Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining

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 gourmet buffet BBQ lunch or dinner 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 (see comparison table below).
• Note: Menu items are subject to change based on the chef's discretion and seasonal availability
• The TSS Earnslaw and Spriti of Queenstown are 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 & 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
Vessel Type	Historic twin-screw steamship launched in 1912 (300 person capacity).	Modern catamaran designed for contemporary cruising (140 person capacity)
Price	Adult from $189, Child from $95	Adult from $149, Child from $75
Travel Time	Takes approximately 45 minutes to reach Walter Peak from Queenstown, offering plenty of time to soak in the stunning alpine scenery.	Faster travel time of approximately 30 minutes. Arrives earlier and departs later than the TSS Earnslaw, offering extra time to explore Walter Peak.
Accessibility	The historic design may pose challenges for families with prams or guests with mobility needs.	Designed with accessibility in mind. Easier for families with prams, older guests, and those with mobility limitations.
Cruise Experience	Step aboard the historic "Lady of the Lake," a cherished piece of Queenstown's heritage and the only hand-fired, commercial steamship still operating in the southern hemisphere. Enjoy a nostalgic journey featuring views of the engine room and fascinating historical displays.	Modern catamaran with spacious outdoor decks and panoramic windows, offering breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, and the Southern Alps. Enjoy informative commentary on the region's rich history, geology, and wildlife throughout the journey.

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.