New Zealand · FARMS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 farm visits worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Cruise Lake Whakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw steamship or Spirit of Queenstown, then tour Walter Peak Farm with guides such as Josh, Mia, or Ashley. Expect sheep shearing, working dogs, animal encounters, mountain views, and generous morning or afternoon tea in a 3.5-hour family-friendly outing.
“Loved watching the sheepdog perform. Would like to see more.”
Take a narrated cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the 1912 TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown. Enjoy a generous local BBQ buffet at Colonel’s Homestead, then watch sheepdog work and sheep shearing before returning across Lake Wakatipu.
“Easy to book Great boat ride Excellent food and show. Beautiful surroundings Staff were great Would recommend”
Spend 3.5 hours crossing Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown, then tour Walter Peak Farm. Meet sheep, alpacas, cattle, goats, deer, and working dogs, watch a sheepdog show, stroll the gardens, and enjoy a freshly baked afternoon tea.
“Excellent tour! The young worker who took us around the farm was really good :) afternoon tea was great”
Spend 2.5 hours at Rotorua’s 350-acre Agrodome, where farmers demonstrate sheep shearing, sheepdogs, cow milking, and 19 sheep breeds. Ride an all-weather trailer through the farm, feed animals, visit the nursery, and taste kiwifruit juice and farm honey. Guides such as Jack, Jamie, and Sarah are known for warm, informative commentary.
“The best farm experience I have ever had, also my kids absolutely loved it. Jack our tour guide was very informative and educational. Loved every minute we spent in the show and our tour. Highly recommend and would do it again.”
Spend about 2.5 hours at Rotorua’s 350-acre Agrodome with a one-hour sheep show and one-hour tractor-trailer farm tour. Meet 19 sheep breeds, watch shearing and dog work, then feed sheep, alpacas, deer, cattle, and other animals. Guide Jack is known for his humor and farm knowledge.
“The show was very polished and entertaining. The sheep deserve oscars. We didn't do the farm tour or the hatchery, but these looked good. We enjoyed the playground, and the cafe. The food was very reasonably priced as well as good quality and tasty. I recommend the BBQ box!”
Spend about an hour at Shamarra Alpacas near Akaroa, meeting friendly animals, petting alpacas, seeing newborns, and hand-feeding them under expert guidance. Jean and other farm guides explain fleece, care, behavior, and the difference between alpacas and llamas. Drive yourself or arrange transport before arrival.
“They have 170 alpacas there and it’s a great one hour tour to learn more about the animals! You will get the chance to feed the alpacas as well. They will rush you a bit at the end of the tour, but I will still highly recommend it to everyone!”
You’ll cross Lake Whakatipu on the Spirit of Queenstown, dine at Walter Peak’s Colonel’s Homestead, and watch a lively farm demonstration, including sheep shearing on some visits. Jo may lead the farm show, while Jacob has looked after lunch service. Drinks cost extra.
“Perfect low-key activity. The food was amazing, the farm show was fun, and the animals were sweet!”
Travel from Christchurch to Glenafric Working Sheep Farm with guide Simon, meet farmer James, watch sheep shearing, feed animals, and enjoy a grazing lunch with coastal views. Finish with five wine tastings at Georges Road Wines in Waipara Valley.
“This was one of the best tours I have done in New Zealand. You see some unique sites and a real working farm. Along with the winery stop and narration, it was a perfect day. Holding a baby lamb was a highlight!”
From Tauranga Port, Arrow Tours takes you by air-conditioned minivan to Mt Maunganui, a kiwi orchard, Rotorua’s lakes, geothermal parks, native bush, and Okere Falls. Guides such as Toby and Kerry add local stories, while the optional Māori cultural visit costs extra.
“Excellent tour for the money. Small group tour of 12 people 6 couples, easy to hop on and hop off the van to see things, everyone returned back to the van on time.Roger was our guide, he is very knowledgeable. He stopped in many places and let us to get off the van to see things and take pictures. We paid extra NZ25 to see Maori Cultural Experience, it was very nice to experience NZ culture. Roger managed our tour time quite time. It was full 7 hours tour and we had great time.We also loved our kiwifruits farm visit as well. Highly recommend this tour to those cruisers visiting…”
Take a two-hour, small-group 4WD tour from Tekapo across a 50,000-acre high-country farm. Guide Andy and the local team share farming stories as you see Merino sheep, Angus cows, alpacas, horses, working dogs, Irishman Creek Hut, Swan Tarn, and a private Mt. John lookout.
“Excellent farm tour with very knowledgeable staff. Learned so much about agriculture and farming in the region. Andy was an outstanding guide and answered every question with enthusiasm. Highly recommend this tour!”
Cross Lake Whakatipu aboard the Spirit of Queenstown, then follow a rural host around Walter Peak High Country Farm. You will watch sheepdogs work, see sheep shearing, feed sheep and deer, meet Highland cattle, and enjoy scones, cakes, and slices in the old woolshed.
“Great day out with the family! Thoroughly enjoyed all of it! The views were breathtaking.”
Leave Lyttelton for Christchurch landmarks, Mona Vale Gardens and Southern Alps views, then visit Toby Hill Farm for sheep dogs, shearing, wool lessons and tea with hosts Trevor and Heather. Guides such as Kevin and Graham have led past departures. Expect a scenic but bus-heavy six-hour day.
“Such a nice couple and totally enjoyed watching Ned the dog working the sheep! Great fun and beautiful ride in the country seeing snow covered mountains”
You drive your own two-seat 4x4 buggy through Rotorua countryside and native bushland, following an English-speaking guide in a support vehicle. Isaac may lead your trip. Expect a training run, scenic lookouts, a small group of up to eight, and plenty of dust.
“This activity was great! Driving the 4x4 was fun for my husband, I enjoyed the ride!! Our guides were great too, we had a good vibe from the get go! Be prepared to get dirty/dusty (especially if there hasn’t been rain to keep the dust down), we would recommend a bandanna to cover your mouth otherwise you’ll end up with dust as it’s hard to keep your mouth closed from smiling so much during the ride, you’ll see some amazing views! On that note, sunglasses too (dust in eyes). Also, anything you bring on to the buggy will get dusty, BUT they do have compressed air and they will happily…”
Meet your guide at Akaroa Wharf for a 2.5-hour small-group tour through Akaroa Harbour, over Summit Road, to Barry’s Bay Cheese and Coombe Farm. You’ll see sheepdogs work, watch shearing, meet the farming family, and enjoy tea with homemade scones.
“The driver/guide gave us a nice overview of the area with a few scenic stops for photos and was very informative. The stop at the cheese shop was nice (tasted several types of cheese) although they weren't working at the time. It was fun Read more”
Spend about three hours from Christchurch visiting a working sheep farm, watching sheep dogs round up a flock, seeing a shearing demonstration, and enjoying morning or afternoon tea. Hotel pickup is included, with an optional 45-minute tasting at Straight 8 Estate.
“Really wonderful tour. We got to see with my wife an authentic sheep farm, the shearing of a sheep, a sheep dog working going out to gather and bring back about 12 sheep and putthing them in a corner, all this done by a farmer only Read more”
Pick a coastline, a crater rim or a cellar door.
