Short answer
Agritourism in New Zealand means staying on a working farm, vineyard or orchard as a paying guest, usually with some participation in farm life. It typically costs NZ$120-$400 per night, with luxury rural lodges reaching NZ$3,000. The main forms are working farm stays (hands-on with stock), family farm holidays (animal contact for children), luxury rural lodges, and educational or school visits. Spring, September to November, is lambing and calving and the most active time to visit.
Agritourism is the industry word for what most travellers call a farm stay: staying on, and usually taking part in, a working agricultural property. In New Zealand that covers sheep and cattle stations, dairy farms, vineyards, orchards and high-country runs. This page explains how it works here and lists the properties that host guests.
Our selection criteria
- ✓A working agricultural property — farm, station, vineyard or orchard
- ✓Hosts paying overnight guests
- ✓Guests can see or take part in the farm operation
The list (12)
- 1
Quartz Hill Station
Canterbury · NZ$200–$380/night · sleeps 14
Third-generation high country sheep and deer station
- 2
Silverstream Alpaca Farmstay
Canterbury · NZ$220–$350/night · sleeps 6
Award-winning alpaca farm with luxury cottages
- 3
Beech Hill Luxury Country Stay
Canterbury · NZ$330–$450/night · sleeps 6
Luxury B&B in Southern Alps foothills
- 4
Bauchops Hill Farmstay
Canterbury · NZ$150–$250/night · sleeps 6
Working farm near Lake Tekapo with mountain views
- 5
Kotare Luxury B&B
Canterbury · NZ$225–$325/night · sleeps 2
Exclusive luxury B&B with orchard and mountain views
- 6
Lake Hawea Station
Otago · NZ$400–$650/night · sleeps 6
Expansive sheep station with luxury suites
- 7
Omarama Station
Otago · NZ$180–$320/night · sleeps 8
Three-generation merino sheep station with heritage accommodation
- 8
Criffel Station
Otago · NZ$150–$280/night · sleeps 12
Historic station with shearers quarters and glamping
- 9
Dunstan Downs
Otago · NZ$70–$200/night · sleeps 6
High country merino station with outdoor activities
- 10
Havrincourt Farm Boutique Accommodation
Otago · NZ$245–$295/night · sleeps 8
Boutique farm houses on working sheep and beef farm
- 11
Centrewood Historic Homestead
Otago · NZ$200–$250/night · sleeps 4
Coastal farm with private beaches and cliff walks
- 12
Montrose Manor and Cottage
Waikato · NZ$155–$320/night · sleeps 8
Waitomo's five-star hidden gem farm stay
Common questions
What is agritourism?
Agritourism is tourism based on a working agricultural property. In New Zealand it most often means a farm stay: paying to stay overnight on a working farm, station, vineyard or orchard, usually with some involvement in the day-to-day work.
How big is agritourism in New Zealand?
Farm stays operate in all 17 New Zealand regions, concentrated in Canterbury, Waikato, Otago and Marlborough. Most are small owner-operated businesses hosting between 2 and 20 guests.
What is the difference between agritourism and a farm stay?
Agritourism is the broader industry term and includes day visits, farm tours, cellar doors and pick-your-own. A farm stay is specifically overnight accommodation on a working property. Everything listed on this site is a farm stay.
Is agritourism the same as WWOOFing?
No. WWOOFing exchanges volunteer labour for board with no money changing hands. Agritourism guests pay to stay, and any farm work they do is optional and part of the experience.