How To See Stunning Sunflowers Near Hamilton New Zealand

Visiting a sunflower farm wasn’t something I had done before, so when I was planning my most recent trip home to New Zealand it was one of the first things on my to do list. Fortunately, the Taupiri Sunflower Farm is close to my home city of Hamilton, very easy to visit and perfect for a fun day out with family.

If you live nearby or you’re planning a road trip in the North Island of New Zealand, then I would recommend including a stop at the sunflower farm in your itinerary. It’s position in the Waikato region makes in convenient to visit when exploring other tourist hot spots and the experience is not one you have every day!

In this post I’ll help you plan your visit to the Taupiri Sunflower Farm. I’ll provide location information, answer some frequently asked questions 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.

The History of The Taupiri Sunflower Farm

The beauty of the sunflowers is tinged with the sadness surrounding their history. The idea for growing sunflowers was born in 2020 during the Covid pandemic when the farm owners decided to plant sunflowers along the road frontage. The sunflowers are also a way to honor, and remember forever, the sister of the owner who died in 2001.

They do say if you build it people will come and that’s exactly what happened. The popularity of the sunflowers in 2021 saw the owners expand the offering and today, a visit to Taupiri Sunflower Farm is a must do for anyone who enjoys spending time in nature.

I think the idea of the sunflowers as a memorial to a loved one is a beautiful gesture and the fields are the perfect place for family and friends to spend time together in nature.

Taupiri Sunflower Farm is actually part of a working farm where the owners raise calves and grow maize. At the end of the 2024/2025 season, the sunflowers were harvested by a local farmer who incorporated them into maize for feeding to his own cattle.

Where is the Taupiri Sunflower Farm?

The Taupiri Sunflower Farm is located in the small town of Taupiri, about a 20 minute drive from Hamilton and about a hours’ drive south of Auckland. Unfortunately, there is no public transport to get you to the farm so you will need your own car, however there is plenty of car parking available on site.

You can see from the map that the Sunflower Farm, which is located in the Waikato region, is not far from the rural community of Gordonton. Read my post 12 of the Best Things to Do in Hamilton for details of several activities available in Gordonton that you could enjoy before or after visiting the Taupiri Sunflower Farm.

The Waikato region itself is very popular with tourists, especially those heading to Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves and Raglan. It’s therefore sensible to include a visit to the Taupiri Sunflower Farm as part of your itinerary to visit some or all of these other spots.

Visiting The Taupiri Sunflower Farm

Here is the key information you will need to plan your visit to the Taupiri Sunflower Farm:

1. When is the Taupiri Sunflower Farm open?

Sunflowers are summer flowers so in New Zealand the season is generally December – late February.

I visited in February during the final couple of weeks of the season. There were still plenty of flowers to see and photograph but you should check the official Taupiri Sunflower Farm website in advance of your planned visit to make sure they have opened for the season.

Season opening dates will be known toward the end of each year and once the season is underway, the Sunflower Farm is open from 9am to 4pm daily.

2. How much does it cost to visit Taupiri Sunflower Farm?

Tickets cost $13.50 for adults (ages 13+), $12 for seniors (65+) and $8.50 for children aged 6 to 12. Kids aged under 6 are free with a paying adult.

I purchased my ticket at the gate. During the height of the season however, especially weekends, I would recommend you book online.

Please be aware that there may be times when the farm has to close, either because of weather or for farm/growing related reasons.

3. What can I expect to see and do?

Well, it goes without saying that you can expect to see fields and fields of brilliant sunflowers! There are also plenty of “props” scattered throughout the fields creating not only interesting things for kids to explore, but great backgrounds for your social media photos! Various tracks meander their way through the fields and you can wander along these at your leisure.

The early parts of the 2024/2025 season also saw other flowers in bloom and sweetcorn for picking. Although there is no café on site, there are tables where you can sit and eat your own picnic brought from home.

Given the presence of flowers, you can also expect to see or hear bees. The sunflower fields and flower beds are their workplace so just to let them be(e!) and exercise caution, especially if you have allergies.

Overall, you can expect to spend a wonderful few hours in nature surrounded by towering giants in the hot New Zealand sunshine!

4. Can I pick the sunflowers?

Yes! You can pick your own flowers at a cost of $3 per stem. You will need to take your own secateurs or strong scissors however, along with a container or bag to put your sunflowers in.

Visitor Tips

Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your visit:

• take a comfort stop before arriving – there are no facilities on the farm
• wear comfortable, supportive shoes – this is a requirement given that you will be on a farm, however the ground is quite uneven and you will be walking a bit so make sure your shoes are sturdy and comfortable
• wear sunscreen – the New Zealand sun is no joke! I would also recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses for extra protection
• take secateurs – you will need these if you want to pick your own sunflowers
• make sure your camera is fully charged – there are no charging points on the farm!
• take your own picnic if you’re visiting around lunchtime
• keep in mind that the Sunflower Farm is part of a working farm. Follow any guidance given and stick to the areas open to Sunflower Farm visitors
• take your allergy medication – you may need this if you have allergies to bees, pollen etc.

Final Thoughts

A visit to the Taupiri Sunflower Farm is a wonderful experience. Being out in nature in a family friendly environment is hard to beat and is a perfect antidote to today’s hectic lifestyle.

Its location in the Waikato region puts the Taupiri Sunflower Farm close to some of the most popular tourists attractions in the country making it simple to include in any road trip itinerary. A visit to the Taupiri Sunflower Farm also makes a great day out for those living in Hamilton, Auckland and surrounding areas. I highly recommend visiting!

If you’re looking for more things to do in the region, then do check out 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.