Experience the heart of New Zealand’s rural life at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Set on the picturesque shores of Lake Whakatipu, this relaxing and interactive journey combines a scenic cruise with an authentic farm experience.
Settle into the rhythm of the high country as you cruise across the lake aboard your chosen vessel, before being welcomed ashore by your rural host. From sheepdog demonstrations in the amphitheatre to hands-on encounters with friendly farm animals, every moment offers a genuine connection to life on the land.
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 Whakatipu. 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 ReaNZ 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. Today, the TSS Earnslaw is the only coal fired steamship in operation in the southern hemisphere, 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 Whakatipu, 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 fulltime 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.
An INCREDIBLE experience at Walter Peak Farm!9 January 2026
Ewan “Greg11” Marshall, Via GoogleThe farm show was exhilarating and brilliantly run, with presenters who were knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about what they do. The sheep dogs were a standout, their skill, precision, and teamwork were amazing to watch. The food was also fantastic: fresh, generous, and absolutely delicious. A perfect mix of entertainment, learning, and great food. A must-do when visiting New Zealand!
Walter Peak Experience.28 April 2025
carole h, Via GoogleThe cruise on the TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown was lovely, with gorgeous views over the lake to the mountain ranges.
Arrival at the Homestead was amazing, as the Staff appeared onshore to wave and welcome us.
The Dining Rooms and the Buffet meal were as spectacular as promised.
The follow-up visits to the Farm, for a sheepdog and shearing demonstration, was the perfect finale to a great visit. The young Welsh farmer (Joe?) presented with confidence and great humor, and it was wonderful watching his engagement with sheepdog (Echo?). He is a terrific addition to the Farm experience.
We were very impressed by the way the demonstration was carried out, in a sheltered arena, but with a perfectly illuminated (it was dark) view of Echo working the sheep.
Then back on the Earnslaw for our return, under the stars, to Queenstown.
One of the highlights of our tour of the South Island.
Must Do For Families!11 April 2025
Beth V, Via GoogleThis was one of favorite activities for our family during our New Zealand trip! The kids loved to feed and pet the animals, the sheep shearing and dog herding show was great, and the boat was really interesting. A great time for the kids and parents alike!
5-Star Review – Walter Peak Farm25 April 2025
Daniela F, Via TripadvisorWe visited Walter Peak Farm and were absolutely blown away by the beauty of the place. The farm is so well maintained, with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains — it honestly felt like a dream.
Even though it was raining, the experience was still incredible. The rain added a peaceful, misty charm to the scenery.
A special shoutout to Ashley, our young guide, who was knowledgeable, friendly, and full of good energy. She made the tour even more enjoyable!
This visit was a highlight of our trip to New Zealand, and I highly recommend it to anyone — rain or shine, you won’t regret it. 🌧️🌄🐑
In case you haven't found the information you were looking for, we've put together some of the most common questions our customers ask about our trips. If you need more specific answers, please contact us directly.
Queenstown has a climate with four distinct seasons however, being located in an alpine environment means the weather can be changeable. A guide for the temperatures you can expect is as follows: Summer (December-February) 19-29 Celsius, Autumn (March-May) 15-25 Celsius, Winter (June-August) 5-10 Celsius, Spring (September-November) 9-15 Celsius.
Please allow an additional 30 minutes to find parking for your vehicle prior to your check in time.
There is limited free street parking available in the streets surrounding central Queenstown. There is paid parking available in the Man Street and Church Street parking buildings plus pay and display parking at the Boundary Street and Ballarat Street carparks.
Boundary Street and Ballarat Street carparks are suitable for motorhomes. Please allow 15 minutes to walk to the RealNZ office from there.
The scenic cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak takes 45 minutes on the TSS Earnslaw and 35 minutes on the Spirit of Queenstown. The cruise takes in views of Walter Peak, Cecil Peak and the Remarkables mountain range plus panoramic views around Lake Whakatipu.
Queenstown is around a 2.5 hour drive from Te Anau or around 1hr 15 minutes from Wanaka. For more travel locations please refer to our Driving Times webpage.
The TSS Earnslaw is scheduled to operate every day of the year, except when she undergoes annual maintenance. During the survey period, the TSS Earnslaw will not be operating and Walter Peak Farm experiences will only be accessible via the Spirit of Queenstown.
All prices and transactions on the RealNZ website are in New Zealand dollars (NZD). This is specified on the Terms & Conditions page.
Some experiences at Walter Peak are wheelchair accessible and safe for impaired mobility.
The TSS Earnslaw our vintage steamship, and our Spirit of Queenstown motorized catamaran which transports guests to Walter Peak, are wheelchair accessible but do not have accessible toilets.
Walter Peak 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.
Walter Peak Farm Tour involves travelling, without a vehicle, around the farm which has gravelled paths. Unaided wheelchair users will not be able to travel around the farm, and aided wheelchair users may struggle at times. Those with impaired mobility will need to assess how confident they are walking on gravel paths and for short distances with frequent stops.
Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with impaired mobility, it involves walking a distance along the peninsula over uneven tussock ground before planting a native tree in the ground.
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.
When we are informed in advance about guests with limited mobility, we do our best to support their experience by assisting with boarding and providing guidance on suitable areas of each vessel. Both the TSS Earnslaw and the Spirit of Queenstown are boarded via ramps. However, it’s important to note that neither vessel is fully wheelchair accessible, and some limitations remain for guests with impaired mobility.
Below are the vessel descriptions based on accessibility:
TSS Earnslaw (vintage steamship:
Due to the heritage design of this historic steamship, there are multiple steps, narrow passageways, and raised thresholds throughout the vessel. Although boarding is via ramp, access between decks is via narrow stairs only. Guests with limited mobility may find movement around the vessel challenging.
Spirit of Queenstown (catamaran):
This modern catamaran is boarded via ramp. Guests need to navigate a sea sill to access the indoor café and seating area on the main deck. there is a small outdoor viewing area on the same level. Accessible bathroom facilities are not available onboard.
We recommend contacting our team in advance so we can provide the most up-to-date information and help determine the best option for your needs.
Our staff are trained to deal with incidents and in case of an emergency you should listen to their instructions. We have a portable defibrillator on each of our overnight cruise boats (Milford Mariner, Milford Wanderer and Fiordland Navigator).
In addition to this we also have portable defibrillators at the following locations:
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