Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining

For a dining experience like no other, cruise across Lake Whakatipu on the iconic TSS Earnslaw and discover Queenstown’s incomparable fine dining destination.

Cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw across to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Once at the lakeside Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant savour the delicious aromas as our chef has the best of local produce sizzling away on the grill.

Overlooking Lake Whakatipu and Queenstown's alpine scenery, the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm is the perfect place to spend a few hours. Its colonial architecture and sweeping grounds evoke the elegance of a bygone era.

Our lunch menu has been refreshed with the introduction of our new executive chef. They’ve enhanced the seasonal menu with new salads, vegetables and a variety of succulent meats cooked on the wood-fired BBQ.  We do not offer seafood for lunch, but vegetarian options are available and there are delectable desserts to make room for too.

An entertaining farm demonstration is also included or you can explore the beautiful lakeside gardens.

Things you should know

• Enjoy the freshly made gourmet buffet BBQ lunch at Colonel's Homestead - view our sample menu*
• Watch the farm demonstration or explore the beautiful gardens
• Includes return cruise on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw to/from Walter Peak High Country Farm
• Note: Menu items are subject to change based on chef's discretion and seasonal availability

Extra Information

• Licensed bar and café on board the TSS Earnslaw
• Suitable for all ages

TSS Earnslaw Annual Maintenance

The TSS Earnslaw will undergo its annual maintenance from 29 May - 8 July 2022 and will not be operating during this time.

Walter Peak BBQ Dining excursions will operate from 25 June - 8 July 2022 at a discounted price, using a substitute vessel.

Departure times: 11.00am and 12.15pm

Duration: 2.5 hours

Price: $99 per adult, $50 per child

Departure Location

RealNZ Visitor Centre on Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street, Queenstown Bay

What to bring

• Shoes/boots (non-slip)
• Warm clothing/jacket
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Camera
• Personal medication including for asthma and allergies

TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship, 1912

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About the TSS Earnslaw

The TSS Earnslaw is an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon. 

She was commissioned by New Zealand Railways to service the communities around Lake Wakatipu. Launched in the same year as the Titanic, the TSS Earnslaw’s maiden voyage was on 18 October 1912. 

Soon known as The Lady of the Lake, she provided an essential link between the isolated farming communities along the lake and the outside world.  At 48 metres long, she was the biggest boat on the Lake and carried passengers, sheep, cattle, mail and supplies. 

Nearly scrapped in 1968, she was rescued and purchased by RealNZ and put to work once again carrying passengers around the Lake. Since then the TSS Earnslaw has been painstakingly restored to its original condition. Everything you see is pretty much like it was 100 years ago, making her one of the most unique experiences in the world.

The TSS Earnslaw has featured in several movies including a cameo in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as an Amazon River Boat. Parts of the trawler SS Venture in Peter Jackson’s King Kong were inspired by the TSS Earnslaw. Famous composer Ron Goodwin composed a piece of music inspired by the rhythm of the TSS Earnslaw’s engines.

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