Akaroa Shore Excursion: Harbour, Cheese & Sheep Farm

Sheepdog work and shearing happen live in front of you, not in a video.

A 2.5-hour shore excursion from Akaroa Wharf combines a guided drive through Akaroa Harbour and township with a working sheep farm visit where you watch sheepdog work, see a shearing demonstration, and have afternoon tea. The tour includes port pickup and drop-off timed to your cruise ship's schedule, cheese tastings at a local factory, and stops along the volcanic crater rim for harbour views. A live English-speaking guide leads the group through both the township and the farm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Akaroa Harbour and Sheep Farm Tour

• Pickup from Akaroa Wharf
• Drive through Akaroa Harbour
• Stop for photos at Summit Road
• Visit Hilltop Tavern for coffee or tea
• Cheese tasting at Barry’s Bay Cheese Factory
• Drive to Coombe Farm
• Watch sheepdog work and penning
• Sheep shearing demonstration
• Enjoy afternoon tea
• Return to cruise ship

The experience

You have a few hours between ship and departure, and Akaroa Harbour is worth more than a quick walk around the wharf. This tour picks you up at the port and drives you through the township and inner bays first, stopping at the Hilltop Tavern near the crater rim for views across the peninsula and time for coffee or tea. At Barry's Bay, you'll taste local cheese at a working factory before heading to Coombe Farm, where the real work happens: you watch sheepdog trials as the dogs round up the flock, then see a live shearing demonstration. Afternoon tea comes after, and the driver has you back at the ship in time to re-board.

The farm stop is the centre of the day. You're not watching a staged show. The dogs are working the flock for real, and you get close enough to touch and photograph the sheep once they're penned. The shearing demonstration is arranged for the tour, so you see the process without waiting around. The drive itself carries the history: your guide points out the landscape and explains what shaped this part of the South Island. The air-conditioned coach means you're comfortable even if the weather turns, and the timing is locked to your ship's docking and re-boarding windows, so there's no guessing whether you'll make it back.

What’s included

• Driver and live English-speaking guide.
• port pickup and drop-off timed to your cruise ship.
• afternoon tea at the farm.
• sheepdog work and shearing demonstration.
• cheese tastings at Barry's Bay Cheese Factory.
• air-conditioned coach.
• Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 22

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Leisure Tours

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here: the farm stops are intimate enough that you're not jostling for space to see the dogs work or the shearing. If you're cruising with family and want something active but not strenuous, or if you're a solo traveler who prefers a guided group over exploring alone, the fixed schedule and port timing mean you can relax. The logistics are already locked to your ship.

Traveler reviews

4.55★★★★★★★★★★

11 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years); Infant (under 3).

How does the tour time work with my cruise ship schedule?

At booking, you provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time. The tour is 2.5 hours, and the driver times the port pickup and drop-off to fit your ship's timetable, so the schedule can shift slightly depending on when your vessel docks.

What happens at the sheep farm?

At Coombe Farm, you watch sheepdog trials as the dogs work the flock and pen them, then you're able to touch and photograph the sheep up close. A shearing demonstration follows, and the tour provides afternoon tea before returning you to the wharf.

What's included in the cheese factory stop?

The Cheese Factory in Barry's Bay offers tastings of local cheese. You can sample and purchase if you'd like, though buying is optional.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. The coach is air-conditioned and you'll spend time on the farm and at viewing stops, so it suits all physical fitness levels.