Shamarra Alpaca Farm Tours

Alpacas make excellent tour guides. At Shamarra Alpacas, you spend about an hour meeting these soft, curious animals on a hill above Akaroa Harbour, with volcanic hills and open valley views behind you. I like the close contact with the alpacas, and I like that the visit includes a proper introduction to their care, behavior, fleece, and differences from llamas.

The feeding and petting time gives the visit real appeal for children and adults, while the setting adds plenty of good photo chances. Staff can provide raincoats in wet weather, and visitors have also enjoyed light refreshments, clean toilets, homemade biscuits, and a small farm shop. The main catch is transport: you must drive yourself or arrange a ride ahead of time, and cruise passengers without a car can struggle to reach the farm.

Shamarra Alpacas at a glance

• Three-part animal encounter: Meet the alpacas, see newborns, then feed them grass from bowls.
• Akaroa Harbour views: The farm sits on the slopes above a beautiful harbour formed by an extinct volcano.
• About one hour long: It is easy to fit into a day in Akaroa without using up your whole schedule.
• Hands-on for families: You can pet, cuddle, photograph, and feed the alpacas under staff guidance.
• Open in every season: The scenery changes through the year, while the alpacas remain the main attraction.
• Self-drive required unless arranged: Transport is not included, so plan this part before you arrive.

Why this Akaroa farm visit is worth your time

Akaroa has plenty to offer, from its seaside setting to its unusual French and British character. Shamarra Alpacas gives you a reason to leave the village for a short outing into the hills, where the view opens across Akaroa Harbour and the surrounding peaks.

I like the scale of this experience. One hour is long enough to learn something, spend time with the animals, and take photos, but short enough to suit families, cruise schedules, or a busy day around the Banks Peninsula. You do not need to commit to a half-day farm excursion.

The visit also feels more useful than a simple photo stop. You learn about alpaca care, fleece colors, temperament, mating cycles, male and female behavior, and the animals’ habit of spitting when unhappy. That last topic gets a laugh, but it also helps you understand how to act around them.

The price is $38.26 per person. For that amount, admission, the guided animal contact, and the educational talk make fair value, especially if you enjoy farm visits or have children who want more than sightseeing from a coach window. It is less appealing if you only want a quick photograph, since the drive and transport planning add time and possible cost.

Getting from Akaroa to the farm

Shamarra Alpacas is about 20 minutes from the historic seaside village of Akaroa. From Christchurch Central, the drive is roughly 73 kilometers and takes a little over an hour, depending on road conditions and traffic.

You need to arrange your own transport. The simplest choice is to drive, but not everyone has a car. The farm advises visitors to contact them for transport providers, and options listed for the area include local taxis, shuttles, and private tour operators.

This matters most for people arriving by cruise ship. If your ship docks at Lyttelton, you will need to plan a car rental or private transfer before your day begins. If you arrive directly in Akaroa, local taxi services may be available, but you should still reserve a ride in advance rather than assume you can find one on the spot.

This is the one serious practical weakness of the experience. A booking confirmation alone does not solve the transport problem. Check your port, allow time for the drive, and confirm your return ride before paying for the farm visit.

The hilltop setting above Akaroa Harbour

The farm sits high above Akaroa Harbour, in a setting shaped by an extinct volcano. Craggy volcanic hills rise around the harbour, while rolling valleys and peaks spread away from the farm.

The views are not a minor extra. They give the visit a strong sense of place, and your photos will show more than an animal enclosure. An alpaca in the foreground, with the harbour behind it, makes a far better souvenir than another hurried portrait beside a tour bus.

The scenery changes with the seasons. The farm is open year-round, so you might see a different mood on a summer visit than on a cool, rainy day. Rain does not necessarily ruin the experience. Staff have provided raincoats, and the alpacas continue with their usual interest in grass and visitors.

Still, dress for exposed hill country and changing weather. The supplied information does not promise indoor animal areas or shelter for the full visit, so a waterproof outer layer is sensible. Good shoes will also make the farm setting easier to enjoy.

Three stages with the alpacas

The visit works best because it gives you several kinds of contact rather than one rushed feeding stop.

First, petting and meeting the alpacas

The opening section lets you get close to the adult alpacas. Staff explain how to approach them respectfully and can point out favorite spots for petting individual animals.

This guidance is useful. Alpacas look gentle, but they are still animals with their own boundaries. A calm approach gives children a better chance to enjoy the contact, and it helps prevent the visit from turning into a noisy scramble around the friendliest animal.

You might be able to pet or cuddle some of the alpacas, depending on the animals and the instructions on the day. Several visitors have enjoyed taking many photos here, and the staff encourage interaction rather than keeping you at a distance.

Second, seeing newborn alpacas

The next area focuses on the youngest animals. You may see newborn alpacas, including very young babies, but you are not allowed to pet them for obvious welfare reasons.

That rule is a good part of the experience, not a disappointment. It shows children that animal encounters have limits and that cute does not mean available for handling. Seeing a newborn is still special, particularly when a staff member explains how the young alpacas fit into the farm.

Some visitors have seen a baby only a few hours old. Newborn sightings cannot be guaranteed, so treat them as a lucky possibility rather than a promised feature.

Third, feeding the alpacas

The final section is usually the most active. You receive grass in bowls and feed the alpacas at close range.

Alpacas are friendly, but they are also very interested in food. Their enthusiasm makes this part funny and memorable, especially for children. Staff help you handle the feeding and explain how to interact with the animals without startling them.

You may also have the chance to feed young alpacas, depending on the animals present and the farm’s instructions. The feeding area gives you the best chance for close-up photographs, though you will want one hand free for the bowl and the other for your phone.

The people make the visit work

The staff receive some of the strongest praise connected with this experience. They are described as warm, patient, and genuinely interested in the animals.

Guides such as Jean have been singled out for clear explanations and an easy manner. Another guide is praised for showing visitors the individual sweet spots where particular alpacas like to be petted. That personal touch changes the visit from a standard animal encounter into a more thoughtful introduction to the herd.

You learn about everyday alpaca life, including their fleece colors, temperament, breeding cycle, and differences between males and females. You also hear about care routines and how to behave around animals that may spit if they feel threatened.

The farm has about 170 alpacas, so the staff have plenty of individual animals to discuss. Rising Sun, described as the farm’s king alpaca, has become a favorite character for visitors. Details like this help you remember the animals as individuals rather than as one fluffy group.

Family value, photography, and small extras

This is an easy activity for mixed-age groups. Young children get direct contact with the animals, while adults usually appreciate the scenery and the staff explanations. Teenagers who are hard to impress may at least be won over by the feeding bowls and the photo opportunities.

The experience also suits animal lovers who want a gentle activity. You do not need specialist farm knowledge, and most people can take part. The staff show you how to interact respectfully, which makes the visit feel comfortable for first-time alpaca encounters.

Do not expect a long farm walk or a full day of rural activities. The visit is a focused one-hour experience. That is a benefit if you are fitting it between Akaroa sightseeing, meals, or other bookings, but it may feel brief if you want extensive time among the animals.

The farm shop adds a pleasant finish. You might find alpaca socks and other goods, while homemade biscuits and light refreshments have also been offered. These extras are not the main reason to book, but they make the stop feel complete and give you a chance to take home something more useful than a novelty souvenir.

Weather, timing, and the one-hour schedule

Allow around one hour at the farm itself. Build in extra time for the drive from Akaroa, finding your way to the property, and arranging your return transport.

The schedule appears well suited to a morning or afternoon stop. It is also a practical length for children, who can enjoy the animals without tiring during a long guided visit. One person did feel rushed near the end, so keep your attention on the guide and avoid spending too long at the first animal area.

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Rain alone may not cancel the visit, since staff have supplied raincoats, but serious weather can change the plan.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy. If you are coordinating this with a cruise, be especially careful with timing, since transport problems are your responsibility.

What the $38.26 price really buys you

At $38.26 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Akaroa, but the price covers more than entry to a field.

You get admission to the farm, a guided introduction, close contact with alpacas, time to pet them, and a feeding session. You also get the setting above the harbour, where the scenery gives the visit a stronger sense of place.

For a family, the value improves because adults and children can take part together. You are not paying for a show that only younger children enjoy. The educational side gives adults a reason to stay engaged, and the short duration keeps the total outing manageable.

The price looks less attractive if you must pay a high taxi or private transfer charge on top. Transport is not included, and this can become the main cost of the outing. If you already have a car, the value is much clearer.

The strong 4.9 out of 5 rating from 117 ratings and a 97 percent recommendation rate support the idea that the experience usually delivers what it promises. They do not remove the transport issue, but they do point to consistently good animal contact, staff service, and scenery.

Who should book Shamarra Alpacas?

I would recommend this visit to:

• Families looking for a simple, hands-on activity
• First-time alpaca visitors
• Animal lovers who enjoy feeding and petting farm animals
• Photographers who want harbour views with their animal portraits
• Cruise passengers who can arrange transport in advance
• Visitors staying in Akaroa with a spare hour or two

I would think twice if you do not have a car, taxi reservation, or private transfer. I would also skip it if you dislike animal contact, have no interest in learning about farm care, or are trying to keep every excursion within walking distance of the village.

Should you book this Akaroa alpaca tour?

Yes, if you can solve the transport first. Shamarra Alpacas combines friendly animals, useful guidance, excellent views, and a manageable one-hour format. The chance to meet newborns, pet adult alpacas, and feed them grass gives the visit enough variety to keep it from feeling like a quick photo stop.

Book it as a relaxed Akaroa outing, not as a spontaneous port activity. Confirm how you will reach the farm and return afterward, allow time for weather, and keep your schedule flexible enough to enjoy the setting. With those details handled, the $38.26 price is fair for a family-friendly experience that offers both animal contact and a memorable view over the harbour.

FAQ

Where is Shamarra Alpacas?

Shamarra Alpacas is in the Akaroa area of New Zealand, on the slopes above Akaroa Harbour. It is about 20 minutes from the village of Akaroa.

How far is the farm from Christchurch?

The farm is just over an hour’s drive from Christchurch Central and is approximately 73 kilometers away.

How long does the alpaca experience last?

Allow about one hour for the farm visit.

Is transport included?

No. You must drive yourself or contact Shamarra Alpacas about transport providers. Transport is not included in the admission price.

Can I feed the alpacas?

Yes. The visit includes a feeding section where you receive grass in bowls and feed the alpacas.

Can I pet the alpacas?

Yes, the experience includes time to pet and interact with the alpacas. Newborn alpacas may be viewed but cannot be petted.

Is this activity suitable for children?

Yes. The farm describes the experience as family-friendly, and most people can participate. Children and adults can learn about, pet, photograph, and feed the alpacas.

Is the farm open all year?

Yes. Shamarra Alpacas is open year-round, with the scenery changing through the seasons.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If the farm cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.