TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown
Description
Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Whakatipu, Walter Peak High Country Farm is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few hours. Immerse yourself in nature and learn about conservation throughout New Zealand. Begin your trip with a 45 minute cruise aboard the Vintage TSS Earnslaw, an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon. You will be greeted by our rural host, who will give you a tour of the stunning Restaurant Garden and showcase the beautiful native plants. Sample fresh produce straight from the veggie beds and orchard! Next savour a delicious garden platters made with with ingredients just harvested during your visit. This is the perfect adventure for those who want to give back to the environment while immersing themselves in New Zealand’s native scenery. You will then have the opportunity to have a hands on role in Walter Peaks land restoration project by planting a native tree or shrub from our nursery.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Enjoy a cruise along Lake Wakatipu on your journey to and from Walter Peak and enjoy informative commentary from our knowledgeable nature guide. (45 minutes each way). Climb aboard the Vintage TSS Earnslaw Steamship for your return back to Queenstown, an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon.
Fall in love with nature and immerse yourself in a unique experience where conservation, horticulture, and eco-tourism meet.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note for wheelchair users, access is restricted on the vintage TSS Earnslaw Vessel as the toilets are downstairs from the only wheelchair accessible area. The terrain at Walter Peak is also rocky gravel farm paths and should be considered before booking.
Reviews(19)
Booked the trip through viator for the cruise, BBQ lunch and farm show. It was a great experience, though the boat was packed with tour groups. Get to the dock early to ensure a good seat. The cruise was fine up the Western shores of Lake Wakatipu. Nothing particularly special. The highlight was the BBQ. I was anticipating a BBQ with burgers, etc. outside. Nope. It was one of the most exquisite buffets I'd seen since Covid inside at dining tables. It was top class with meats (pork, chicken, lamb, beef - all freshly roasted), fish, appetizers, many salads and a decedent dessert selection. The Farm Show was cool with a demonstration of sheep herding. I'd give a B to the cruise and farm show, but the lunch made the experience an A.
I wouldn't advise booking with Tripadvisor! We are in Queenstown, NZ, excited about a TSs Earnslaw steamboat and Gourmet BBQ lunch trip we thought wed booked for 11 am tomorrow - 11th April, '26. We received a confirmation text message this morning - 24 hours prior to departure. There was a link to follow to their website for booking details: Followed link, only to find No booking on my profile. So I rang - they hung up on me twice, on my third call, she just kept saying, "Im sorry, Mam, theres nothing I can do - its now fully booked. " .... nothing! no offer to rebook - no compensation - nothing! My Great Grandparents lived in Queenstown - every time the earnslaw came past, we'd run down to the lake front and wave - the steamboat always blew its big horn. Im so sad this has happened. Tripadvisor wasn't sorry or helpful!
It was a good time to relax on the boat as the steamboat, which has been around for over 100 years, made its way through the majestic scenery. We visited orchards, planted seedlings to increase forests, and had memories. Afternoon tea is a place where people from other countries It was an enjoyable time to be able to talk to travelers.
TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak. This is definitely a must see. We did the afternoon tea. They served lots of food. The grounds are beautiful. However booking through Viator was a mistake. We booked 4 tours with them. Booking was easy. Retrieving our booking information was a nightmare. The customer service was good and very helpful. We did not want to spend our vacation time on the phone with them.
Bring warm clothing and stay away from the lime sorbet The boat and crew were just amazing and very very helpful
We had the best experience aboard this scenic cruise on Lake Whakatipu vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and explore the decks and engine room. There was a lovely buffet-style BBQ dining at Walter Peak, there was an after dinner show with the farm dogs in action 3 hour 45 minute return experience
The food and the guide were A+++ We love the boat, food and farm experience. Will recommend to everyone
going on the TSS Earnslaw is a very unique experience. It's about a 45 minute ride to lunch/dinner. As we approached the farm, the staff were out waving and welcoming us Downton Abbey style. The extensive buffet was loaded with Asian and New Zealand choices of cheeses, appetizers, veggies, beef, fish, chicken, pork and lamb and beautifully crafted desserts. We had heard about the food from everyone who mentioned the trip, and it did NOT disappoint!!!! There was ample food to sample everything and to go back for more. It was extremely well-organized, delicious and clean. Service was exceptional. The sheep shearing was fun. Our sheep was a squirmy guy, so challenging for Josh, who obviously was very fit. We enjoyed the whole experience. It is a must-do!
We really enjoyed the boat ride, the garden to table food, and planting a tree. We’re glad we signed up for this one, and would do it again!
My husband and I quite enjoyed this outing. The cruise over on the steamship was great for both of us - I could enjoy the views while he was fascinated with the workings of the steamship and boiler room. Being able to watch that in action was fantastic. Once at the farm, the buffet lunch was delicious and very well organized. We quite enjoyed the farm show, in particular seeing how the dog did its job. That was very cool! Great way to spend a few hours!
