Arion Farm

We stumbled upon this new attraction a few weeks ago, thanks to some friends of friends!  Arion Farm Education Park is a small farm park which is great for youngsters who want to get hands on with farm animals.

It's about another kilometre along the road past Orana Park, on Macleans Island Road (so there's no public transport  - you'll need your own car to get there), on the north west outlying area of Christschurch.  Once through the gates, you need to take the right hand fork in the driveway to get to the farm, which is set on an acre or so at the back of a training academy.  There is plenty of car parking down by the farm, but you need to drive slowly and carefully, as there are often animals (not to mention small children!) wandering about.

It is VERY low key, being run mainly by volunteers.  There is a small hut to pay your $5 per person entrance fee (free for babies under about 18 months) but the volunteers are often out and about - they'll see you and come and get your money eventually, so just start taking a look around.

You can also buy cups of feed for $1 each, which is a nice extra to do - the feed is suitable for all the animals, but I found the lambs to be most interested in it!

The nice thing about this farm is that you are welcome to go into any of the enclosures (a great opportunity to teach your kids about the basics of farm life - if a gate is shut, close it again after you) to get up close to the animals.  Basic common sense applies, of course.  I wasn't so keen to let my kids in with the female pig who had just had a litter of gorgeous little piglets, as she wasn't that keen on us getting so close!

There are sheep, cows, llamas, pigs, goats, ponies, and heaps of ducks, turkeys and chickens.  Spring time is the best time to visit, as there are lots of babies to see!

Arion is the perfect low cost option for those who don't want to pay three times the price at Willowbank.  It's obviously not as good, but the ability to touch the animals is great.  I think it's probably best suited to toddlers and those up to about 8 or 9, although my children (aged 9 and 10) enjoyed themselves.  They were a bit bored after about 45 minutes or so though, as they'd seen and done all there was to see and do.

Pony rides (for kids up to about 8 or 9, depending on size) are included in the entrance fee - just ask the volunteers if it's not set up.  Everyone working there seems very friendly and keen to talk about the animals.

The facilities are basic - there are portaloos and a tap for washing your hands (there is also hand sanitiser, which is great).  There are a couple of picnic tables there too.  I've seen groups out there for birthday parties, which actually seems to work quite well for a younger crowd!


The park is open in summer only from 10am til 3pm every day.

For more information, visit their website - Arion Farm Education Park.