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.
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 & 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 & 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
Reviews
1,199 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Authentic dining at Walter Peak.
bikerbabe2014,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brought here as part of our NZ tour. This was a great evening out. Lovely tour of the lake on the authentic Steamship. Landing at the Walter Peak homestead was great. Fabulous array of meats, salads, veg and desserts. The sheep exhibition afterwards was really good. Definitely recommend this trip.
Brilliant Food, Scenery & Entertainment
theopH8960JK,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An awesome experience, the cruise across on the Spirit of Queenstown was very calm and had some nice commentary as you go across to Walter Peak. The buffet was incredible and catered to different dietary needs (I am mostly DF and GF). Worth the price and lovely staff. The farm show was fun to watch too!
Awesome Time
HowardHooper,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What a fun experience crossing the lake in the oldest coal fired steamer in the Southern Hemisphere. Seeing the boilers and engines in action was a treat. The meal at the farm was above my expectations. So many tasty choices. The Farm show and live sheep shearing and dog handling was fun to experience. Highly recommended for lunch or dinner if you are in QT or general area.
Wonderful day out
Michael T,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Great day out for the whole family. Highlight is seeing the working engine room. Breathtaking views of the lake from all over the boat.
New Zealand tour Walter Peak BBQ dinner steam boat
clairewD3081JP,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The steamer boat was authentic and the staff were friendly and provided great service. The food in the restaurant was amazing! Brilliantly presented and a wide choice for all types of dietary needs. The show was really entertaining too. I would have preferred something different from the pianist on the return journey it was not singalong music as suggested by the captain!
Must do in Queenstown
oban1,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Recommend , enjoyable , relaxing. From cruise on TSS Ernshaw, to arrival at Homestead. Friendly staff, wonderful food 😋.
Do it for the dog
elijahvincent0729,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such an awesome experience all around. The Steam Boat ride across the lake was unique and scenic. The lunch at the farm was extremely enjoyable and very diverse food. The best portion was the farm show. It’s a quick show but well done and you get to meet the farm dog which is very cool. 10/10 recommend.
Beautiful family day
Roimata P,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice cruise on Lake Wakatipu. The buffet is exceptional with quality products. The service is perfect from start to finish. Walter Peak Farm is beautiful and the animals live there happy. A little paradise on earth.
The boat is quite the...
Calum B,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The boat is quite the experience. Food was amazing. Just a little rushed. Would have liked another 1/2hr in the dining room. Was very in & out.
Get there early to queue...
Randy R,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Get there early to queue up boarding, in order to get a good seat, near an open window as the steam engine heats the top enclosed deck.
From NZ$159.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by RealNZ