10 Farms in South Island That You Shouldn't Miss

One hour’s drive west of Christchurch. A comprehensive sheep farm tour viewing 7,000 sheep and seasonal farming activities -sheep dog mustering, sheep handling, lamb feeding (in season). A visit to Middle Rock offers the opportunity to be guests of a New Zealand farming family in a non-commercial environment amidst the stunning high country scenery of the Lake Coleridge area. There is no minimum number and family groups are a specialty.

Hedgerows is a boutique hydroponic farm specializing in providing premium grade hydroponic strawberries for everyone. Our shop and garden is situated in the heart of the our farm. Come sit back, relax and enjoy the fresh strawberries, strawberry preserves and real fruit ice-cream or frozen yogurt. Hedgerows is family owned and operated with a fresh and welcoming atmosphere. Open from September to January.

Gem Alpaca Stud is situated on the main highway from Christchurch to Queenstown - perfectly placed for your stop over. Come on in and feed, touch and meet our Alpaca, Llama & sheep. Get your up close photos with our beautiful animals. Large covered veranda and outdoor seating with our farm shop open 7 days featuring a huge range of alpaca products. We also now have refreshments, ice creams, coffee and cold drinks. Farm Visits daily 11am, 1pm and 3pm $25.00 per adult, $15 per child, children 5 and under are FREE. PLEASE NOTE: No public toilets on site. please use facilities in the township just 1 minutes drive away.

Cheeki cherries is now the home of Dam good fruit, come along and have a great day with the family. We offer 18 varieties of cherries with over 2000 trees to choose from. We also have peaches, apricots, plums, nectrarines, raspberries and strawberries.

Famlan is an animal farm park that's an Ideal outing for Families, Schools, Preschools, groups and animal lovers of all ages. All of our animals are very friendly most will let you get in with them some will be all over you (especially if you have FOOD) Last entry is at 3.30pm

Real Country teaches our guests how to do awesome activities like clay target shooting and cracking stock whips and provides authentic rural experiences. Visit Real Country for the best group activities EVER (seriously, just check out our reviews!) If you are looking to build confidence in your abilities, learn some new practical skills, or just have a delightful private on-farm experience with your friends and family, then book a Real Country Experience today!

Glenorchy Animal Experience is situated on a terrace overlooking Lake Wakatipu surrounded by mountains and stunning scenery. Come and pat, feed, photograph and interact with our many friendly farm animals. From alpaca to Pablo the donkey: something for everyone and suitable for all ages. Daily shearing demonstrations at 2.30pm during Spring, Summer, and Autumn. No Shearing during winter. Souvenir Shop on site.

Come and experience life on an authentic family-run working deer farm. Take a 4wd tour, meet and feed our friendly alpaca, sheep and visit our majestic deer as they grace, with stunning panoramic views and interactive farmyard. A visit to Criffel Station is an experience not to be missed! Tours: Join us for a family-friendly 4wd adventure through Criffel Station to the heights of the Criffel Range overlooking Wanaka. We’ll start with a look around the station and the farming operation before heading up into the hills in the comfort of our luxury 4wd vehicle for an authentic high country experience and a morning or afternoon tea you won’t forget in a hurry. See the awe-inspiring beauty of alpine New Zealand through the eyes of a high country farming family… We’d love to show you around the special place we call home. Explore Tour - Get close to our friendly animals and have an opportunity to feed them. They love having their photo taken too!

FARM TOURS conducted 2x daily 10am and 12pm. 2 hrs including introduction, health & safety and kitting up. We supply standard farming kit - gumboots, overalls, wet weather gear (when required). Rain or shine, except storms. +-20-25 min briefing +-45 min in paddock viewing calves (born Aug/Sept 2016), viewing Rising 2's (born 2015) and discussion on the goals in breeding and rearing dairy stock. Q & A. +-40 min with small animals - Cayuga ducks, Araucana chickens, Giant Flemish Giant kits, Birman kittens, highlander stock and discussion on their care. you can feed and touch them. +-10-15 min walk back to de-kit and finish. Refer Hukawai Lodge website for updated information.

This distinctive accommodation is designed to maximise the extraordinary views of the Mackenzie Country both day and night, with a bedroom built predominantly of glass. This unique building comprises a glass-roofed bedroom, as well as a grass roofed kitchenette and bathroom and is located on a farm, within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.