Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

A return scenic cruise from Queenstown Bay, across stunning Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm on a vessel of your choice, a farm demonstration and a delicious BBQ Lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead.

The rural demonstrator will give guests an insight into life in the New Zealand high country by providing an entertaining farm show including working sheep dogs.

Enjoy a unique dining experience at Walter Peak where the menu showcases food and wine from the wider Central Otago region. Chefs prepare a tasty selection of meats on the outdoor grill, while fresh, seasonal salads and vegetables are available from the dining area of the Colonel’s Homestead. Top off lunch with a selection of delicious sweet treats and local cheeses.

Choose between sailing on the iconic 1912 TSS Earnslaw Steamship or the spacious and modern Spirit of Queenstown Catamaran.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Note: Menu items are subject to change based on chef's discretion and seasonal availability.

Note: Please let RealNZ know in advance if you have dietary requirements via messaging through Viator

Note: The TSS Earnslaw is cash free and we reserve the right to refuse cash as a means of payment when purchasing products or services.

Note: When the TSS EArnslaw is on its annual survey, our modern catamaran will be substituted

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Lake Wakatipu

Return Cruise on Lake Wakatipu on the either the Vintage Steamship, the TSS Earnslaw or the Modern Catamaran, Spirit of Queenstown. Your vessel of choice will travel from Queenstown to Walter Peak. Stop at Walter Peak for lunch and a sheep shearing demonstration, before returning across the lake to Queenstown.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience – a delicious gourmet BBQ lunch and a farm demo in a stunning lakeside setting. Your lunch starts with a cruise across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Once there, you can sit back on the lakeside terrace of the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant and savor the delicious aromas as our chef has the best of local produce, sizzling away on the grill. Our lunch menu has been refreshed with the introduction of our new executive chef, so you'll have a plenty to choose from our seasonal menu - salads, vegetables, succulent meat cooked on the outdoor rotisserie or grill. If you’re vegetarian, don’t worry, you are well catered for too. Then finish your meal with a scrumptious dessert. After your lunch, you can join an entertaining farm demonstration or explore the beautiful lakeside gardens. Return cruise back to your original starting point in Queenstown, convenient to continue exploring.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Cruise across lake Whakatipu and back to Queenstown

GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Live English commentary on board as well as interpretation handouts in English, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Thai, Korean and Chinese

Gourmet BBQ Lunch

Farm Show

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Options

BBQ Dining & TSS Cruise

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 Dining & Modern Cruise

BBQ Dining & Modern Cruise : Cruise both ways on the spacious and modern Spirit of Queenstown Catamaran. Epic viewing platforms to take the best photos

BBQ Dining & Cruise TSS/Spirit

Cruise across to Walter Peak on the historic and iconic TSS Earnslaw Steamship and return on the Modern Spirit of Queenstown

Reviews

4.77

1,287 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1100

130

Excellent day out
Dibbyspot,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent organisation and trip over the lake. The bbq was fantastic overall a fantastic day out
Unmissable
Alex J,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
A fantastic experience, a Queenstown must-do whilst you’re here. All of the details, from drinks on board to the delicious lunch, to the great farm show are top notch
Great activity well recommended
Daniel C,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was a fantastic experience on a 114 year old steam powered vessel, with commentary and a full bar on board. BBQ lunch at Walter Peake was fantastic, buffet style with desserts included. Followed by a great farm demonstration with sheep shearing and a display from two amazing working dogs. This activity is very much recommended with multiple departures daily.
Exceeded expectations. Loved it
Julie N,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
As a New Zealander, I had always avoided experiences that included meals, thinking “Tourist trap” and substandard food etc . A couple of friends and family members have been on trip and recommended so we went. I loved the experience of cruising on the historic steamer and seeing a different view of the mountains. The food was exceptional! Good quality meats and plenty of variety for veges and sides. All helped by a very organised set up and staff that made the buffet very civilised and pleasant. Although the farm show was not new to us, it wasn’t too long and was very well presented. It’s also fun to be amongst tourists in the audience who have never seen sheep shorn and farm dogs at work.
100 percent do this!
H1930IZlisaa,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing experience with the most delicious kiwi food and incredible scenery. Farm show was great fun & interesting without being too long. Timing of everything was like clockwork. There is enough time for everything as well as being relaxing and not rushed. It really is a must do. We hope to go again before we leave our 9 day stay.
Queenstown must do.
Jan J,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Very unique experience. Well organized. An amazing ship, a delicious buffet and an interesting farm show.
Farm was perfect, boat crew couldn’t care less
Fabio E,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
Farm experience at Walter Peak was perfect. Friendly staff, great sheepdog show, lovely high tea. Bought a gift from the farm shop to remember the trip. Left it on my seat on the Earnslaw. Crew refused to let me back on or check my seat. Were rude when I asked. Called and emailed, no help. Flying home the next day so I lost it for good. The vintage cruise sells itself so apparently they don't need to treat customers well. Farm team were brilliant though. 2 stars only because of Walter Peak.
Unique way to see Queenstown surrounds
242annabellee,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We really enjoyed this! It's a great way to get out on the lake and see the surroundings from a different angle - the views are beautiful. You can see right into the engine and literally watch the coal being shovelled in which we thought was really cool. There is lots of info available about the engine and the history of the boat (which is very well preserved/restored as well). We just did the 90 minute trip out and back although Walter Peak looked lovely as well. It was the 9am run on a Tuesday and was lively but not crowded - plenty of seats. The staff were helpful too.
Fabulous trip to walter Peak homestead
Julie P,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great cruise with advice given from Captain - fabulous luncheon at Walter Peak and great farm show - would highly recommend to any visitors to Queenstown
Omg!! The food was...
Nicole S,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Yum!! The food was exceptional, make sure you save room for the amazing desserts. The boat was also lots of fun . Great value would definitely recommend.