Spring has sprung and the days are getting longer. Now is the perfect time to go animal spotting.
Auckland Council runs many sites across the region where you can go and look at the farm animals – including baby animals if the season is right.
Remember to take care, follow site instructions and always leave gates as you find them.
1. Ambury Park
You might see sheep, goats, cows, pigs, pet lambs, chickens, turkey, rabbits and the elusive peacock.
Grassy lanes between the animal enclosures help you get up close to the animals safely.
Feel free to go into the paddocks to mingle with the animals (except during lambing which is mid-July and early August).
2. Omana
Omana has sheep, chickens and goats to see. During lambing there is the opportunity to feed the lambs. Contact 09 536 6007 to check the feeding times. You may also be lucky to see our park ranger moving our sheep flocks with his farm dogs from time to time.
3. Tāwharanui
Tāwharanui is an Open Sanctuary with a working sheep and cattle farm. In the springtime, many visitors come to see the lambs.
4. Anawhata
Anawhata Farm runs dry stock animals as part of the regional park farming operations.
5. Ātiu Creek
Ātiu Creek is a working sheep and cattle farm. In the springtime, lambs are a popular sight attracting many visitors.
You’ll find grazing sheep and cattle on the farmland.
Young cattle graze on the hill and can be curious about visitors.
8. Mahurangi
The park has approximately 100 breeding ewes and may have cattle present also. Lambing attracts visitors in the springtime.
9. Shakespear
Shakespear is an Open Sanctuary with a working farm of sheep and cattle. In the spring time, lambs are a popular sight attracting many visitors.
10. Tāpapakanga
Tāpapakanga is a coastal farm park with sheep and cows.
11. Waharau
Waharau has sheep grazing in its pastures.
12. Wenderholm
Sheep and young cattle are grazed on the park.
13. Waitawa