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
BBQ Dinner and Modern Cruise
Cruise both ways on the spacious and modern Spirit of Queenstown Catamaran. Epic viewing platforms and onboard bar.
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
Reviews
574 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must do for anyone...
Glen S,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Must do for anyone visiting. The farmhouse and gardens are absolutely beautiful. The meal itself was amazing, very fresh and tasty with lots of options. To top it off, the Steamship cruise was incredible.
A wonderful experience
Big-A-Leics,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00You begin with a 45 minute cruise on a steam powered ship from the early 1900s. There’s brass and polished wood everywhere. It has a cafe and bar on board too. The BBQ has to be experienced to be believed. There’s veg, salad, cheese and biscuits, beef, chicken, lamb and pork plus various desserts in an all you can eat buffet, just pay for drinks. That’s followed by a sheep shearing demo and a sheep dog demo. All good fun. Definitely worth a visit.
Fantastic evening out
Neil A,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic evening, 45 min cruise to the farm where we had a great bbq meal and watched a show of sheep herding and shearing. Then a 45 min trip back with the sun setting behind the boat - highly recommend!
A lovely evening with great food
Dreamer03229230182,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fantastic evening. The views as the Earnslaw cruises down the lake are spectacular - by day and night - and, once at the venue, the service and food were exceptional. Really enjoyed being able to view the engine room and watch the stoker shovelling coal into the boilers - good old-world engineering at its best! A great experience and worth the cost in my opinion.
Fabulous family time!
Barbara V,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Include the buffet when booking. Delicious and tremendous variety. If you can only choose one experience in Queenstown, choose TSS Earnslaw.
Food and boat ride.
Eddie H,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The boat ride experience was great the staff, and everything about the boat and how it runs. The views of the river and mountains. But the food experience was very disappointing. The buffet had a very good varity of food, but the meats were not hot. All the meats were cold, the way the meats were sitting on the buffet didn't look safe under the food hygiene regulations of 1974 (FSANZ) Standards. Note: To Manager, please have some Knowledge of food standards that involves understanding and applying rules for safe food handling, production, and to prevent contamination, illnesses, and ensure quality, covering everything from personal hygiene.
Stunning
M678HFstephenp,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A beautiful setting after an incredible steam boat ride. The staff were well dressed and clean, perfect manners, and attentive to diners needs. A vast variety of cold and hot food presented well. It was a delicious meal and the desserts were exceptional
Beautiful trip!
Lauren S,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great evening! Boat tour was lovely and the buffet at Walter peak was incredible so much choice and good quality produce, the fact you could go up again made it such good value for money! The farm is a beautiful setting and the show is a very nice touch, as well as being able to walk around some of the other animals they have. I chose this activity and I’ve done a lot of different things in Queenstown and was looking for something new- this did not disappoint and I’d definitely go again!
Get there early! But lots of fun
Scott W,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great ride across the lake and an absolutely amazing buffet spread. Get there EARLY! Huge line already at 4:30 and seats fill up on the boat.
Wonderful experience
DANCINGLASS,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lovely boat trip to a great destination. Beautiful venue. Delicious food, excellent service. Loved the farm show and singalong on the return boat ride.
From NZ$189.00
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Operated by RealNZ