Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining - Vintage Steamship (Lake Cruise included)
Highlights
- Return cruise across scenic Lake Whakatipu on one of our vessels.
- Lunch or dinner buffet of local and homegrown produce at the Homestead Restaurant
- Lakeside dining on the shore of Walter Peak High Country Farm, with views of vibrant Queenstown
- Dinner and a show: relax after dessert with a skilful farm dog show
- Duration: 3 hours 30 mins - 4 hours
included with
• Return cruise across scenic Lake Whakatipu onboard the iconic TSS Earnslaw steamship to Walter Peak High Country Farm
• Buffet-style Gourmet BBQ lunch or dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant
• Lakeside dining at Walter Peak, away from the bustle of Queenstown
• Walter Peak farm show with sheep-herding demonstration
excluded by
• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• Hotel pick-up & drop-off transfers
Essential
Information
*TSS Earnslaw will undergo annual maintenance during winter months when the cruise will not run.
- Not operating during vessel maintenance period : 18 May - 28 June 2026 (subject to change)
- Not operating during vessel maintenance period : 22 May - 1 July 2027 (subject to change)
**Things to Know
- Choose from a gourmet long lunch or dinner at Colonel’s Homestead.
- Includes a return lake cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Select your preferred cruise style when booking (see the comparison table below).
- Enjoy a farm demonstration and explore the stunning lakeside gardens.
- Menu items change due to seasonal availability and the chef’s discretion.
- The TSS Earnslaw is scheduled to undergo annual maintenance from May 19 to September 9, 2025 / 18 May - 28 June 2026 / 22 May - 1 July 2027. Walter Peak High Country Farm experiences will be serviced by the Spirit of Queenstown (Modern Catamaran) during this time.
- The TSS Earnslaw and Spirit of Queenstown are cash-free – card payments only.
**Extra Information
- A licensed bar and café are available onboard the TSS Earnslaw and Spirit of Queenstown.
- Suitable for all ages.
**What to bring
- Shoes/boots (non-slip)
- Warm clothing/jacket
- Sunscreen/sunglasses
- Camera
- Personal medication, including for asthma and allergies
**Accessibility
- At Walter Peak’s Homestead Restaurant, we are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all our guests.
- Our Gourmet BBQ Dining experience is wheelchair accessible, and the restaurant is designed to be safe and accommodating for those with limited mobility. Please note that access from the wharf to the restaurant involves an inclined gravel path, which may be challenging for some wheelchair users, especially when unaccompanied.
- To ensure we can provide the best support possible, we kindly ask that you inform us of any accessibility requirements at the time of booking. While our team is always happy to help where possible, staff assistance cannot be guaranteed at all times, so we recommend traveling with someone who can assist if needed.
- Your comfort and safety are important to us, and we appreciate your understanding in helping us make your visit as enjoyable as possible
Detailed Description
**About The TSS Earnslaw
The TSS Earnslaw is an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon.
She was commissioned by New Zealand Railways to service the communities around Lake Wakatipu. Launched in the same year as the Titanic, the TSS Earnslaw’s maiden voyage was on 18 October 1912.
Known as The Lady of the Lake, she provided an essential link between the isolated farming communities along the lake and the outside world. At 48 metres long, she was the biggest boat on the lake and carried passengers, sheep, cattle, mail and supplies.
Nearly scrapped in 1968, she was rescued and purchased by RealNZ and put to work once again carrying passengers around the Lake. Since then the TSS Earnslaw has been painstakingly restored to its original condition – everything you see is pretty much like it was 100 years ago. Today, the TSS Earnslaw is the only hand-fired, commercial passenger-carrying steamship in operation in the southern hemisphere, making her one of the most unique experiences in the world.
The TSS Earnslaw has featured in several movies including a cameo in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as an Amazon River Boat. Parts of the trawler SS Venture in Peter Jackson’s King Kong were inspired by the TSS Earnslaw. Famous composer Ron Goodwin composed a piece of music inspired by the rhythm of the TSS Earnslaw’s engines.
** About Walter Peak High Country Farm
Walter Peak High Country Farm, on the western shores of Lake Wakatipu, is steeped in history. Its sheltered bays were used as camping sites by Maori travelling to the Mararoa and Oreti Rivers on Moa hunting and pounamu (greenstone) gathering expeditions.
European settlement commenced in the 1860s with initial farming attempts by Von Tunzelman. Stock deaths, snowstorms and lack of money eventually forced him off the land.
Following a quick succession of owners, Walter Peak Station was taken over in the late 1880s by the Mackenzies. This family is credited with developing many of the principles of successful high-country farming during their 80 years working the property.
At its peak, the station was one of New Zealand’s most famous, with 170,000 acres, 40,000 sheep and up to 50 full-time employees. The original homestead block of Walter Peak Station is now known as Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Over time, various permanent homes were established, and these included the Colonel’s Homestead with its beautiful lakeside gardens. Originally built in 1902, it was carefully reconstructed in 1977 following an accidental fire.
**Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining
Discover Queenstown's ultimate dining destination, Walter Peak High Country Farm - the only place where you can enjoy a cruise, dinner, and show combined into one unforgettable experience.
Secluded across the tranquil waters of Lake Whakatipu, Walter Peak’s Homestead Restaurant is the ultimate dining destination. Nestled in a beautifully restored colonial homestead surrounded by sweeping, elegant grounds, it’s the perfect setting for a memorable long lunch or an unforgettable dinner
