Christchurch Sheep Farm Day Trip: Hand-Feed & Shearing

Six hours on a working sheep farm, then wine tasting in Waipara Valley

A six-hour day trip from Lyttelton to Glenafric farmstead near Amberley, where you meet three generations of the Hoban family, hand-feed sheep, watch live shearing and working dogs, explore a vintage tractor museum, and eat a regional grazing lunch at Louise's Lookout. The tour includes a guided tasting of five wines at Georges Road Wines and a narrated drive through Christchurch's Botanical Gardens. Designed for cruise passengers with guaranteed return to the ship on time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Farm visit, winery tasting, and garden tour

• Meet local kiwi guide at pickup
• Tour Botanical Gardens
• Visit Glenafric working farmstead
• Meet Hoban family and feed sheep
• Watch working dogs herd livestock
• Explore tractor museum and woolshed
• Enjoy scenic picnic lunch at Louise's Lookout
• Visit Georges Road Wines for tasting
• Meet winemaker and taste five varietals
• Shop at cellar door for wine
• Return to Lyttelton port

The experience

The day starts at Norwick Quay in Lyttelton and heads north to Glenafric, a working sheep and cattle farm where the Hoban family has lived for generations. You'll meet the farmers directly, hand-feed sheep and lambs, and watch James Hoban demonstrate live shearing. The farm also keeps working dogs that herd livestock in real conditions, not a performance, but the daily work. A custom tractor-trailer takes you through the pastures and past the vintage tractor museum and woolshed, so you see how the property actually runs.

Lunch is a gourmet regional grazing platter served picnic-style at Louise's Lookout, a spot on the farm with South Pacific Ocean views. After eating, the group moves to Georges Road Wines in Waipara Valley, where winemaker Kirk leads a tasting of five signature varietals: Rosé, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. You get time to browse the cellar door shop and buy a bottle if you want one. The tour wraps with a short narrated drive through Christchurch's Botanical Gardens before heading back to the port.

Your local Kiwi guide stays with the group throughout and provides commentary on the farm, the region, and the city. The bus holds a maximum of 18 people, so it never feels crowded. Because the tour is timed for cruise passengers, the driver ensures you're back at Lyttelton in time for ship departure. A detail that matters when your accommodation is floating.

What’s included

• Exclusive access to Glenafric working farm with three generations of the Hoban family.
• hand-feeding sheep and live shearing demonstrations.
• working dog herding in real farm conditions.
• vintage tractor museum and woolshed tour via custom tractor-trailer.
• gourmet regional grazing platter lunch at Louise's Lookout.
• guided wine tasting of five varietals at Georges Road Wines in Waipara Valley.
• narrated drive through Christchurch Botanical Gardens.
• local Kiwi guide with commentary throughout.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• iconic Kiwi snack on the outbound trip.
• guaranteed return to Lyttelton port on time for cruise ship departure.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (10 to 14 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Real New Zealand Farm Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're cruising and want hands-on farm work (feeding sheep, watching shearing) with your children aged 10+, all within walking distance of the ship.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 14 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do I get to do with the sheep at Glenafric?

You hand-feed sheep and lambs directly, and watch farmer James Hoban perform live shearing demonstrations. The farm also has working dogs that herd livestock in real farm conditions, so you see the animals and the people who manage them in their actual daily routine.

Is the wine tasting at Georges Road Wines included, or do I pay extra?

The tasting is included. Winemaker Kirk guides you through five signature varietals (Rosé, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Syrah), and you can browse and buy bottles at the cellar door shop if you choose.

How long does the farm visit take, and what else is on the itinerary?

The whole tour runs six hours from Lyttelton. You spend time at Glenafric for the farm experience and shearing, eat lunch at Louise's Lookout on the property, then move to the winery for tasting, and finish with a short narrated drive through Christchurch's Botanical Gardens before returning to the port.

Will I make it back to my cruise ship on time?

Yes. The tour is specifically designed for Lyttelton cruise passengers, and the driver guarantees your return to Norwick Quay in time for ship departure. Pickup is at Norwick Quay, Lower Street, Lyttelton. Take the shuttle from your ship to that point.

How many people travel on this tour?

The maximum group size is 18 people, and only passengers booked on this specific trip travel together. The air-conditioned vehicle is shared, but it never feels crowded.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is a gourmet regional grazing platter served picnic-style at Louise's Lookout on the farm. An iconic Kiwi snack is also provided on the outbound trip.