Farm Tours

Tour Pick Up

You’ll be picked up in our Toyota Prado with comfortable forward facing seats.  We offer a pick-up and drop-off service from Wellington Railway Station, Wellington CBD hotels and Wellington i-SITE centre. Or drive out to Tussock Ridge Farm yourself for a discounted rate.

You’ll be driven northwest of the city for 20 minutes out to the rural Ohariu Valley, travelling past local farms with sheep, cattle and horses. The real excitement begins as we embark on the 24 kms of purpose-built wind farm road where you will be able to stand directly underneath one of the 26 wind turbines located on the farm.

Cabin

First stop: Feeding the wild Kaimanawas

Our first stop will have you feeding the wild Kaimanawa horses who are descendants of the first wild horses discovered in NZ back in 1876.

Back into the vehicle and you will travel past sheep and cattle.  There will be plenty of photo opportunities throughout the tour.

Your tour guide, who is also the farmer of the land, will be giving information throughout about the general day to day operation of the farm and what’s involved with working with 1000 sheep, 90 cattle and 40 horses.

Kaimanawas

Second stop: Stand beneath a 111 metre tall wind turbine

The next stop is at one of the massive wind turbines. Feel and hear the power of this magnificent 111 metre tall feat of precision engineering as it rotates its blades directly right above you!

Third stop: Morning/Afternoon tea at our Shepherd’s cabin on the cliffs

We then head out to our shepherd’s cabin on the cliffs where complimentary morning or afternoon tea is served while you enjoy stunning views across the Cook Strait and the South Island.

​This is where the Pacific Ocean merges with the Tasman Sea. Experience New Zealand’s natural beauty and get a glimpse of what the early settlers must have marvelled at when first arriving in this untouched and rugged country.

​Enjoy a wooly encounter with our pet sheep.  Help feed them too, they love gingernut biscuits!

Final stop: Feed our wild eels at Ohariu Stream

We make our final stop at Ohariu Stream, which runs through the property. Here you can feed our wild eels.

Visit the eels

Tour Drop Off

Finally, you are driven back to your destination having experienced a slice of the real rural New Zealand.

Tour Details

  • Tours depart daily at either 10.30am or 1pm – bookings essential
  • Duration is 3 1/2hours
  • Price $120 per adult and $45 per child for pick-ups from Tussock Ridge Farm in Ohariu Valley
  • Price $160 per adult and $65 per child (2-14 years – under 2 years free) for pickup in Wellington CBD. Pickup available from Wellington Railway Station, Wellington I-Site or your CBD Hotel accommodation.
  • Minimum of 2 passengers and maximum of 4 passengers per tour for pick-ups from Wellington City
  • Maximum of 6 passengers per tour from Tussock Ridge Farm in Ohariu Valley
  • Car seats available for babies and younger children on request

Reviews

“We had an absolutely fantastic time on Ward’s tour. It was unlike anything else we have experienced. From the incredible scenery and windy weather to the beautiful animals and local stories – the whole tour was excellent. Just want to mention that Ward’s wife very kindly baked us vegan muffins for morning tea, and five months on, we still talk about them. Hands down the best blueberry muffins we have ever had. I want the recipe! Do this. Do this. Do this.”
– Mia

Definitely a highlight of my trip to Wellington! Farmer Ward took us on a tour through the wind turbine farm and mountainous roads to his seaside cabin. We stopped to feed carrots to the wild horses he saved and had a leisurely afternoon tea and homemade blueberry muffins with sheep. Everyone fell in love with Mr. Bumpy the sheep who thinks he is a dog! Finally, we stopped by a freshwater stream to feel the giant eels. Ward is a wonderful guide and hardworking farmer. Recommend this unique experience for everyone of all ages!
– Midori

 

I can highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Wellington and wanting something authentic and a bit different. Not only do you meet a Ward who was delightful company, but you feed carrots to wild horses, make the acquaintance of a group of tame sheep who eat ginger nut biscuits, tour his impressive wind farm and meet the eels who eat chicken. The farm itself is magnificently sited and the scenery is spectacular. Ward’s wife provided the muffins and tea and we were picked up and dropped off at the wharf as we were on a cruise. So much better than the organised tours through the ship. Thanks so much Ward for an unforgettable day.
– Doug & Maggie
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