New Zealand is known for its rural lifestyle and rich agricultural tradition. The country is best-known for its sheep and merino wool production, kiwi fruit exportation, and farmstay accommodation.
Senior group farm tours provide an ideal way for seniors to discover New Zealand’s stunning countryside, characterized by mountain ranges, glacial lakes and beautiful landscapes.
Agri-Tourism
No matter if it’s learning how to cultivate your own produce or taking an idyllic tractor tour through vineyards, Agri-Tourism has something for everyone. This emerging form of tourism connects travellers with local food, culture and flora while supporting small agricultural businesses in growth.
New Zealand is an exporter of meat, wool and kiwi fruit; therefore farms and ranches are widespread throughout its beautiful rural landscapes. While some farmers may hesitate to open up their homes and barns to tourists for authentic farm experiences, others recognize the opportunity for agri-tourism and capitalize on it accordingly.
Some farmers offer “stays on the farm” accommodations, where visitors can sleep in a barn or cottage on their property and immerse themselves in daily farm life activities owned by family. This unique experience gives travelers a deeper appreciation of New Zealand’s agricultural industry while giving them greater insight into its people, culture and lifestyle.
Agri-tourism provides farmers with an ideal way to combine their passion for farming with travel experiences. By opening their farms up to the public and creating travel experiences around agri-tourism, farmers can spread their message and help influence consumers’ purchasing and lifestyle choices – especially among Millennials who increasingly embrace sustainable practices and look up to industry leaders for guidance on this matter.
Eel Farms
Eel farming on a small scale is an affordable, low-investment venture. Eels can be raised using natural feed that’s both affordable and eco-friendly; feeding golden snails as part of natural pest management may work, or for later stages, steam-pressed or extruded pellets are also available as options for feeding them.
Eels develop very slowly, adding only centimeters each year. Living for 100 years or longer makes them among the longest-lived fish species. Their lifecycle involves four distinct stages: larval development known as glass eels occupy estuaries for their first year before maturing into elvers that migrate upstream where farmers capture and sell them back into supply chains for replenishment purposes.
Eels from New Zealand are sold to Japan for consumption as “kabayaki” as well as bait or added into sushi rolls, among other uses. New Zealand is the world’s top producer, producing about 130,000 tonnes annually – over 70% going directly into Japanese markets – harvesting them from both freshwater sources such as Waikato in South Island.
Alpaca Farms
If you love fluffy farm animals, New Zealand’s Alpaca farms might just be the right destination. Situated at high elevations with breathtaking panoramic views and plenty of open space where visitors can take pictures or pet the alpacas, these farms also sell products made with alpaca wool such as scarves and blankets; tours last about an hour for maximum learning opportunity!
If your group would like to spend the night on an alpaca farm, several self-contained cottages are available. Silverstream Alpaca Stud Farm features luxurious self-contained farmstay accommodations as well as tours that feature their resident alpacas who have won every major show across the country.
Alpacas are social animals and welcome being petted and groomed, although be wary of touching too hard as this will cause discomfort for them. Also be mindful that their sensitive skin needs protection in extreme temperatures as too much contact can lead to pain for them and they will seek shelter if conditions become uncomfortable for them.
Consider staying at a farm that offers luxury glamping tents as another alternative, designed to offer maximum comfort and warmth to guests. Some even feature hot spring spas or jacuzzis – making this an excellent getaway choice for families or groups wanting a romantic escape together.
Lavender Farms
Visits to lavender farms can be an incredible experience, providing visitors with a memorable stroll through sustainable lavender fields and purchase products made from them. Additionally, visitors can indulge in an afternoon tea featuring lavender honey ice cream or other lavender-related treats – not forgetting local produce available there too! A lavender farm should definitely be on every traveller’s itinerary in New Zealand!
The Lavender Manor is located a short drive from Wanaka. Boasting 20 acres of lavender and other plants, its open all year-round with November through March being ideal for visiting. In addition, tours and accommodation options are also provided by this farm.
Lavender flowers are an iconic part of food and drinks; you can use them in desserts, Champagne glasses or create refreshing drinks by mixing lavender with soda water and ice. A lavender farm trip makes for an amazing family adventure that will leave lasting memories!
Dansey’s Pass Lavender Farm is a family-owned business that sells all kinds of lavender products. Set against an idyllic mountain backdrop, its beautiful fields boast Jo and Barry’s passion for lavender; always looking to expand their plantation. Dansey’s has many varieties including Pacific Blue, Impress Purple Mailette Bojong Hidcote.