• Alpaca Farm Tours – Trade Information

    Trade Information 

Whats up with Rising Sun

Rising Sun

I’m a bit of celebrity around the farm and on social media. My fleece is super soft and luxurious, but even more than that, I’m apparently a one-of-a-kind, perfect specimen of an alpaca! I’m also as lovable as I am handsome, so pop into Shamarra Alpacas for a tour and a pat.

Whats up with Harlequin

Harlequin

A glamorous damsel through and through, I’m a big fan of being groomed well ahead of a photo op (your next selfie on a farm tour). My big eyes look even better when my fleece is on fleek. And I’ve been known to wear the odd denim jacket or hat, depending on the season.

But don’t be intimidated by my flair for fashion; I’m always up for a solid cuddle like my other friends.

Whats up with Tornado

Tornado

I absolutely adore wee human kiddos and alpaca babies alike! Arguably the friendliest of all the furry faces here at Shamarra, I like to get visits and snuggles year-round.

Season:  September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026

  • Retail Rates
    • Adult $60 (16yrs +)
    • Child (3-15 yrs) $35
    • Infant (0-2 yrs) FOC

Season:  September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027

  • Retail Rates
    • Adult $65 (16yrs +)
    • Child (3-15 yrs) $35
    • Infant (0-2 yrs) FOC

Tour guides are only FOC for groups of 15+ guests.

Tours are offered in English and Mandarin.

Contact Us:

Anya & Frank Walkington

tours@shamarra-alpacas.co.nz

(03) 3045141


Automated Booking system – live inventory available through Rezdy API – contact us for connection activation

Manual bookings by email (tours@shamarra-alpacas.co.nz) – information required:

  • Date of tour
  • Time of tour (11am, 1pm, 4pm)
  • Name of guests
  • Number of people for booking including infants
  • Children – ages
  • Contact number of guest (preferably NZ number)
  • Notify us if customer is driving a camper van

Cancellation Policy – if a cancellation is made by the customer within 48 hours of arrival day, loss of 100% of the total booking price will apply.  If a customer would like to reschedule, we will happily do that provided we have availability for the requested date/time change.

Agent Group Bookings – No refunds within 7 days of participation time/date unless the Operator cancels the activity due to waterway, road or weather conditions.

Rainy Day – farm tours can proceed on rainy days as we have under cover facilities and also provide rain jackets.

Extreme weather event – in the event we cancel a tour due to extreme weather conditions, we will refund customer if payment has been made in advance.

Farm Road/Parking – Our farm road has also been upgraded with a concrete surface in most parts.  Please let your customers know that our road is a one way road and is ALWAYS open for guests arriving for a farm tour.  When guests depart, they will be told by a staff member when the road is open for them to drive down.

All guests driving cars and vans up to 14 seats must park at the reception building.  Buses and large motorhomes must park in the designated parking area at the entrance and phone (03) 3045141 for pick up.

Groups Parking – Please note instructions for bus driver – BUS MUST ARRIVE AT PARKING AREA (opposite French Farm toilets).   Driver must call 021770632  – 20 minutes before arrival for parking instructions.  Guests will be transferred from parking area to Shamarra Alpaca Farm.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZcZ3Gz14zXUFgbXa7?g_st=i

Check In process – guests must arrive 15 minutes before tour booking time.   All guests are required to check-in on arrival through our digital check-in system.

Late Arrival – if guests arrive after start of tour, they will be able to join the tour in progress.  Tour will still end at scheduled time.

Payment Procedures – We require company credit card details for security.  Credit card details to be provided (name, number, expiry, CV).  Credit card number to be provided as security (only charged in event of late payment or charged on request with the addition of a transaction fee of 3%)

  • A statement will be emailed at end of month of tour with payment due on receipt of invoice/statement to our bank account.
  • Bank Details – Shamarra Ltd, Account no. 03 0252 0611318 00, Swift code:  WPACNZ2W

Images and videos available for marketing – download here

//

Alpaca Farm Tour 

Tour Days:

7 days per week (closed on Christmas Day and 2 days late November for shearing)

Our tours are available in English and Mandarin


Tour Times:

  • 11am
  • 1pm
  • 4pm

Duration:

  • 1 hour

//

Tour Itinerary

  • Tour starts with a brief introduction to alpacas and their unique and quirky habits. Guests will come into close contact with their new found friends, so we’ll also give a quick safety briefing with an alpaca in the barn for demonstration.
  • An award-winning alpaca fleece is on display, and they’ll get to feel the incredible cashmere-like softness of superfine alpaca whilst simultaneously learning about its amazing qualities.
  • We will then walk guests through our alpaca herd where they can enjoy interacting with these gentle animals while they graze contentedly in their natural habitat. While doing so, they’ll see our sustainable farming practices first hand, and learn about how we keep our adorable alpacas safe, healthy and happy.
  • Feed the mothers with their young by their side. This provides some amazing close-up alpaca contact and great photos of the cutest of cute.
  • Take advantage of the views across Akaroa harbour which are absolutely phenomenal and provide endless photo opportunities for lasting memories of your visit to our farm.
  • At the end of their tour, guests will enjoy a beverage and one of our famous home-baked cookies.
  • They’ll then be able to browse the Shamarra Alpaca Shop. It’s a boutique collection of luxurious, natural and 100% dye-free alpaca knitwear made in New Zealand.

 

THIS IS
THE LAND OF CUTE

Memorable moments surrounded by quirky critters with a tonne of love to give.

If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping to a place of warm hugs and postcard-perfect surroundings, welcome.

A Shamarra Alpacas Farm Tour is an unparalleled opportunity to get up close and personal with alpacas, learn about this loving animal, and create some memories with friends and family in a stunning location.

You’ll find your new furry friends here in a beautiful harbour on the slopes of an extinct volcano and overlooked by craggy volcanic hills. Shamarra Alpacas is just over an hour’s drive (73km) from Christchurch Central, and only a 20 minute trip from the historic seaside village of Akaroa, which is worth visiting for its culture and architecture alone. Our panoramic views of Akaroa harbour and the rolling hills and peaks of the surrounding valleys are breath-taking, and will make every one of your selfies with an alpaca post-worthy.

We are open year round, with the scenery changing beautifully through each season and the alpacas staying cute throughout.

//

About Us

Anya and Frank founded Shamarra Alpacas in 2004 with just a small herd of 5 alpacas. Today, our alpacas number over 170 and a team of passionate guides are on hand to share the alpaca love with visitors from across the globe.

Our super-knowledgeable and beyond-friendly staff will introduce you to the world of alpaca rearing, the unique traits of the alpaca, and bring you into the family fold with tips and tricks for the best cuddles! The team is also culturally diverse, meaning we can offer tours in either English or Mandarin.

Find out more

//

Tiaki Promise

As sustainable farmers here at Shamarra Alpacas, we’re conscious of our impact on Aotearoa and endeavour to care for it. With every cria born and every visitor on site, we uphold the Tiaki promise.

The Tiaki Promise is a wero (challenge or commitment) to respect and protect New Zealand and its natural beauty and resources. We’re very lucky to be positioned in beautiful Akaroa, with an idyllic spot overlooking the harbour. To look after our little patch, and to contribute to the care of Aotearoa as a whole, we follow deeply-ingrained sustainable farming and tour operator practices, and the cultural stories behind alpaca rearing is also a significant nod to our Tiaki promise.

Find out more

Meet our Alpacas

//
Shamarra Alpacas view over Akaroa
  • “The reviews speak for themselves. This is a must visit place if you intent to visit the South Island. I can’t recommend this place enough! They have wonderful and cute alpacas. They look so happy! It’s refreshing to see such passionate care the owners take for their alpacas. The clothes you can buy are very well made and excellent gifts. Please come here!  ”

    Paul F, Google review – April 2025

  • “This experience exceeded our expectations, it was really informative and interesting. We got lots of time to be right up close and pat the alpacas and we took great photos. The shop had really beautiful alpaca garments, beautiful quality. Highly recommend this as a day trip from Christchurch with a stop at the Little River cafe and gallery.”

    Carol, Google Review, January 2025

  • We had an amazing experience at Shamarra, the host I and Jenny were very welcoming and accommodating from the moment we arrived they came out and guided us to an available carpark until we drove out the driveway always with 1 ensuring it was safe to exit. They were very informative throughout the tour, offered complimentary drink and snack and made sure everybody on the tour had all of their questions answered and needs meet. The farm was very beautifully maintained with an amazing view over the bay. I would highly recommend this tour for both NZ residents as well as tourist. I'd also recommend buying some of the very high quality products from the store, we bought a blanket and it is very soft and beautiful.

    Jason, Tripadvisor review – March 2025

  • “I had the most amazing and exciting experience at Shamarra! The staff were extremely friendly and informative. You can tell they truly love their alpacas, especially because they can tell you every alpacas name and their background information!! They also offer raincoats if it is raining which is super handy! This is a must do activity if you are visiting Christchurch. Not only do you get to cuddle the alpacas but you also get to feed them. I would absolutely do it again!!”

    Joey, Google Review – February 2025

  • “HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! it was beyond nice!! the guide explained everything about the alpacas, we weere able to pet and feed them. the staff was very friendly and chatty, we received complimentary drinks and cookies. definitely worth it when visiting akaroa!!”

    Lili, Google Review – January 2025

top