Ambewela Farm
A cool-climate dairy farm above Nuwara Eliya, nicknamed Little New Zealand, where green pastures, grazing cows and a milk bar make an easy family outing.
About 17 to 20 km from Nuwara Eliya, in a hill station fittingly nicknamed Little New Zealand, Ambewela Farm spreads across sweeping green pastures that look genuinely out of place compared to the rest of Sri Lanka. The Ambewela Farm itself was established by the British in the early 1940s, originally to supply fresh milk to British troops stationed on the island, while the neighbouring New Zealand Farm was set up in 1960 with direct assistance from the New Zealand government, both now managed together under the Lanka Milk Foods Group. Together they cover more than 1,500 acres, making it one of the largest pasturelands in the entire country.
Visitors come mainly for the sight of it, giant Friesian and Ayrshire cattle grazing freely across rolling grassland, wind turbines turning slowly in the distance, European style cottages dotting a landscape that feels genuinely transplanted from somewhere much further south. The farm produces milk, yoghurt, cream and cheese, sold locally and across the island, and visitors can watch the modern, largely automated milking process up close, a rare glimpse into Sri Lanka's dairy industry for anyone used to seeing only tea and rice fields.
Sitting at over 6,000 feet elevation, the cool climate here holds year round, making Ambewela a popular family stop, especially for children who don't often get to see cattle this large or landscape this distinctly pastoral anywhere else on the island.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Entry fee applies
- Opening hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time: Daytime, on a clear day
Getting there
About 12km from Nuwara Eliya near Ambewela, on the Pattipola road.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Ambewela Farm?
- Entry fee applies.
- What are the opening hours at Ambewela Farm?
- 8:30am to 5:00pm.
- How long should I spend at Ambewela Farm?
- Plan for 1 to 1.5 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Ambewela Farm?
- Daytime, on a clear day.
- How do I get to Ambewela Farm?
- About 12km from Nuwara Eliya near Ambewela, on the Pattipola road.