Glenorchy Animal Experience is one of the must-visit places when you’re in South Island, New Zealand. Located on a beautiful stretch along the Glenorchy lookout, the backdrop on clear days combined with friendly animals on the family farm will provide an unforgettable experience for everyone.
Even though I visited the farm on a not-so-good day (the weather fogs up really fast during the shoulder season approaching winter!), I still had tons of fun feeding the animals. Before heading to the open-air farm, the staff managing the farm gave us clear instructions on what to do and what not to do.
Cost
At NZD25/adult, NZD15/child or for a family package costing NZD60 for 2 adults and 3 children, this experience is priceless!
When to visit?
I would think that the best times are during Spring (if you can handle the pollen), Summer and Autumn. Try to avoid the shoulder seasons, such as in early June, which was when we visited.
Tip: It’s also recommended to get the shoe covers, as there is a lot of poop and dander which will get stuck to your shoes. There is an additional cost to purchasing the shoe covers. You can also bring your own plastic bags too.
There were sheep, goats, llamas, pigs, cows, chickens… and dogs of course!
The animals were extremely gentle, especially the horse. The staff also told us to take our masks off, as animals tend to trust better. We were also warned to not tease i.e. keep pulling back and play with the feeds. The animals will get aggressive or lose trust.
I remembered that there was some donkeys, and a sign saying to watch out for them if they keep digging their hooves into the ground and not behaving when approaching to feed. It was pretty fun to pet all the animals (but be careful, some don’t like it!).
Everything is clearly signposted, so best to follow them! There is always a staff nearby throughout the property, so you can approach them for any assistance or advice.
Had the weather cleared up, the backdrop of this image would be the mountains!
There were also peacocks too. Like the other birds, we were not allowed to feed them as they have a different diet than the four legged animals. There were pigs too, but I forgot to take photos of them!
Honestly, it was a shame that the weather wasn’t favourable. It actually cleared up 1 hour after we left! Weather during the shoulder season is pretty unpredictable at times. Nonetheless, I loved every bit of interaction I had with the animals.
Would come back again!