Milford Sound
Why one of the best things to do in Te Anau involves rolling up your sleeves
Te Anau is more than the gateway to Milford Sound, it is the perfect place to spend a little time, meet some locals, and get hands-on! And we know just the place where you can roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.
Woodstone Farm is part of our Te Anau Farm Tour and is a place where you can hand-feed a highland cow, watch the farmer expertly shear a sheep or pose for a selfie with an alpaca.
Why a hands-on farm experience should be on your NZ must-do list
Fiordland is renowned for its wild, untouched scenery – those towering peaks and ancient forests will leave anyone gobsmacked. But just beyond Fiordland lies the lakeside township of Te Anau, where the scenery changes to sheep and cattle stations.
Within this rural landscape is Woodstone Farm, where visitors can get up close and personal with friendly farm animals. There’s something wonderful about getting genuinely hands-on: feeling the soft nose of a lamb in your hand, hearing the farmer whistle the dogs across a paddock, and all sitting down to share home-made cooking.
What to expect at a Te Anau farm experience
Woodstone Farm, just six kilometres from Te Anau township, offers exactly this kind of authentic encounter. The 220-acre working farm welcomes visitors into a relaxed and authentic setting in a beautiful rural South Island landscape.
The farm’s residents, highland cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, and more, have all been hand-reared, making them comfortable around people. Grab some feed and get acquainted with the locals!
Then settle in for the main event: live demonstrations that showcase real farming skills. Watch the farmer shear a sheep on an elevated stage (so everyone gets a perfect view), followed by dog-herding displays that demonstrate the incredible partnership between farmer and working dog.
Afterwards, enjoy a proper Kiwi morning tea at rustic wooden tables, wander through seasonal sunflower and maize mazes (when in bloom, they’re spectacular), and explore the lavender plots and historic farm equipment dotted around the property. The whole experience feels unhurried and genuine – exactly what Te Anau does best.
Coach, Farm Tour and Milford Sound cruise
Here’s where it gets even better. The full-day Coach, Farm Tour & Milford Sound Nature Cruise combines the Woodstone Farm Tour with our iconic Milford Sound cruise.
After you’ve been elbow-deep in farm life, the journey into Fiordland’s raw wilderness takes on new meaning. Now you’re ready to witness untamed wilderness from the water. The glass-roof coach takes you from Te Anau to Milford Sound, winding through one of the world’s most scenic routes before you step aboard for a cruise through Milford Sound’s towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and deep waters.
It’s the best of both worlds: a real, down-to-earth morning on the farm, followed by jaw-dropping scenery.
Get hands-on in Fiordland
Looking for things to do in Te Anau that go beyond the surface? This is it. No crowds, no rush, just genuine connection with the land, the animals, and the people who call Fiordland home.
Book a Milford Sound Cruise, Coach & Farm Tour here.
See more latest news