Clydesdale Tour
Our Clydesdales
Historically, draft horses were a fixture of working farms across New Zealand and the world. Their strength, intelligence and calm temperament made them indispensable. The arrival of the tractor changed all of that, and today pure-bred working Clydesdales are rare.
Tinwald Farm is home to a team of pure-bred Clydesdales — a breed that originated in Scotland. Our horses are trained to harness and play an active role in the life of the farm. They are working animals and they’re part of something larger.
“The horses provide a sense of calm and remind us of a time when the pace of life was much slower than it is today.”
About our Tour
During the warmer months we offer a tour showcasing our Clydesdales. The Tour is a small-group, two-hour visit to the farm, seeing our Clydesdales and our regenerative work with soil. It is designed for people who are genuinely curious — about animals, farming, biology, and the hidden systems that keep a working farm alive.
Your tour begins at the farm gate, where you’ll be transported by heritage tractor through the property to our stables and carriage hall. From there, the experience unfolds across two connected worlds: the enormous and the invisible.
You’ll meet some of our Clydesdales individually — learning the name, personality and temperament of each horse. You’ll watch a single horse working in harness, and then see the precision and partnership of a matched pair working together. Along the way, our team will share the history of these remarkable animals and the role they play at Tinwald Farm today.
But this tour goes beyond horses.
At Tinwald Farm, our Clydesdales are part of a broader regenerative farming system. Their manure is used to breed the microbes that feed our soil. In our microscopy space, you’ll see something most people never encounter: the living microbial world beneath your feet — the fungi, protozoa, and billions of organisms that make healthy farming possible.
“At Tinwald Farm, we believe some of the most important life on a farm is either enormous… or completely invisible.”
What’s Included
- Welcome tea and coffee on arrival
- Heritage tractor transport from farm gate to stables
- Introduction to Tinwald Farm and our regenerative farming approach
- Individual meet-and-greet with our Clydesdale team
- Single horse sled demonstration
- Matched pair harness demonstration
- Behind-the-scenes look at our regenerative farming methods and observation of the microorganisms that live in healthy soil
- Time for questions and photographs
Tour Details
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
- Location: Tinwald Farm, 1599 Luggate–Cromwell Road, Central Otago
- Price: $139 per person (GST inclusive)
- Group size: Maximum 10 guests
- Suitable for: Adults and older children with an interest in animals, farming or biology. No infants or children younger than 10.
- What to wear: Sturdy footwear recommended — this is a working farm environment
- Booking: Pre-booking essential via our online booking system
Upcoming Tour Dates
Book Upcoming Tour Dates
Getting to Tinwald Farm
The main entrance to Tinwald Farm is located at 1599 Luggate–Cromwell Road, Central Otago, 9383 – we’re about 30 minutes from Wanaka and 15 minutes from Cromwell.
Guests are welcomed at the farm gate, where there is plenty of off-road parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Tour
What is the Tinwald Farm Clydesdale Tour?
The Clydesdale Tour is a small-group, two-hour guided experience at Tinwald Farm near Cromwell in Central Otago. You’ll meet our team of working Clydesdales, watch harness demonstrations, and go behind the scenes of our regenerative farming system — including a live soil microscopy demonstration that shows the microbial world beneath your feet.
It is designed for people who are genuinely curious about animals, farming, biology, and the natural systems that sustain a working farm.
Is this a horse riding experience?
No. The Clydesdale Tour does not include horse riding or wagon rides. You’ll observe our Clydesdales working in harness, meet them up close, and learn about their role in our regenerative farming system.
How long does the tour take?
What will I actually see and do?
- Heritage tractor transport from the farm entrance
- Tea and coffee on arrival at the Stables
- An introduction to Tinwald Farm and our regenerative farming approach
- Meeting our Clydesdales individually — learning the name, personality and temperament of each horse
- A single horse sled demonstration
- A matched pair harness demonstration
- A live soil microscopy demonstration — see living microbes, fungi and protozoa under the microscope
- Time for questions and photographs
What makes this tour different from other farm or animal experiences in Central Otago?
A few things set this tour apart. First, working Clydesdales are rare — there are very few places in New Zealand where you can see pure-bred draft horses in active use on a farm. Second, the tour connects the horses directly to the science of the farm: you’ll understand how a microbial system that feeds the soil and get to see a live microscopy demonstration.
Booking & Price
How much does the tour cost?
$139 per person. This price is GST inclusive.
How do I book?
Booking is online only via our booking system. You can view available dates and times and pay securely at the time of booking. Pre-booking is essential — we do not accept walk-in guests on tour days.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We recommend booking as early as possible, as tours are limited to a maximum of 10 guests and dates can fill quickly, particularly in the summer season. There is no minimum advance booking period, but availability cannot be guaranteed for last-minute requests.
What is your cancellation policy?
We know that plans don’t always work out. If you do need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible by email. If you cancel more than 7 days before the tour is scheduled, we will give you a full refund.
We are a small operation and each tour requires special arrangements to run. For that reason, if you need to cancel within 7 days of the tour date, we are not able to offer a refund. We appreciate your understanding.
Cancellations are effective from the date and time the written request is received by Tinwald Farm.
Can I book the tour for a private group?
Yes. Contact us directly (manager@tinwaldfarm.co.nz) if you have specific requirements for a private group experience.
Suitability & Access
Is the tour suitable for children?
Can I bring a pushchair or pram?
No. Pushchairs, prams and strollers cannot be accommodated on the farm terrain and must not be brought onto the property. The ground around the stables and working areas is uneven and unsuitable for wheeled vehicles of this kind.
Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?
Parts of the tour involve walking on uneven farm terrain. If you or a member of your group has a mobility limitation, please contact us before booking so we can discuss what can be accommodated. We will always do our best to make the experience accessible where it is safe to do so.
I have an allergy to animals or hay dust. Can I still attend?
Is the tour suitable for people who are nervous around horses?
Many of our guests arrive feeling unsure and leave having genuinely connected with the horses. You will never be required to touch or approach a horse without your own consent. Our guides are experienced at introducing guests to the horses gently and at a pace that feels comfortable. The tour is observational by nature, which means you can engage as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
Practical Information
Where do I go when I arrive?
Please make your way to the farm entrance at 1599 Luggate–Cromwell Road. Your guide will meet you there, show you where to park and transport you by heritage tractor to the stables. Please do not drive onto the farm — the farm gate is the designated meeting point for all guests.
How far is Tinwald Farm from Wanaka and Cromwell?
Tinwald Farm is located approximately 30 minutes from Wanaka and 15 minutes from Cromwell. The farm is situated on the Luggate – Cromwell Road in Central Otago.
What should I wear?
Sturdy, closed-toe footwear is essential — this is a working farm and the ground around the stables can be uneven and muddy. Dress for the weather: Central Otago can be very warm in summer and cold in winter, and parts of the tour take place outdoors.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The tour includes both indoor and outdoor elements. Much of the experience takes place in and around the stables, which provides shelter. We operate in most weather conditions. If we need to cancel due to severe or unsafe weather, we will contact you as soon as possible and offer an alternative date or a full refund.
Can I take photographs during the tour?
Yes, absolutely. You are welcome to take photos throughout the experience. We only ask that you follow your guide’s instructions when photographing around the horses, as camera flashes and sudden movements can startle them.
The Farm & Regenerative Farming
What is regenerative farming?
Regenerative farming is an approach to agriculture that focuses on restoring and maintaining the health of the soil rather than depleting it. At Tinwald Farm, this means working with the natural biological systems in the soil — particularly the microorganisms that make nutrients available to plants — rather than relying on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
Our Clydesdales play a direct role in this system: their manure is used to breed healthy microbes, which are then used to inoculate the soil across the farm.
What will I see in the soil microscopy demonstration?
Using a microscope, your guide will show you living organisms taken directly from Tinwald Farm’s soil — bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other microbes that most people have never seen before. The demonstration brings to life the invisible world beneath our feet and explains why soil biology matters for the future of farming and the environment.