Lake Tekapo Petting Zoo — Attraction in South Island

We absolutely loved our visit to the petting zoo at Lake Tekapo – it was one of the most heartwarming and memorable stops of our trip! The place is beautifully kept, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lake. It’s not just for kids – adults will have a blast too.

The animals are clearly well cared for and very friendly. We got to feed and pet alpacas, goats, rabbits, and even a super chill pig that seemed to enjoy the attention as much as we did! There were chickens running around, sheep ready for a cuddle, and a few surprise animals that made us laugh. It felt like a cozy, peaceful farm where time slows down and joy takes over.

What stood out most was how clean, well-organized, and welcoming the place was. The staff were incredibly kind and patient – they answered all our questions and even shared fun facts about the animals. You can tell they truly love what they do.

Whether you’re traveling with family or just want to unwind with some animal therapy, this little gem is well worth a stop. Make sure to bring some coins to buy animal feed – watching them come up to you is half the fun!

Highly recommend – would come back in...

We had a fantastic time petting the calves, guinea pigs and feeding the kune pigs, sheep, and alpacas. Every one of the animals had a name and seemed to know it! The two baby calves, Daisy and Lily, were incredibly cute. The two kune pigs were particularly special; they could sit for their food just like trained dogs! My 1.9-year-old had an absolute joy. We also got to enjoy the stunning background view of the mountains and the lake. ​Joy, our guide, was so informative and helpful. She gave us a farm tour and even shared some tips on how to handle the excitable sheep and alpacas during feeding time. ​The only recommendation I have is for the farm to provide some boots for the guests (if possible) as It was a bit muddy with all the animal poo poo, especially after the rain. FYI - If you stay at the Cairns, you can join this farm...

A tragic waste of my $20 tbh. There were more humans on the tour than there were animals, so feeding meant that you’d have to wait awhile for your turn. We were given