuly exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens I was very disappointed to see such a small and uninspiring exhibition in the garden at Lava Glass. Much of the work was faded, some had cracks which had been glued together and the "pond" was a muddy mess. I think $10 entry for this was far too much and if this was reduced to say $5 you would get more than twice the visitors through the door.
I think some of the glass for sale was beautiful although the shapes appeared quite repetitive. One piece I was interested in had a small flaw in the top rim - the staff member commented that she had a couple of others that were the same that I could choose from - this put me off completely as it made it all seem commercial rather than artistic.
I think some of the glass for sale was beautiful although the shapes appeared quite repetitive. One piece I was interested in had a small flaw in the top rim - the staff member commented that she had a couple of others that were the same that I could choose from - this put me off completely as it made it all seem commercial rather than artistic.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Mary Jane, Thanks for sharing your feedback. I'm sorry your experience didn’t match your expectations. We are working really hard to maintain our beautiful sculpture garden. The $10 admission fee goes fully towards that maintenance and adding new sculptures. As for our glass art, every piece in our gallery is unique.
Written 24 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laby1993
Christchurch, New Zealand16 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
We really enjoyed watching the glass blowing and seeing all the designs in the garden. Its like the tv show blown away but in person.. prices reach up to 28k for some impressive pieces! We wish we could afford them but purchased a small piece for $179. Great place to fill in a bit of time.
Written 6 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5-star rating - it's much appreciated. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written 8 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scott Marks
Auckland Central, New Zealand341 contributions
Jan 2021
The gallery is filled with stunning pieces, but no photography is allowed. You can pay to watch glass-blowing in person, and you can also pay to visit a garden filled with glass sculptures. That what my attached photos are of.
There's also a nice little café here
There's also a nice little café here
Written 4 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Scott, Thanks for sharing this positive feedback. We hope to welcome you again soon.
Written 2 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fee
9 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Was very disppointed, we stopped here to look at the glass blowing, unfortunately when we arrived they were making a big sale with another customer and were not interested in us.
I had taken my elderly Dad in as he had never seen this sort of thing done before.
We ended up paying just to see the glass blowers back to us and couldn't hear the brief description of what he was doing over the noise.
I also didn't appreciate the snarky comment made by the the lady as I was wearing gloves.
I would miss the glass blowing, not worth the money.
I had taken my elderly Dad in as he had never seen this sort of thing done before.
We ended up paying just to see the glass blowers back to us and couldn't hear the brief description of what he was doing over the noise.
I also didn't appreciate the snarky comment made by the the lady as I was wearing gloves.
I would miss the glass blowing, not worth the money.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We sincerely apologize that the visit to our glassblowing studio was not satisfactory for you. We aim to provide the most excellent customer service and carry our business to high standards. It is of deep concern that our standards were not met in your customer experience. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we will ensure this does not happen again.
Written 25 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DavidBridson
Taupo, New Zealand18 contributions
Jun 2020
There is something for everyone at Lava Glass. A new glass furnace was being installed so we didn't get to see glass actually being blown this time around. However, Carmen gave us an excellent talk about the processes involved and we were able to see the finished product. The pieces are world-class - imaginative and beautiful and the control the artists/craftsmen have over their work is outstanding. The cafe provides a pleasant setting and the food and coffee is high quality. The glass garden is exceptional. Each time we go new exhibits have been added. The pieces are colourful and very diverse in theme. All are for sale. Next time you come to Taupo, visit Lava Glass. You won't be disappointed, especially if you are able to watch the glassblowing.
Written 1 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the awesome review, David! We work hard to meet expectations like yours, and we’re happy to hear we hit the mark for you. Our furnace is running again, so come back to watch our glass artists at work. Hope to see you soon.
Written 4 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I want to view reviews on lavaglass how do I view more than 3. Must I be login to tripadvisor
Written 21 June 2016
Look for the more reviews line under the 3 reviews. and press it
Written 10 February 2018
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing