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Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining

One of the best things to do in Queenstown is discover its ultimate dining destination, Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Secluded across Lake Whakatipu, your long lunch or dinner awaits at Walter Peak’s Homestead Restaurant, a restored colonial building stationed on elegant sweeping grounds.

  • Lunch or dinner buffet of local and homegrown produce at the Homestead Restaurant
  • Lakeside dining on the shore of Walter Peak High Country Farm, with views of vibrant Queenstown
  • Return scenic cruise across Lake Whakatipu on your vessel of choice. If you would like to sail onboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, make sure you select the 'vintage steamship' option when booking
  • Dinner and a show: relax after dessert with a skilful farm dog show
  • Duration: 3 hours 30 mins - 4 hours

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

Cruise 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 to/from Walter Peak High Country Farm. You will be able to select your vessel style when you book. 
  • Note: Menu items are subject to change based on chef's discretion and seasonal availability
  • The TSS Earnslaw is cash free and we reserve the right to refuse cash as a means of payment when purchasing products or services.

Extra Information

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

Departure Location

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.


What to bring

  • Shoes/boots (non-slip)
  • Warm clothing/jacket
  • Sunscreen/sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Personal medication including for asthma and allergies
TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship docked in Queenstown

TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship, 1912


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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About Walter Peak High Country Farm

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 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.

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RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak BBQ Dining

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