Otago High Country Farming

OVERVIEW

Experience farm life – authentic farm life – in the rugged Otago high country, a destination best reached on an all-terrain off-road vehicle. An ancient shift in the tectonic plates created this vast elevated landscape, which is mostly covered with alfalfa and tussock, a native New Zealand grass. The high country is ideal for raising livestock as you will discover at Barewood Station, a large working farm that raises mostly sheep following sustainable practices. You will witness the farmers’ daily lives as they manage their herds across a vast expanse of undulating land that is subdivided into hundreds of separate paddocks. The challenges are many as the climate is harsh with low rainfall, cold winters, and hot summers. Overcoming those difficulties has made the longevity of Barewood Station more fulfilling for the farmers. While gazing out over the inspiring vistas, you can snack on a charcuterie board of locally sourced specialties.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a large working sheep farm in the rugged Otago high country.
• Enjoy an authentic farm experience without pretensions or staged events.
• Gain insight into the joys and challenges of farm life in the remote high country.
• Behold the majesty of the seeming endless, gently rolling grasslands.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.