Akaroa: Shamarra Alpaca Farm Tour & Harbour Views

Drive to an Alpaca Farm Overlooking Akaroa Harbour

You drive to the farm near Akaroa, spend time with alpacas in a paddock overlooking the harbour, and learn about the animals in a setting framed by volcanic hills. The twenty-minute drive from the village is straightforward, and the farm welcomes all ages and fitness levels year-round. Bring a camera and allow a couple of hours to really settle in with the herd.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Shamarra Alpaca Farm

• Drive to Shamarra Alpaca Farm
• Meet and interact with alpacas
• Enjoy panoramic views of Akaroa Harbour
• Take photos with alpacas and scenery
• Explore nearby Akaroa village (optional)

The experience

Driving out from Akaroa, the road climbs toward the slopes of an extinct volcano, and after about twenty minutes you'll pull into Shamarra Alpaca Farm. The setting stops you: the paddocks open onto Akaroa Harbour below, with craggy volcanic hills rising behind, and the whole thing feels less like a farm visit and more like you've stumbled into someone's private valley. The alpacas are waiting, and they're exactly as soft and curious as you'd hoped.

The farm sits just over an hour from Christchurch Central (73 kilometres), which makes it a reachable half-day or full-day trip if you're renting a car on the South Island. You'll get up close with the animals, learn how they're raised, and have the kind of unguarded time with them that makes for the photos people actually want to see, not posed, just you and a friendly alpaca with that view behind you. The farm operates year-round, so whether you visit in spring when the valleys are green or autumn when the light turns golden, the alpacas stay the same: unbothered and approachable.

If you don't want to drive yourself, Shamarra Alpacas can point you toward local transport providers who handle the route. Either way, you're looking at a straightforward trip from Akaroa's historic village: the kind of place worth an hour's wander before or after, with colonial architecture and a working harbour that's been there since the 1800s. The farm's panoramic views mean your phone will fill up fast, and the alpacas don't seem to mind being part of the process.

What’s included

• Your visit includes access to the alpaca farm, time to interact with and learn about the animals, and full use of the panoramic harbour and valley views.
• GST is included in the price.
• You arrange your own transport (self-drive or via a local provider) to reach the farm.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00, 13:00 and 16:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendly

Operated by Shamarra Alpaca Farm Tours

Is this one for you?Right for families, couples, or anyone wanting a low-pressure animal encounter with a genuine view: the farm's small scale and harbour setting mean you're not herding through crowds, and the year-round access means you can fit it around your South Island itinerary without worrying about seasonal closures.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is Shamarra Alpaca Farm from Christchurch?

Just over an hour's drive, about 73 kilometres from Christchurch Central. It's a 20-minute drive from Akaroa village.

Do I have to drive myself to the farm?

You can self-drive, or contact Shamarra Alpacas for recommendations on local transport providers who service the route.

Is the farm open year-round?

Yes, it operates all year. The scenery changes with the seasons, but the alpacas are there throughout.

Is the farm wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

What's included in the visit?

Close time with the alpacas, the chance to learn about them, and access to the farm's panoramic views of Akaroa Harbour and the surrounding valleys.