Last updated on February 7th, 2026 at 01:14 pm
Update: It would appear that Cornerstone Alpacas is no longer in operation. It is not known if this is a permanent situation or temporary.
Feeding alpacas wasn’t one of the things I expected to be doing on a recent trip home to New Zealand but I did just that at Cornerstone Alpacas not far from my home city of Hamilton and it was so much fun!
If you live nearby or you’re planning a road trip through the North Island of New Zealand, I would definitely recommend including some time with alpacas in your itinerary! Not only is the experience one all the family will enjoy, but the farm is located in the Waikato region making it a convenient place to stop for those planning on exploring other regional tourist hot spots.
In this post I’ll help you plan your own visit to Cornerstone Alpacas. I’ll provide details regarding possible alpaca encounters, including feeding options. I’ll also provide some information about alpacas and share some tips so you can get the most from your visit.
Note: the prices quoted in this post are in New Zealand dollars.
Alpacas: Just What Are They?
Alpacas are one of the South American camelid species. In other words, they are part of the camel family. There are four species of camelid – two have been domesticated (alpacas and llamas) and two remain wild (vicuna and guanaco). All four species are found mainly in the Peruvian Andes, although some are also in Bolivia and Chile.
It is thought that both alpacas and llamas were domesticated around 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. Alpacas were generally kept for their wool whereas llamas were used as pack animals as they are able to carry more weight.
Alpacas are the smaller of the two species. They stand around 90cm (35 inches) at the shoulder and weigh between 55 and 65 kilograms (121-143 pounds). Llamas on the other hand stand around 120cm (47 inches) at the shoulder and weigh around 113 kilograms (250 pounds). The two also have different faces. Alpacas are more blunt with short ears and the llamas are more elongated with banana-sized ears.
Alpacas have been in New Zealand since the mid-1840s, however the breed did not become established until the late 1980s when the status of alpacas was legally changed from a zoo animal to livestock. Today, there are in excess of 20,000 alpacas in New Zealand.
You may not know it but alpacas:
- don’t have any top teeth
- can show their annoyance with other alpacas by spitting at them
- live for around 20-25 years during which time a female can have 15 or more babies
- typically have one baby at a time (alpaca babies are known as crias)
- make soft humming sounds to communicate
- come in 22 different colours
One thing you will already know…alpacas are very cute!
Where are Cornerstone Alpacas?
Cornerstone Alpaca Stud is located on Peach Road in the rural community of Gordonton, about a 20 minute drive from the city of Hamilton.
Unfortunately, there is no public transport to Cornerstone Alpacas so you will need a car, however there is plenty of car parking available on site. There are also a couple of options for those without access to a car, details of which I have set out below.
For those who do have access to a vehicle, you may want to consider incorporating some additional activities into your itinerary before or after visiting Cornerstone Alpacas. Do check my post 12 of the Best Things to Do in Hamilton for details of various other activities available in or near Gordonton.
The city of Hamilton and Gordonton village are both located in the Waikato region. This region is very popular with tourists, especially those heading to places such as Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves and Raglan. It therefore makes sense to consider incorporating a visit to the alpacas as part of your itinerary to visit some or all of these other sites.
How Can I Feed Alpacas?
There are two options available for those wanting to experience feeding alpacas. The first is the Alpaca Feeding Trail. This is the option I chose and (my Mum and) I highly recommend it!
The Alpaca Feeding Trail allows visitors to feed the alpacas through the fence…perfect for those who, like me, aren’t brave enough to get any closer!
This option does not need to be booked in advance and is therefore perfect for those who want flexibility in their travel plans. The farm is closed on Mondays however, so do check the official Cornerstone Alpacas website for current opening hours before visiting.
The key points to note with this option are:
- tickets are priced at $19 for adults (aged 14+) and $15 for children aged 3 to 13
- spectators are also welcome with tickets priced at $15
- two cups of alpaca food are included with each ticket, with extra cups available for $6 each
- this is an unguided activity
If you want a closer encounter however, then you can select the In Paddock Feeding option. As the name suggests, this option takes place inside the paddock under the supervision of a guide. The key points of this option are:
- tickets are priced at $40 for adults (aged 14+) and $27 for children aged 3 to 13
- children must be accompanied by an adult
- tours takes around 50 minutes
- bookings are required and can be made on the official Cornerstone Alpacas website
Can I Do More Than Feed Alpacas?
Yes! There are two further tour options available to visitors. Although I eventually settled on the Alpaca Feeding Trail option, I did find it quite hard to choose between them all!
The first option is the Classic Alpaca Tour. This is another in paddock experience where you will learn about alpacas, be able to touch, cuddle and feed them (and their babies!). You’ll also meet three resident llama boys. The key points to now about this option are:
- tickets are priced at $50 for adults (aged 14+) and $37 for children aged 3 to 13
- children must be accompanied by an adult
- tours take around 90 minutes
This popular option does need to be booked in advance – you can do that here:
The second option is to join the Walk an Alpaca tour. Not only will you have the chance to learn more about alpacas and feed and cuddle them all, you’ll also be able to lead them around the farm.
The key points to note about this option are:
- tickets are priced at $60 for adults (aged 14+) and $47 for children aged 3 to 13
- children must be accompanied by an adult
- tours take around 90 minutes
- tours are limited to 10 people and only operate on selected days
- bookings are essential – check the official Cornerstone Alpacas website for availability
What If I Don’t Have Access To A Car?
I mentioned earlier that there are no public transport options for getting to Cornerstone Alpacas. The farm does however have two tour options available for those without their own transport:
- pickup tour from Hamilton
- pick up tour from Auckland
These small group day trip options include, in addition to transportation, a ticket to the Classic Alpaca Tour and lunch. The tours operate on specified days so do check the official Cornerstone Alpacas website for up to date information and to book.
Extra Options
In addition to the alpaca tours, visitors can also join a soap felting workshop, dine in the on site cafe (washing your hand first!) and shop for alpaca products in the farm shop.
Tips For Visiting The Alpaca Farm
In addition to any health and safety advice you are given when visiting the alpacas, I have the following tips based on my experience:
- wear comfortable, sturdy shoes – there is a bit of walking involved and the ground isn’t level. For those tours getting up close to the alpacas, covered shoes are required
- wear sunscreen – there is no tree cover when interacting with the alpacas and the New Zealand sun is no joke. I would also recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses for added protection on hot days
- follow the rules – the Feeding Trail Tour does not permit entry into any paddocks so stay out
- try to stand side on to the alpacas when feeding them through the fence – they can and do spit!
- keep in mind that Cornerstone Alpacas is a working farm so stay within the designated areas
- make sure your camera is fully charged
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an unusual but family friendly way to spend part of your day, then look no further than feeding alpacas!
Spending time with these gentle, very cute animals will not only be a bright spot in your day, but it will also give you the opportunity to learn more about them. In a country dominated by sheep, it’s good to see something different!
Discover more things to do in the region with my posts 8 Things to Do in the Waikato and 12 of the Best Things to Do in Hamilton. Finally, if you need any further assistance with planning your trip to New Zealand, do check my Resources page.
Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.
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