Day on Birchwood Farm with Farmer John & Kristin – A Genuine New Zealand Farm Experience In Kaikoura South Island NZ
3–4 Hours | Private Farm Experience
Pick-up available from Kaikōura
Price: $720 for 1–2 guests | Additional guests $100 per person
Optional home-hosted lunch: $90 per person
Step beyond the farm gate and experience the real New Zealand with Farmer John and Kristin at Birchwood Farm, nestled among the beautiful rolling hills of the Hundalees.
This is more than a farm tour—it is an opportunity to spend time with a local farming family, hear their stories, meet the animals, and discover what life is truly like on a working New Zealand sheep and beef farm.
With your own private group, the experience is relaxed, personal, and tailored to your interests. Whether you are passionate about farming, love animals, enjoy conservation, photography, or simply want to experience genuine Kiwi hospitality, your visit can be shaped around what interests you most.
John has spent many years working the land and loves sharing the stories behind farming life. You’ll learn how New Zealand sheep and beef farming works, how the seasons influence daily life, why different farming practices are used, where our wool and meat travel around the world, and how farming is evolving to become more sustainable for future generations.
Depending on the season and what is happening on the farm, you may have the opportunity to:
Meet sheep, cattle, and working farm dogs
Watch skilled sheepdogs bring the flock together
Learn how farmers communicate with their dogs and even have a go using a sheep whistle
Watch a sheep shearing demonstration (season permitting)
Walk through native bush and learn about the farm’s conservation efforts
For those wanting a hands-on experience, there may also be opportunities to become part of farm life. Depending on the season, you might help draft sheep, plant a native tree, or learn about conservation work protecting our native environment.
Insider tip: Every farm visit is different. New Zealand farming follows the seasons, so your experience depends on what is happening on the farm that day. Spring brings new life, summer offers long daylight hours, autumn is a beautiful time for walking, and winter provides an authentic insight into the challenges of farming.
You can also choose to add a home-hosted lunch and enjoy genuine Kiwi hospitality while sharing stories around the table—often one of the most memorable parts of visiting a New Zealand farm.
Come and experience New Zealand beyond the scenery. Meet the people, hear the stories, and discover the heart of rural life at Birchwood Farm.