Discover The Real New Zealand
Interactive Farm Tours On Real Working Farms
ABOUT US
Our Mission
At Clarke Farm Tours, we offer interactive farm tours on real working farms in the Tararua District of New Zealand"s North Island. You will be able to witness sheep shearing and wool classing on a local sheep farm. You will also get the chance to meet local artisan spinners and weavers and explore the processes that turn raw wool into handmade woolen clothing and craft items. Experience a tour through one of New Zealand's premier wool processing factories and get the chance to purchase quality locally made clothing products. Join us for a unique experience hand-feeding farm animals such as sheep, alpaca, and cows. You may even get the chance to try your hand at milking a cow or feeding some calves! A visit to a local berry farm is also available depending on the time of year.
Our farm tours aim to provide an engaging and educational experience about farm life and the shearing industry in New Zealand. We are dedicated to promoting awareness of farming practices and connecting visitors with the beauty of rural life and the Tararua District in particular. You will get to meet a variety of people who either work in or service the shearing industry in the Tararua District - these people are the heart and soul of New Zealand and are what makes the rural sector the backbone of New Zealand's economy.
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Due to the constraints of moving around in a working environment such as a woolshed, we must limit our tours to small groups of no more than 8 people.
Please note that all of our on-farm experiences are dependent upon a number of factors such as the weather, the time of year and the ability to access farms or commercial operations. Because of this fact, Clarke Farm Tours reserve the right to amend the day's programme as we see fit. We will always endeavour to provide you with the optimal experience of rural life in our small, friendly corner of the world.
HIGHLIGHTS
Embark on a journey to witness the enchanting world of real working farms. Our tours bring you up close to the farm activities, from sheep shearing to wool processing, and the joy of interacting with a wide
variety of farm animals. You will also meet local craftspeople who utilise centuries old skills to transform wool into handmade garments and craft items.
Sheep Shearing, Wool
Classing and Processing
Experience the traditional craft of sheep shearing and the meticulous process of wool classing. You may even get the chance to pick up a handpiece and shear a sheep yourself!
Learn how local artisan spinners and weavers process the raw wool into yarn and then use that yarn to knit or weave handmade garments and craft items - using processes that haven't changed for centuries.
Farm Animal Feeding
Engage in the heartwarming activity of hand-feeding farm animals such as sheep, cows and alpaca. You may get the opportunity to watch calves being fed or cows being milked depending on the time of year of your visit.
Visits to a berry farm are also available at certain times of the year.​​​​​​​ We are always searching for new local businesses that we can include in our tours so our offerings will increase over time.
Norsewear Factory Tour
Join us on a tour through the Norsewear factory which is situated in the historic village of Norsewood. Here you will experience the processes that transform wool from its raw state into premium items of clothing. You will also get the chance to explore the NZ Natural Clothing Company's shop and purchase from their extensive range of quality clothing products which includes items produced in the Norsewear factory.
Tour Group Info
Our farm tours are led by Alan Clarke, who founded his own shearing contracting business over 30 years ago. He has an ongoing commitment to showcase the shearing industry to the world and is now providing farm tours which take you from the shearing shed to wool manufacturing factories and everything in-between. His knowledge of New Zealand's shearing industry is second to none so please join us for a memorable journey through the agricultural world.
For more information, please click on one of the "Inquire Now" buttons, send us an email and Alan will respond as soon as possible.
The Forge Cafe
The Forge Cafe and Restaurant in Dannevirke will supply morning/afternoon tea or lunch as required. Dependent upon the tour's itinerary, this may be at the cafe or, alternatively, as a "picnic" style offering.
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Contact Us
Address
Clarke Farm Tours,
132 High Street,
Dannevirke 4930,
New Zealand
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