Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Cruise & Walter Peak Farm with Afternoon Tea

The TSS Earnslaw Still Runs, and the Farm Animals Still Remember You

You cruise across Lake Wakatipu on a historic or modern vessel, arrive at a working high country station, meet farm animals and watch live herding demonstrations, then settle in for homemade afternoon tea in the homestead gardens. The fixed schedule means no arranging transport or timing the farm yourself—you just show up twenty minutes early and let the day unfold.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lake cruise and farm visit

• Arrive 20 minutes before departure
• Cruise across Lake Wakatipu
• Arrive at Walter Peak Farm
• Guided farm tour with animals
• Watch farm dog demonstration
• Enjoy homemade afternoon tea
• Leisure time to explore farm
• Return cruise to Queenstown

The Experience

The boat leaves the dock at Queenstown, and you realize halfway across Lake Wakatipu that the water is actually that clear—you can see straight down, and it's unsettling in the best way. The TSS Earnslaw, if it's running (it takes annual maintenance, so check the dates), is a vintage steamship that feels like stepping into a postcard from 1912. If the modern Spirit of Queenstown catamaran is operating instead, it's sleeker but gets you across the same water just as fast. Either way, the commentary on board walks you through the lake's geography and the high country station you're heading toward, so you're not just sitting there wondering what comes next.

Walter Peak High Country Farm sits on the far shore, and the moment you step off the boat, a rural host meets you and starts introducing you to the animals. There are sheep, alpacas, cattle, and working farm dogs—the kind that actually herd things, not pets. The farm show is the part that sticks with you; watching the dogs work is genuinely impressive, and the guides explain what's happening in a way that feels like they actually do this every day (because they do). You get time to wander the grounds yourself after the show, so if you want to spend twenty minutes standing near the alpacas or sitting in the gardens, nobody's rushing you.

Afternoon tea arrives in the homestead—homemade scones, tea, the full setup—and it's the kind of thing that sounds quaint until you're actually eating it after a morning on the water and a farm tour. The pace here is slow enough that you can breathe, which is the opposite of most Queenstown activities. The whole experience runs three to four hours from dock to dock, so it's not a full-day commitment, but it's long enough that you feel like you've actually been somewhere, not just ticked a box.

What’s included

Your experience includes the cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard your choice of vessel, the guided farm tour at Walter Peak High Country Farm, live commentary on board, the working farm dog demonstration, and afternoon tea with homemade scones served at the homestead. Transportation to the dock and back is your own arrangement, though public transport options are available nearby in Queenstown.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by RealNZ

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see a working New Zealand farm and cruise one of the country's most famous lakes without arranging your own transport or timing—the fixed schedule and included afternoon tea mean you show up and the day is already planned.

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Top questions

Which boat will I be on—the TSS Earnslaw or the Spirit of Queenstown?

The TSS Earnslaw runs most of the year, but it undergoes annual maintenance from mid-May to late June. During that window, the modern Spirit of Queenstown catamaran operates instead. Both cross Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak.

How long is the whole experience?

The cruise and farm visit take three to four hours total, including the boat ride both ways, the farm tour, the live show, and afternoon tea.

What animals will I see?

You'll meet sheep, alpacas, cattle, and working farm dogs. The live demonstration focuses on the herding dogs and how they work on the station.

Is afternoon tea included?

Yes. Homemade scones and tea are served at the homestead as part of the experience.

Can I bring children or elderly relatives?

The experience is suitable for all fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the farm is wheelchair accessible. Transportation options are also wheelchair accessible.

What time do I need to arrive?

Arrive twenty minutes before your scheduled departure time to check in at the Queenstown dock.

Is this accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. The farm, the vessels, and transportation to the dock are all wheelchair accessible.

What if the weather is bad?

The cruise operates in most conditions. Check with the operator on the day if you're concerned about rough water or poor visibility.