FAQ

Four options are bookable. Shamarra's alpaca tour starts at USD 36, Pohatu's sheep farm nature tour at USD 58 for two hours, and the sheep farm shore excursion at USD 65.90. The full day trip from Christchurch, pairing an alpaca farm visit with a harbour cruise, runs from USD 165 per person with a minimum booking of four adult fares, and Pohatu's four-hour option costs more than its two-hour price.

For the shortest outing, the alpaca farm wins. Shamarra's tour runs about an hour from USD 36, with 11am, 1pm and 4pm start times, and includes feeding the animals plus a drink and home-baked cookie. If sheep matter more to you, the Pohatu two-hour option starts at USD 58, and the sheep farm shore excursion takes about 2.5 hours.

Partly. The shore excursion collects you at the port and drops you back, and the Pohatu tour meets at 8 Rue Balguerie in Akaroa village, so both work without a car. Shamarra Alpacas is different: no transport to the farm is provided, so you would need your own arrangement to reach 328 Wainui Main Road.

Yes, the sheep farm excursion is built for port days. It lasts about 2.5 hours, sets off at 2:00pm from the Britomart Cannon beside the i-SITE, and includes port pickup and drop-off, so it fits a day in port. Ships tender passengers to Drummond's Jetty in the 2026/27 season, and the vehicle is air-conditioned with an onboard local guide.

All four tours allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and that window is the one to check if your schedule changes. The sheep farm excursion also carries a Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee per its listing. Beyond that window, contact the operator directly about your specific situation.

The farming is real but shares the time with sightseeing stops. Coombe Farm gets 60 minutes for a sheep shearing demonstration and sheepdog work, which is the heart of it. The rest of the 2.5 hours splits between Akaroa Harbour at 30 minutes, Hilltop Tavern at 20 and Barrys Bay Cheese at 15, so expect a mix of drive-by views and one full hour on the farm.

Entry-level farm visits start at USD 36 for the alpaca tour. The Pohatu sheep farm option begins at USD 58 for two hours, and the shore excursion at USD 65.90. For the Christchurch day trip, budget from USD 165 per person, then add activity costs on top because farm entry and the harbour cruise are not confirmed as covered, and note the minimum booking equals four adult fares.

Generally yes. Shamarra charges a child price for ages 3 to 15 with no minimum age listed, and the shore excursion only asks that infants sit on laps, again with no minimum age listed. Older travellers should find the shore excursion comfortable, with port pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle and an onboard guide, while Pohatu uses a 4WD minivan for its scenic route.

The full day trip from Christchurch is your match. It runs eight hours, picks up and drops off at your Christchurch accommodation, and includes a driver and guide alongside the alpaca farm visit and harbour cruise. It costs from USD 165 per person as a private group, the minimum booking equals four adult fares, and tour activity costs are not included, so farm entry is not confirmed as covered.