Waitomo Big Bird & Miniature Animal Petting Farm
Waitomo Big Bird & Miniature Animal Petting Farm
Waitomo Big Bird & Miniature Animal Petting Farm
4.5
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Waitomo Big Birds (Ostrich & Emu & Giant Moa) and Miniature animals provide an hours petting experience for animal lovers with lots of photo opportunities with animals - miniature horses, donkeys, llama & alpacas, baby-doll & dwarf sheep, goats, miniature highland cows, mini-bulls, and small petting animals - mini-lop rabbits, tortoise, and mini-munchkin cats with kittens in season.
Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
32 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Earlyriser340
Tyngsboro, MA310 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
I booked this Airbnb with the thought of staying on a farm with animals would be fun. I can tell you it was amazing and much more than that! We had our days planned with activities but found ourselves enjoying what this beautiful farm and its hosts had to offer. Instead of rushing around we connected with the farm life and the lovely animals-all with their own personalities. The little farm dog who we dubbed, the “Mayor”, the little goat who escorted you around the enclosure, the pig who who ran towards you with excitement, to the most angelic baby horse named Savannah of which we will never forget-we fell in love with this little baby horse. These animals slowed life down a bit for us and gave my son memories in which he will never forget. This farm was a beautiful experience and it was a great reminder of how we connect with animals. We are sad to be leaving this wonderful farm, but we leave better people with memories that you can’t buy. My son is already asking when we can come back. Thank you!
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler563763
San Luis Obispo, CA22 contributions
Oct 2019
Ann’s farm stay far exceeded our expectations and is a must see and do if you are planning a trip to Waitomo. My only regret is that we only stayed one night. The farm tour was a blast for both adults and kids. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many animals coexisting except when visiting a zoo! Ostriches, emus, donkeys, mini horses, guinea pigs, llamas, alpacas, Scottish highland cows, jersey cows, sheep, rams, kittens, a tortoise, goats, bulls, rabbits, and even a pig all integrated into one farm (and we mustn’t forget Betsy the dog, who would be highly offended if we didn’t note how much we loved her). We not only pet several of the animals but also had our 7 year old sit atop a few cows. It was really outrageous and awesome!
My personal highlight was getting to collect ostrich eggs in the paddock and then enjoying a homemade ostrich egg omelet for breakfast.
Please don’t stay anywhere else in Waitomo. This is the place if you enjoy animals and don’t mind a little dirt here and there!
My personal highlight was getting to collect ostrich eggs in the paddock and then enjoying a homemade ostrich egg omelet for breakfast.
Please don’t stay anywhere else in Waitomo. This is the place if you enjoy animals and don’t mind a little dirt here and there!
Written 31 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for reviewing - soo glad you chose Big Bird.....memories made!!!
Written 3 November 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ben Spooner
League City, TX30 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
My teenage daughters and I loved joining Anne on her daily feeding of her miniature animals. We took many pictures and laughed at the crazy antics of the hungry ostriches, emu, sheep and cows. This is a working farm and it was very interesting (and impressive) to see the amount of time and energy goes into making sure these animals are properly cared for.
There is a miniature horse that is an emotional support animal, it gets taken to the local old-folks home where they can brush and feed him to their hearts content.
There is a miniature horse that is an emotional support animal, it gets taken to the local old-folks home where they can brush and feed him to their hearts content.
Written 5 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to review. Yes, Teeny Tiny Timmy is amazing......a real gift from the heavens!! We can just pop him into the car and take him anywhere.....Super Special !
Written 8 January 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fluffycat942
Waikato Region, New Zealand1 contribution
Aug 2018 • Family
I regret taking the trip to Big Bird. Our tour was soured by a donkey kick to my 6 year old's ribs. Do not take children into enclosures with poor tempered animals! The farm guide spent half the time checking in B&B guests & doing other stuff, while we waited...... then, to add insult to injury, told us she should have charged us more than her quoted price as small groups are not worth her while.
Written 15 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Apologies - situation was beyond my control. We can offer you a free visit in the summer when improvements and new walkway/paddock system will mean you can enjoy the animals from a path, rather than be in the paddocks.
The timing was unfortunate with 3 groups of people and the arrival of another animal - all requiring my attention simultaneously. With the Very wet weather the donkeys were competing for food - of course this was out of character and unforeseen.
My quoted price is $30 minimum for an hours tour (-4p) - I charged you $23 total. (60 animals - 16 species!!) Please appreciate it is an option I offer for those who wish to enjoy animals, however, we are a working farm, have B&B guests, I have multi-tasking & energy limitations, so understanding is required. In contrast, this morning a little Taiwanese boy enjoyed the animals so much he cried when leaving, saying he wanted to stay with his new farm Nana and the animals!
Written 17 August 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jipijapa33
8 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We spontaneously went to this farm and absolutely loved it! The animals were so cute.
Also the owner is really nice and she clearly loves her animals a lot.
I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone coming to Waitomo!
Also the owner is really nice and she clearly loves her animals a lot.
I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone coming to Waitomo!
Written 9 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to review. Its a bonus that visitors now get to enjoy 9 yrs of collecting mini-animals and they (the outside family) - all know the "drill"!
Written 10 November 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jonscc
Penang, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia8 contributions
Jan 2016
We were on the way to the Waitomo caves and we had about 2 hours to kill before our tour. My wife noticed a variety of animals on the way to the caves and we decided to go back to look at them through the fence from the main road. Not long after Ann, the owner, came out with 2 ponies and asked if we were interested in a tour. We jumped at the opportunity and we didn't regret it. As we walked into the farm we were greeted by what is definitly the smallest bull I have ever seen along with a few sheep and some ponies who were extremely friendly especially because we were given food pellets to feed them. She then proceeded to show us the rest of her very unique farm which also had Emus, Ostriches, Alpacas,Llamas and more ponies and cattle. There were also other animals but sadly we were unable to finish the tour as we had to leave to start our cave tour. Never the less it was a wonderful way to fill in 2 hours. We had toured the Hobbiton movie set earlier, and the farm together with the Glow worm cave really made it a memorable day in New Zealand.
Written 14 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrissyB_13
San Francisco, CA3 contributions
We stopped by this quaint farm on our way back from the Waitomo Caves because there was a "meet the animals" sign. Once we parked our car, we soon realized (to our benefit) that this was not your typical country farm. There were many, many animals ranging from pigs and rabbits, to cows, emus, ostriches, to goats, sheep and donkeys and lamas. We are from San Francisco so you can imagine how much joy we had interacting, petting and brushing all of these very friendly and domesticated farm animals. I believe the owner's hospitality and kindness as well as meeting the gamut of farm animals made our trip.
A true treat this was for us! I would highly recommend making a visit!
Warm Regards,
Chrissy
A true treat this was for us! I would highly recommend making a visit!
Warm Regards,
Chrissy
Written 14 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manu John
16 contributions
July 2020 • Family
Good for young kids, my little boy was running behind the host’s dogs throughout. Unfortunately, the rain spoiled our plans. Host is helpful.
Written 24 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boating0804
San Juan, Puerto Rico241 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Oh this lovely farm with the lovely owner made my daughter her day. She gives you opportunity to touch and hug every animal she has: ostrich, cow, mini horse, cat, pig, llama, alpaca...
Great experience for my daughter
Great experience for my daughter
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristy
Wellington, New Zealand27 contributions
July 2018 • Family
Everything you need for a fun time away with kids! Too many animals to mention. My girls had a blast and even got to have a pony ride. The hosts, Ann and Ross, were so lovely and accommodating, especially when I needed to cook meals for the kids in their kitchen! Breakfast was awesome, loved the home made mango yoghurt. So many memories for us. Basic accommodation with a comfy bed and warm room. Highly recommend a stay here if you have young children.
Written 11 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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