Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Start your evening cruising along the waters of Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown aboard either the iconic vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship or the sleek Spirit of Queenstown.
Step inside the charming lakeside Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, where the enticing scent of wood-fired BBQ fills the air. Our chefs prepare a mouthwatering spread using the finest local ingredients, featuring a generous buffet of crisp salads, seasonal vegetables, and tender cuts of locally sourced meat. Don't forget the selection of desserts! With panoramic views of Lake Whakatipu and Queenstown’s alpine backdrop, the Colonel’s Homestead offers an idyllic setting steeped in colonial charm and surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds.
Your visit also includes a lively farm demonstration. Watch skilled farm dogs expertly herd sheep and get up close with friendly farm animals. If time allows, take a peaceful stroll through the lakeside gardens before boarding the vessel for your scenic return cruise to Queenstown.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 18 years to consume alcohol
Note: The experience is cash free and we reserve the right to refuse cash as a means of payment when purchasing products or services.
Note: The TSS Earnslaw will be undergoing scheduled maintenance 19 May to 1 October 2025, we have the modern vessel (Spirit of Queenstown) available throughout this time
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Begin your activity by checking in to our RealNZ Visitor Centre - 88 Beach Street, Queenstown. Board the vessel and travel across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm and return. Enjoy a delicious buffet meal before then watching the farm demonstration hosted by our specialist guides. The experience ends with the return trip across Lake Whakatipu, dropping you off at the same place you boarded in central Queenstown.
What‘s Included
BBQ buffet dinner
Cruise across lake on vessel of your choice (TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown)
Farm Show
Live commentary on board
Drinks
Options
5pm BBQ Dinner and TSS Cruise
5pm Departure: Cruise both ways on the iconic TSS Earnslaw, a coal-fired steamship that’s been a part of the region’s history since 1912
7pm BBQ Dinner and TSS Cruise
7pm Departure: 7pm Departure: Cruise both ways on the iconic TSS Earnslaw, a coal-fired steamship that’s been a part of the region’s history
BBQ Dinner and Modern Cruise
Cruise both ways on the spacious and modern Spirit of Queenstown Catamaran. Epic viewing platforms and onboard bar.
Reviews
614 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Better than dinner in town
MontanaCole,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a beautiful boat ride and the real steamboat was really cool. You can see the guy shoveling coal. Dinner was fantastic and everyone was friendly.
Amazing experience.
wolfgangf725,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience. First the trip on steamer Earnslaw, and then the beautiful gardens, dining set-up and service at Walter Peak. Despite in excess of 200 people attending dinner, the organisation and service could not be faulted. Plentiful and wide range of buffet food, without the usual scramble. The live dog and sheep farm show was also educational and interesting.
Perfect all round Kiwi experience
Irene S,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful location in beautiful Queenstown for a cruise across the lake in perfect weather ! Stunning views 360 degrees . Fascinating to be able to see the engines in action on the steamship , feel the heat and see the coal fires burning . The Walter Peak high country farm served up a stunning selection of food- my favourites were the tender and tasty lamb and venison . Top of the desert treat list was Sticky toffee pudding - everything beautifully presented . Quite a crowd but everyone well spread and placed so not overwhelming . Something for everyone ( even vegan ) all in a large homestead farmhouse with Dave Dobbyn playing through the speakers. Mia the Working dog stole the farm show as the star , perfectly executing her sheep rounding duties without a care in the world for all the eyes watching her . Also a chance to take home a piece of freshly sheared wool off an obliging lamb ! It was all as kiwi as kiwi gets ! Loved it
An absolutely amazing evening
jamesvP9596JV,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic evening we had. The boat is amazing and the trip over just beautiful. The bbq dinner was absolutely amazing and one of the best meals we had in queenstown. The sheep dog and shearing show was also a heap of fun. Couldn't rate the experience any higher
Fun and Enjoyable Evening Out
Rick S,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fun boat trip on a vintage steamer to an idealized sheep farm where there is a delicious buffet dinner and a sheep herding/shearing show. Gardens surrounding the dining venue were stunningly beautiful. Boat ride, dinner and the show were the right length to enjoy without becoming tedious. Kim, the sheep dog, was delightful. Sight lines for the sheep herding and shearing demonstration could be improved It was cool on deck for the return, so be sure to bring a jacket.
A beautiful lunch and show at Walter Peak Station
dale490,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent “BBQ lunch” and sheep dog show at Walter Peak Station. Hardly a BBQ, an amazing buffet of BBQ cooked meats, salad’s vegetables deserts… make sure you arrive hungry food is superb! The farm show watching a sheep shearing and seeing the dogs at work is an experience to remember.
It was worth it
Steffen B,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The farm is definitely worth a visit. We enjoyed it a lot. The food was good and sufficient and the subsequent show with the sheep and the guard dog were very interesting.
Trip well worth it
737debbiez,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent Bbq and sheep shearing/herding show Took a steamboat to get there very cool
TSS Earnslaw Evening Cruise
Greg S,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The evening tour starts on the wharf at Queenstown at exactly 5pm so arrive by about 4:30 so as not to be at the end of the line. Its a line-up of passengers to board the steamer. Make sure to have your ticket with you (printed or phone). You can ride on the upper or lower deck ... the stairs are very awkward so I recommend the upper deck unless already full. We rode on the lower deck on the out-journey and the upper deck back .. iif you ride the upper deck beware the fumes from the coal fired engine are a bit overwhelming.. The steamer runs to exact times. On board there are drinks and snacks available to purchase, and free water for everyone. Its a lovely environment on-board and the views of the lake are wonderful. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the Walter Peak venue which is a working sheep station & a huge modern public restaurant where a delicious bbq dinner is available from about 7 to 8pm. Drinks are extra cost. Following the dinner there is a short , educational and interesting display given by a sheep sheerer and his border collie .. well worth the half hour it takes. Following the display the steamer returns to Queenstown with an onboard piano entertainer where everyone can join in. The steamer arrives back at the wharf at about 9pm.
A great evening
Trail755676,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful experience from start to finish - loved everything about it
From NZ$189.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by RealNZ