Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
*Please note the TSS Earnslaw Steamship is undergoing scheduled maintenance during the period 19th May to 1 October 2025*
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: 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
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.
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.
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 & Cruise TSS/Spirit
Cruise across to Walter Peak on the historic and iconic TSS Earnslaw Steamship and return on the Modern Spirit of Queenstown
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 & 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
Reviews
1,176 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sailing into history
Venture23078767021,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very pleasant and nostalgic (my first time on the Earnslaw was in 1953) voyage, a close-up opportunity to view the extensive work carried out on the Earnslaw. The crew were welcoming and helpful. not an experience to be missed!
Best gourmet lunch!
Mikayla G,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely loved this tour out to Walter Peak! My partner and I went and couldn’t fault the gourmet lunch. Its very relaxed and the service was wonderful. Everything ran on schedule and we still had the afternoon to enjoy the rest of Queenstown. The views on the lake were also stunning.
I was sold this as a...
Geoff M,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00I was sold this as a gourmet BBQ so was expecting quantity steak, sausages, chops etc. got mostly low quality roasted meats. Sweets were beautiful though as were the gardens.
Fun adventure
Stefanie H,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great outing snd and a fun experience overall! Food was delicious and the farm delightful. Gardens and animals great!
Excellent trip.
PRANESHKUMAR B,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent trip with TSS Earnslaw Cruise with Walter Peak Highland Farm visit and BBQ buffet lunch and also Farm show. Panoramic views were great during Cruise trip. Highly recommended to all ages.
Great day with excellent barbecue
Lisa S,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00-Beautiful panoramic boat trip over the lake -excellent buffet food (lush selection, fresh, abundant and respectable) -Funny farm show ->great tour, worth it
Fabulous day out! Must not miss this!
ruthiepegs,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The twin screw steam ship is a beautiful ship and of course the views are splendid The lunch was very good food and the farm visit was absolutely charming. We had good weather and it was a perfect day out! My daughter lives in queenstown and she loves this trip too even though she has done it many times
Walter Peak farm experience and lunch - amazing
Kellie M,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A must do experience when visiting Queenstown. The lunch was one of the best buffets we’ve had, quality of the food was excellent and catered for everyone
Relaxing cruise and excellent lunch
Paul C,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent entry pleasure cruise on an old steamer followed by a 5 course lunch. It is best to board early to get a good seat on the steamer and if you want quiet trip get away from the bar.
It was awesome experience...
Janet A,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was awesome experience unforgettable. The view was majestic, the staffs are polite. We also enjoyed the farm show.
From NZ$159.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by RealNZ