Dinner cruise from Queenstown: Walter Peak farm and lake
A working farm dinner on the far shore of the lake, reached by water.
This four-hour evening tour departs Queenstown by cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you eat a wood-fired BBQ buffet in the Colonel's Homestead Restaurant and watch farm dogs herd sheep before returning by the same vessel. You choose between the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship or the modern Spirit of Queenstown, and between a 5pm or 7pm dinner seating.
Options for this experience
2 optionsWhat’s included
- Cruise across Lake Wakatipu on your choice of vessel (TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown).
- wood-fired BBQ buffet dinner with salads, vegetables, locally sourced meat and desserts.
- farm demonstration with working dogs and farm animals.
- live commentary during the cruise.
- return transport to central Queenstown.
Times
- Every day 17:00 19:00
Before you book
Operated by RealNZ
Prices and times updated yesterday
Traveler reviews
The experience
The evening starts at the RealNZ Visitor Centre on Beach Street in central Queenstown, where you board either the TSS Earnslaw (a vintage steamship that has crossed Lake Wakatipu since 1912), or the Spirit of Queenstown, a sleek modern vessel. The cruise itself is the first half of the experience: you travel across the lake's open water with live commentary on board, watching the alpine backdrop and the shoreline change as you move toward Walter Peak. The journey takes you to a working farm on the far side of the lake, a place most Queenstown visitors never reach without a boat.
At the Colonel's Homestead Restaurant, the wood-fired BBQ fills the air before you sit down. The buffet includes crisp salads, seasonal vegetables, and locally sourced meat cooked over the fire, plus a dessert selection. You eat with panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains beyond, in a building set among landscaped grounds. After dinner comes the farm demonstration: specialist guides work with trained farm dogs to herd sheep, and you get close to friendly farm animals. If time allows, you can walk through the lakeside gardens before heading back to the vessel for the return cruise to Queenstown, which brings you back to the same central location where you started.
You choose your vessel when you book. The TSS Earnslaw offers the historic experience, while the Spirit of Queenstown is newer and faster. You also pick your dinner time: 5pm or 7pm. The whole experience runs four hours from check-in to return. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and the farm is suitable for all fitness levels, though children must be accompanied by an adult. The experience is cashless. Payment is card-based only.
Is this one for you?Book the 5pm seating if you want to catch the last light on the lake and return to town before dark. The 7pm dinner suits a slower evening pace. The TSS Earnslaw appeals to anyone drawn to the historic vessel itself. The Spirit of Queenstown is faster and newer if you prefer a modern boat.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's included in the dinner at Walter Peak?
The buffet includes a wood-fired BBQ with locally sourced meat, crisp salads, seasonal vegetables, and desserts. Drinks are not included in the ticket price.
How long is the cruise across Lake Wakatipu?
The full experience is four hours from check-in to return to Queenstown. The cruise itself takes you across the lake to Walter Peak and back, with dinner and the farm demonstration filling the time on shore.
Can I choose between the two vessels?
Yes. You can book either the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship, or the Spirit of Queenstown, a modern vessel. Both depart from the same Queenstown location and follow the same route and schedule.
What happens during the farm demonstration?
Specialist guides work with trained farm dogs to herd sheep, and you watch the dogs work up close. You also get to interact with friendly farm animals on the property.
Is there time to explore the grounds at Walter Peak?
Yes, if time allows after dinner, you can take a peaceful stroll through the lakeside gardens before boarding the vessel for your return to Queenstown.
What time does the experience depart from Queenstown?
You can choose either a 5pm or 7pm dinner seating when you book. Check-in happens at the RealNZ Visitor Centre on Beach Street before boarding.
Dinner cruise from Queenstown: Walter Peak farm and lake
4h · EN
from NZ$ 189 per person
≈ US$ 109 in your currency
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