Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining

Cruise across Lake Whakatipu and experience gourmet dining in a setting like no other. At Walter Peak High Country Farm’s Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, enjoy a long lunch or dinner service featuring the finest local produce, expertly grilled over a wood-fired BBQ.

Relax in the historic Colonel’s Homestead, where colonial architecture, manicured gardens, and breathtaking alpine views set the scene for an unforgettable dining experience. Our seasonal menu, crafted by our executive chef Will Eaglesfield, showcases a selection of fresh salads, vegetables, succulent meats, and seafood, with vegetarian dishes and indulgent desserts to not miss out on.

After your meal, enjoy a sheepshearing and farm dog demonstration and wander through the beautiful lakeside gardens before cruising back to Queenstown.

Things to Know

• Choose from a gourmet long lunch or dinner at Colonel’s Homestead.

• Includes a return lake cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Select your preferred cruise style when booking (see the comparison table below).

• Enjoy a farm demonstration and explore the stunning lakeside gardens.

• Menu items change due to seasonal availability and the chef’s discretion.

• The TSS Earnslaw is scheduled to undergo annual maintenance from May 19 to September 9, 2025. Walter Peak High Country Farm experiences will be serviced by the Spirit of Queenstown (Modern Catamaran) during this time.

• The TSS Earnslaw and Spirit of Queenstown are cash-free – card payments only.

Extra Information

• A licensed bar and café are available onboard the TSS Earnslaw and Spirit of Queenstown.

• Suitable for all ages.

Explore the unique features of our two cruise vessels, the TSS Earnslaw and the Spirit of Queenstown, with this side-by-side comparison. Whether you’re drawn to the historic charm of a century-old steamship or the comforts of a modern catamaran, this table highlights key differences to help you choose the experience that’s right for you.

The TSS Earnslaw	The Spirit of Queenstown
🚢 Historic twin-screw steamship launched in 1912 (260-person capacity)	🛥️ Modern catamaran designed for contemporary cruising (120-person capacity)
💰 A Queenstown icon: Adults from $189, Children from $95	💰 Great value: Adults from $149, children from $75
⏱ 45-minute one-way cruise - a longer time exploring the steamship’s rich heritage	⏱ 30-minute one-way cruise - a longer time exploring Walter Peak
⭐ Watch the coal stokers at work in the open-top engine room and relax with a drink from the onboard café and bar	⭐ Relax on the spacious open-top deck with breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Whakatipu and The Remarkables with a drink from the onboard café and bar
♿ Historic design might be tricky for prams or mobility aids	♿ Designed for everyone – more accessible for prams and mobility aids
💥Don’t miss – the pianist and optional sing-a-long on your return scenic cruise to Queenstown	💥 Don’t miss – informative commentary sharing local insights as you take in the expansive mountain views

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

If you have pre-purchased tickets, please meet us in front of the TSS Earnslaw, Steamer Wharf dock.

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

TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship, 1912

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.

Walter Peak High Country Farm, on the western shores of Lake Wakatipu, is steeped in history. Its sheltered bays were used as camping sites by Maori travelling to the Mararoa and Oreti Rivers on Moa hunting and pounamu (greenstone) gathering expeditions.

European settlement commenced in the 1860s with initial farming attempts by Von Tunzelman. Stock deaths, snowstorms and lack of money eventually forced him off the land.

Following a quick succession of owners, Walter Peak Station was taken over in the late 1880s by the Mackenzies. This family is credited with developing many of the principles of successful high-country farming during their 80 years working the property.

At its peak, the station was one of New Zealand’s most famous, with 170,000 acres, 40,000 sheep and up to 50 full-time employees. The original homestead block of Walter Peak Station is now known as Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Over time, various permanent homes were established, and these included the Colonel’s Homestead with its beautiful lakeside gardens. Originally built in 1902, it was carefully reconstructed in 1977 following an accidental fire.

At Walter Peak’s Homestead Restaurant, we are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all our guests.

Our Gourmet BBQ Dining experience is wheelchair accessible, and the restaurant is designed to be safe and accommodating for those with limited mobility. Please note that access from the wharf to the restaurant involves an inclined gravel path, which may be challenging for some wheelchair users, especially when unaccompanied.

To ensure we can provide the best support possible, we kindly ask that you inform us of any accessibility requirements at the time of booking. While our team is always happy to help where possible, staff assistance cannot be guaranteed at all times, so we recommend traveling with someone who can assist if needed.

Your comfort and safety are important to us, and we appreciate your understanding in helping us make your visit as enjoyable as possible.