Best Queenstown Cruises & Boat Tours: Which One Should You Choose?
TSS Earnslaw, the smaller Lake Wakatipu cruise, Walter Peak combinations and where a jet boat fits in — a straight comparison of Queenstown's boat options.
Lake Whakatipu stretches for around 80 kilometres through the mountains, and several very different boat trips leave from central Queenstown: a working steamship built in 1912, a smaller sightseeing cruise into quieter corners of the lake, a crossing to Walter Peak High Country Farm for the Gourmet BBQ or a farm tour, and — in a different category altogether — a high-speed jet boat. The right one depends less on which is “best” and more on what you want the boat trip to do.
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Queenstown cruises and boat tours at a glance
| Experience | Best for | Duration | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSS Earnslaw cruise | History, first-time visitors | ~90 min | US$70 |
| Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise (smaller boat) | Intimacy, a quieter route | ~90 min | US$46 |
| Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ | Food, couples, special occasions | ~3.5–4 hrs | US$99 |
| Walter Peak Farm Tour | Families, animals | ~3.5 hrs | US$82 |
| Walter Peak Horse Trek | Active travellers | ~3.5 hrs+ | US$164 |
| Walter Peak Garden to Table | Gardens, conservation | ~3.5 hrs | US$99 |
| Jet boat (e.g. KJet) | Speed and adrenaline | ~60 min | Not sold on this site |
Prices are this site’s own live GetYourGuide figures and can shift by date — check each listing before you book.
TSS Earnslaw or the smaller scenic cruise?
For most visitors the first decision is the boat itself. The TSS Earnslaw is a coal-fired steamship built in 1912, with an open engine room and the atmosphere of a working heritage vessel, not a modern tourist boat. The alternative most people compare it against is a smaller, more personal Lake Wakatipu cruise — quieter, cheaper, and built around commentary and the lakeshore instead of the ship itself. Our TSS Earnslaw versus Spirit of Queenstown guide covers the full comparison; the short version is that the Earnslaw suits a first visit and anyone drawn to the history, while a smaller modern boat suits anyone who mainly wants the scenery for less money.
The smaller Lake Wakatipu cruise
Best for: travellers who want a more personal, smaller-group cruise, and repeat Queenstown visitors who’ve already done Walter Peak.
This option runs a shorter, more intimate route than the Earnslaw or a Walter Peak crossing — through Queenstown Bay, past Kelvin Heights and the Frankton Arm and out to the Kawarau Falls Dam, without crossing the main lake to Walter Peak. It’s built around a smaller boat, closer commentary from the skipper and a relaxed pace, and it’s the cheapest of the main scenic options on this site at US$46 per person for about 90 minutes. It’s a good pick if you’ve already crossed to Walter Peak and want a second, different Lake Whakatipu cruise, or if a big steamship or a half-day commitment isn’t what you’re after. See the current listing for departure times.
Adding Walter Peak: BBQ, Farm Tour, Garden to Table or the horse trek
The boat trip becomes a half-day experience once you continue across the lake to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a Gourmet BBQ lunch or dinner, a Farm Tour with sheepdogs and animals, a quieter Garden to Table visit, or a horse trek into the high country. Instead of returning to the same wharf after 90 minutes, you land at a working farm, spend two to three hours there, and cruise back later — for couples and food-focused travellers the Gourmet BBQ is the strongest pairing, while families tend to get more from the Farm Tour. Our Walter Peak High Country Farm guide compares all four in full.
Where a jet boat fits in
A jet boat such as KJet belongs in a completely different category from any of the cruises above, and it isn’t sold through this site. Instead of scenery, commentary and a relaxed pace, it’s a high-speed run across the lake and into the Kawarau and Shotover rivers with sharp turns and spins — roughly an hour, built for adrenaline, not photography. If your idea of a good boat trip is speed and spray more than mountain views, that’s the experience to search for separately; it isn’t a substitute for a scenic cruise or a Walter Peak crossing, and the two work better as two different bookings on two different days than as alternatives to each other.
Which cruise for which traveller?
| Traveller | Our pick |
|---|---|
| First-time Queenstown visitor | TSS Earnslaw |
| Scenery on a budget | The smaller Lake Wakatipu cruise |
| Couple | Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ |
| Family with younger children | Walter Peak Farm Tour |
| Food lover | Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ |
| History lover | TSS Earnslaw |
| Active traveller | Walter Peak Horse Trek |
| Repeat Queenstown visitor | The smaller Lake Wakatipu cruise |
| Adrenaline seeker | A jet boat (booked separately) |
Morning, afternoon or evening?
There’s no universally best time. Morning suits crisp conditions, a quieter start and keeping the afternoon free, or pairing with Walter Peak lunch. Afternoon works if you have something else booked earlier or just want warmer conditions. Evening is mostly about what follows it — Walter Peak dinner, or wanting the cruise as your main evening activity — and Queenstown’s sunset time swings a long way between summer and winter, so don’t assume an evening departure means sunset views. The TSS Earnslaw evening cruise page sets out which sailings catch it.
Does the TSS Earnslaw run all year?
Normally, but not every single day — she has an annual maintenance period when Walter Peak crossings switch to a modern catamaran instead. If the historic ship herself is why you’re booking, check that she’s operating on your date before you pay; our TSS Earnslaw guide has more on her schedule.
What about rain?
Ordinary rain doesn’t rule out a Queenstown cruise — every main option has indoor seating, and the biggest loss in poor weather is visibility, not comfort, since low cloud can hide the higher peaks. If you’re picking something specifically for a wet day, the Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ holds up well because a large part of the experience happens indoors at the Homestead Restaurant.
Our take
Queenstown has enough boat options that choosing purely on price isn’t that useful — the experiences are too different from each other. For a first visit, start with the TSS Earnslaw: the historic steamship is an attraction you won’t easily find elsewhere. If the heritage angle doesn’t interest you, the smaller Lake Wakatipu cruise gives you a long scenic trip for less money. With half a day free, let the boat lead somewhere — continue to Walter Peak, pair it with the Gourmet BBQ if you’re travelling as a couple, or the Farm Tour if you’re bringing children. A jet boat is worth booking too, as its own separate activity alongside whichever cruise you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main Queenstown cruises?
The TSS Earnslaw and a smaller Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise are the two main sightseeing options. Walter Peak packages combine either boat with dining, a farm visit or another experience once you’re ashore.
What is the cheapest Queenstown lake cruise?
The smaller Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise, from US$46 per person for about 90 minutes.
How long are Queenstown lake cruises?
Cruise-only options run about 90 minutes. Add a Walter Peak experience and allow roughly 3.5 to 4 hours door to door.
Which cruise goes to Walter Peak?
Both the TSS Earnslaw and the modern catamaran used on Walter Peak departures make the crossing; the smaller Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise runs a different, shorter route and doesn’t call at Walter Peak.
Which cruise is best for children?
The Walter Peak Farm Tour, because it gives children animals and working sheepdogs to watch, not just scenery. The TSS Earnslaw’s engine room is also a strong pick for kids curious about machinery.
Is a jet boat a cruise?
No — it’s a high-speed adventure activity, not a scenic cruise, and it isn’t sold on this site. Book it separately if speed is what you’re after; it makes a good second activity alongside a relaxed cruise, not a replacement for one.
Can you cruise Lake Whakatipu in winter?
Yes, the main cruises run through winter, though individual sailings can be affected by weather and the TSS Earnslaw has its annual maintenance period.
Should I book the TSS Earnslaw or a Walter Peak package?
They aren’t exclusive. The Earnslaw can be the transport for a Walter Peak Farm Tour or Gourmet BBQ booking, so you get the historic ship and the time ashore in one trip.
Is Walter Peak worth adding to a Queenstown cruise?
If you have 3.5 to 4 hours free, yes — it turns a 90-minute sightseeing trip into a half-day excursion with a proper destination at the other end, rather than a return crossing to the same wharf.
Continue planning your Queenstown trip:
Cross the Lake. Eat by the Fire.
The Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ is rated 4.8/5 by more than 3,100 guests. A 45-minute crossing each way, a wood-fired buffet at the Colonel's Homestead, and a working farm demonstration — with free cancellation up to 24 hours before you sail.
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