AGRICULTURAL TOURS
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
Experiences g RealLife
EXPERIENCE THE BEST WITH FARM & LEISURE TOURS
Choosing Farm & Leisure Tours means embarking on a journey filled with enjoyment, shared moments, learning, and exciting experiences. With our years of expertise in organising tours across the globe, you can relax and travel confidently, knowing that we’ve meticulously arranged every detail for your safety and convenience. We specialise in farming tours and special interest leisure tours, designed to take you beyond the ordinary. Whether you’re exploring innovative agricultural practices or indulging in a hobbyfocused adventure, our tours offer more than just destinations - they offer immersive experiences tailored to your interests. As you travel with us, you’ll encounter unexpected moments and unique events that set your journey apart. We have English speaking local guides, and our handpicked tour leaders are with you every step of the journey.
With all logistics expertly managed, you can focus on making the most of your well-deserved holiday or business trip while we handle the rest.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
On our tours, you can anticipate a thoughtfully crafted itinerary that includes iconic sights with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Engage with local culture through authentic encounters and learn from expert guides who bring each destination to life. We prioritise your comfort with well-planned logistics and a mix of planned activities and free time. With our dedicated tour leaders by your side, you’ll enjoy a seamless, enriching journey that leaves you with lasting memories.
FARMING & INNOVATION IN TASMANIA
// SUN 2 MAR - TUES 11 MAR // 10 DAYS
Discover the “Apple Isle” this autumn, where vibrant colors set the stage for an unforgettable farm tour. Meet innovative farming families, taste fresh regional produce, and explore Tasmania’s vineyards, distilleries, and historic Highfield. Experience the lively Salamanca Market and delve into Tasmania’s convict heritage at Port Arthur. From traditional livestock to whisky, wine, and oysters, this tour highlights the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Tasmania.
CATTLE & FARMING IN THE QUEENSLAND GULF
// MON 1 SEPT – MON 15 SEPT // 15 DAYS
Journey through the vast savannah plains of far north Queensland and explore the untapped potential that could make Australia the food bowl of Asia in the next century. This insightful tour starts in Townsville and ends in Cairns, featuring visits to top-tier cattle operations and pioneering irrigated cropping properties across the region.
DISCOVERING AGRICULTURE IN NORTHERN TERRITORY
// SUN 17 AUG - THURS 28 AUG // 12 DAYS
Discover the Northern Territory’s agriculture on this tour from Darwin through the Top End to Mt Isa. Explore cattle stations in the Douglas Daly, Katherine, and Barkly regions, where you’ll learn about cattle management and live exports. Along the way, visit innovative cropping enterprises and uncover the history behind Australia’s outback.
KIMBERLEY AGRICULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
// SUN 20 JULY - FRI 1 AUG // 13 DAYS
Explore the Kimberley’s rugged beauty on this tour from Broome to the Ord River Valley. Visit the pearling industry, vast cattle stations, and diverse crops like sandalwood, mangoes, and cotton. Discover stunning waterfalls, hidden rainforests, and iconic sites like the Bungle Bungle Range, Geikie Gorge, and Lake Argyle.
PILBARA CATTLE TOUR
// TUES 10 JUNE - THURS 26 JUNE // 17 DAYS
Discover Western Australia’s ancient Pilbara region, where you’ll visit traditional cattle stations and innovative grazing properties that boost production with advanced techniques. Travel from Karratha to Broome, with a day in Exmouth to explore Ningaloo Marine Park. Relax in Broome, famous for its pearling history and Indian Ocean sunsets. Experience a unique blend of heritage and modern agriculture on this remarkable journey.
FARMERS TOUR TO SRI LANKA
// SAT 11 OCT - MON 27 OCT // 17 DAYS
Explore Sri Lanka’s agricultural richness on this farming focused tour. Start in Kandy, then delve into the island’s tea plantations and learn about Ceylon tea production. Discover innovative farming practices through visits to local farms and commercial operations, and see how they contribute to Sri Lanka’s thriving agricultural sector. Experience the island’s agricultural diversity, warm hospitality, and stunning landscapes on this engaging journey.
CHINA
FARMING INNOVATION & SCENIC WONDERS
// FRI 6 JUNE – SAT 21 JUNE // 16 DAYS
Join us on an exciting tour from Beijing to the grasslands of Hohhot, ancient Xian, and Shanghai. Discover sheep, beef, and dairy enterprises mixing traditional practices with cutting-edge agricultural innovations that are shaping China’s future. Extend your adventure with a luxury 5-star Yangtze River cruise, marvel at the Three Gorges Dam, explore the Dazu Rock Carvings, enjoy the scenic beauty of Guilin and Yangshuo, and visit Giant Pandas at Chongqing Zoo.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION:
YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE & GUILIN // FRI 20 - SUN 29 JUNE // 10 DAYS
CULTURE & WILDLIFE OF INDIA
// MON 10 MARCH - SAT 29 MARCH // 20 DAYS
Experience India’s vibrant culture and stunning wildlife. Discover Delhi’s energy, the Taj Mahal’s beauty, and Rajasthan’s historic forts. Explore Varanasi’s spiritual ghats and diverse regional traditions. Seek Bengal tigers in Panna and Bandhavgarh National Parks. This journey through India’s rich heritage and landscapes promises unforgettable memories. Enhance your adventure with an optional extension to Sri Lanka. Rich heritage, lush tea plantations and diverse wildlife.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: SRI LANKA // THURS 27 MAR - TUES 8 APRIL // 13 DAYS
CULTURE & WILDLIFE OF SRI LANKA
// WEDS 26 MARCH - TUES 8 APRIL // 14 DAYS
Discover Sri Lanka’s rich culture and diverse wildlife. Explore Kandy’s historic temples, lush tea plantations, and sample Ceylon tea. Encounter elephants in Minneriya, search for leopards in Yala, and enjoy birdwatching in the wetlands. From serene beaches to misty mountains, this tour offers a captivating mix of adventure, hospitality, and stunning landscapes.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE AGRICULTURE & HERITAGE
// TUES 6 - TUES 27 MAY // 22 DAYS
Discover the hidden gems of Central Eastern Europe with a tour through four fascinating countries. Experience the essence of small village life as you engage with farmers using traditional methods for dairy, sheep, beef cattle, olive oil, and wine. Enjoy local flavours, explore centuries-old cities, and explore historic and cultural landmarks. Continue on an optional agriculture and sightseeing journey through Romania, with picturesque villages, cobbled streets, and medieval fortresses. Visit farms that preserve ageold techniques cultivating the land with deep-rooted wisdom that has stood the test of time. Get connected with the land and its people, all while experiencing their warm hospitality.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: ROMANIA // TUES 27 MAY – TUES 3 JUNE // 8 DAYS
FARMING IN IRELAND & UK
// THURS 4 SEPT – TUES 23 SEPT // 20 DAYS
This classic tour of the British Isles is full of intriguing contrasts, fascinating rural history and a range of farming enterprises.
Enjoy Ireland’s lush landscapes, the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher and colourful villages on the wild Atlantic coast. Soak up England’s diverse scenery of neat fields fenced in stone. Visit best loved towns and major sights in Dublin, Belfast, York, Bath and London. This tour has it all from historic castles and stately homes to quaint villages and spectacular scenery.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: SCOTLAND // TUES 23 SEPT – SUN 28 SEPT // 6 DAYS
ZIMBABWE
FARMING & LUXURY SAFARI
// SUN 10 AUG – SAT 23 AUG // 14 DAYS
Venture through the heart of Zimbabwe on this exclusive tour, promising an adventure filled with luxury, wildlife, and culture. Visit tobacco, arable, beef and dairy farms and see how farmers play a role in sustaining the nation’s economy.
Enjoy Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park, ride the iconic Elephant Express through Hwange National Park, enjoy many safaris and activities, and see an abundance of wildlife. Extend your stay with three nights in the pristine wilderness of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: OKAVANGO DELTA // TUES 21 AUG – TUES 26 AUG // 6 DAYS
MOROCCO AGRICULTURE & SIGHTSEEING
// SAT 6 SEP – SUN 21 SEP // 16 DAYS
Beyond its famous medinas and souks, Morocco’s dedication to agriculture is impressive. Its diverse landscape, from the Sahara and Atlas Mountains to the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, supports a variety of crops. Fertile plains produce cereals, olives, and citrus fruits, while the Souss Valley is known for tomatoes and vegetables. Morocco excels in olive oil production, mixing traditional farming with modern innovations, reflecting its commitment to agricultural heritage and sustainability.
CALGARY STAMPEDE & FARMING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
// MON 30 JUNE – SAT 12 JULY // 13 DAYS
Explore Western Canada’s stunning landscapes and dynamic agriculture. Start in Banff with visits to Sulphur Mountain, Lake Louise, and Jasper National Park. Discover farming operations, from feed crops to dairy and bison, in the heartland of Canadian agriculture. Experience the thrill of the Calgary Stampede, and end your journey in the vibrant city of Vancouver.
TEXAS QUILT TOUR & HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL
// TUES 21 OCT – SAT 1 NOV // 12 DAYS
Join us on a quilting adventure through the heart of Texas! Explore the quilting heritage of La Grange, Waco, Austin, and San Antonio, each with its unique traditions. Connect with local guilds, visit quilt shops, and craft markets, and meet artisans. End in Houston at the International Quilt Festival for demos, classes, and top quilting supplies.
Suggested Partners options included.
RANCHES, COWBOYS & AMERICAN BEEF
// TUES 24 JUNE – THUR 10 JULY // 17 DAYS
Journey through the American West and explore its vast ranching heritage. Visit some of the largest and most renowned ranches, explore advanced beef research at Texas A&M University, and discover legendary operations like King Ranch. Experience the beauty of the Painted Desert and Grand Canyon, and tour the renowned NASA Space Center. Discover the rich history of Taos Pueblo and the Fort Worth Stockyards. Relax with a river cruise in San Antonio and enjoy the artistic charm of Santa Fe.
BEST OF BRAZILIAN BEEF & COWBOY FESTIVAL OF BARRETOS
// SUN 10 AUG - FRI 22 AUG // 13 DAYS
Join us for an exciting tour of Brazil’s beef industry, featuring visits to top facilities like JBS and MFG. Experience the Cowboy Festival of Barretos, one of the world’s largest rodeos, and unwind in Rio de Janeiro with its iconic beaches and vibrant city life.
Testimonial
What an amazing journey to Kenya & Tanzania 2023. So many di erent places and people. Have certainly come home very enlightened and knowledgeable of a developing part of the planet. I very much enjoyed the company of the folk we were with and thank you both for taking us to an area really we were un familiar with. Am still having nice dreams of the trip. So nice to have been part of the adventure and where to next?
Testimonial
Wonderful cattle tour in Pilbara area in Western Australia 2023. The highlight was having lunch with the owners or managers families and learning about the activities they do and seeing the cattle in the yards. It was not all farming we were also sightseeing and went into massive iron ore mines. Most amazing. I fully recommend this tour.
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NEW ZEALAND
QUILTS & TEXTILES - A TASTE OF HAWKES BAY
// SUN 31 AUG - FRI 5 SEP // 6 DAYS
Join Rachel from well known Annie’s Country Quilt Store on a journey through the creative heart of Hawke’s Bay. Discover the vibrant quilt and fibre art scene, enjoy exclusive access to local guilds, charming quilt shops and the home studio of a distinguished heirloom needlework designer.
Members of Agricultural Tour Operators International (ATOI); an association of professional tour operators specialising in agriculture tourism.
Farm & Leisure Tours are proud supporters of the RWNZ Adverse Events Relief Fund
RWNZ is a voice on health services, education, environment and social issues in the rural sector.
An annual donation is made in support of the RWNZ Adverse Events Relief Fund.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s included on a Farm & Leisure Tour?
We like to make things easy for you to budget for your travels so our tours are inclusive of international airfares and airport and departure taxes (unless stated Land Only), accommodation, land travel (coach, boat or train), technical and farm visits, entrance fees to attractions, sightseeing, tips for drivers and guides and most meals. With Farm & Leisure Tours there are no hidden costs, it’s all included in the quoted price. When you travel for business purposes, tax concessions may apply.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is essential and you cannot afford to leave home without it. Should you need to cancel your tour before you travel, then a good travel insurance policy will cover you for specified cancellation fees.
When should I book?
We recommend you book as early as you can as our tours are popular and can book out more than a year in advance. Booking early allows you a stress-free lead-up to your trip and provides valuable time to arrange visas, travel insurance, currency and any extra travel arrangements. As late bookings require special administrative attention, any tour bookings made within 30 days of departure require FULL payment before the process of requesting flights and rooms begins. If we are unable to confirm the request, then a full refund will be made.
Will I need a visa?
Some countries require a visa. The responsibility for obtaining a visa for your tour lies with you, although we can assist at an additional cost.
How many people will be on the tour?
Generally, our tours have between 12 to 20 participants. All tours have a required minimum number to operate and this is indicated on the tour brochure. Occasionally we operate tours with fewer than the required number, as we prefer not to cancel tours and disappoint our clients.
What’s the age group?
The average age is between 40 to 70 years; occasionally younger participants and occasionally older, but you can always be assured you’ll be travelling with like-minded people who share similar interests.
How fit do I need to be?
You will need to have the energy and fitness to walk around farms with uneven ground, villages with cobblestone streets and up and down stairs. In addition, you need to be fit enough to carry your own luggage and board and disembark your coach (and occasionally ferries and trains), several times a day unassisted. If you require a wheelchair or cannot walk unassisted and carry your luggage, then our tours are not suitable for you.
Which airlines do you use?
We use a number of airlines, depending on the destination of the tour, but generally Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Emirates, Air Canada, and LATAM Airlines (formerly Lan Chile). Prices are based on economy class airfares but upgrades to Premium Economy, Business or First-Class airfares can be arranged. Just ask our staff. Can I authorise Farm & Leisure Tours to make changes on my behalf?
Farm & Leisure Tours can only make changes to your travel arrangements if the original booking was made through us. If you book additional travel direct with suppliers yourself, then we are unable to make changes to those arrangements on your behalf. What standard of hotels can I expect?
Generally, we use good comfortable 3 to 5 star hotels with private ensuite bathroom facilities. Hotels in Britain, Europe and South America are often located in historic buildings and are not necessarily purposebuilt, unlike typical hotels and motels in New Zealand where most rooms are of a similar size and follow the same layout. They may have tiny bedrooms or alternatively rooms large enough for a party. Showers are often over the bath and plumbing standards vary greatly; however this all adds to the charm. In North America and Asia, hotel rooms are more standardised, although bathrooms can vary. In saying that, all hotels will be of a comfortable standard with private facilities. Accommodation costs are included in your overall tour cost.
What is a single supplement?
A single supplement is a charge applied when only one person is occupying a room. All tour prices are shown as per person costs but are based on two people sharing a double or twin room. The way to avoid paying the single supplement is to take a friend or find a fellow traveller to share a room with you.
Can I organise to stay longer after the tour?
Farm & Leisure Tours offer great flexibility so you can extend your stay after the tour. In conjunction with our ticketing agent, we offer full retail travel services and can book any additional flights, cruises, tours, car hire, trains and accommodation etc.
Are meals included?
Most meals are included in your overall tour cost and are shown as in the itinerary Breakfast Lunch Dinner. Breakfast is always included daily and in many countries a full cooked (English or American-style) breakfast is served; however in some countries a Continental style breakfast is the norm.
What happens if I have special dietary requirements?
If you have dietary restrictions and provided you let us know well before your tour departure, we will endeavor to ensure all airlines, hotels and restaurants are notified in advance to cater for your needs.
How do I know how much to tip?
We provide our Tour Leaders with funds to take care of tips for the group. When dining apart from the group, we suggest you follow the tipping guidelines in your tour booklet which is sent to you prior to departure.
Where are passengers from?
Most of our passengers are New Zealanders from rural and regional locations. Some tours operate in conjunction with Australian farm tour partners to provide an extended range of tours and tour departures.
Are any tours tax deductible?
Most of our itineraries are specialist agricultural technical programs planned potentially to be of direct relevance to businesses and producers involved in agriculture. If you operate an agricultural business these programs maybe fully or partly tax deductible, however we recommend you check with your financial adviser if you need clarification of taxdeductible eligibility for your own enterprise.
Why deposits and are they refundable?
Early deposits are required as a measure of interest to join our tours and to assist us in planning and foreign currency management. Our Terms and Conditions included with each itinerary explain our refund policy in the event you have to cancel.
