Queenstown: Lake Cruise to Walter Peak Farm with BBQ Buffet

Name: Queenstown: Lake Cruise to Walter Peak Farm with BBQ Buffet
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 99.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.78 (82 reviews)

4.8 (82 verified reviews)

Grilled meats and vegetables resting on a griddle plate beside salads and a glass of white wine at Walter Peak

A chef in a Colonel's Homestead apron slicing rare beef beside the open wood-fired grill

A guest serving smoked salmon onto a plate of seafood and mussels at the Walter Peak buffet

Roast carrots being lifted onto a plate at the buffet, with flowers and condiments on the table behind

A dessert board of custards, berry slices and cakes on a wooden platter at the homestead

About This Experience

The catamaran-only version of the Walter Peak BBQ trip. You cross Lake Whakatipu on the Spirit of Queenstown — modern, fast to board, with a licensed bar and far more window than the steamship — then eat at the Colonel’s Homestead and watch the farm demonstration before the return leg.

Choosing this option over the vessel-of-your-choice listing does one useful thing: it removes the ambiguity. You know which boat you are on before you pay, and the catamaran is the better pick if you want a smooth, quiet crossing, step-free boarding or simply the shortest time between wharf and plate.

The food is identical to the steamship option — a wood-fired grill working through local meats, served buffet-style with salads, hot vegetables, fresh breads, New Zealand cheeses and a dessert table. Lunch and dinner sittings both run daily.

After eating, a rural host takes the group out for the farm demonstration: working dogs, sheep, and a walk through the farmyard. The lakeside gardens are worth the ten minutes before you re-board if your departure still has light in it.

Highlights

Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch or dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak
Cruise across Lake Whakatipu on a modern catamaran with a licensed bar
Savor the delicious aromas of local produce sizzling away on the grill
Watch an entertaining farm demonstration the whole family will enjoy
Admire the colonial architecture and sweeping grounds of the homestead

What's Included

✓ Delicious buffet lunch or dinner
✓ Farm demonstration
✓ Return cruise on Lake Whakatipu

Not Included

Drinks at the bar

What to Bring

Camera
Sunscreen
Comfortable clothes
Personal medication
Hat

Good to Know & Caveats

Arrive at the departure point 30 minutes before departure
During scheduled maintenance periods, alternative vessels may be used to cruise across the lake
Contact RealNZ before departure date if anyone in the booking has specific food allergies and the team will do their best to provide alternatives - thank you!

Meeting Point

Board the Spirit of Queenstown at Steamer Wharf, beside the RealNZ Queenstown Visitor Centre at 88 Beach Street. Check in 30 minutes before departure.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.8/5 by 82 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

I was able to enjoy a delicious buffet and see the Highland cattle, and I was satisfied many times over with the value for the price. There was a Japanese staff member who kindly explained things to me. I would like to go again if I have the opportunity.
— Daichi, June 15

Amazing day out. Boat super safe. Lunch was the best meal in Queesnstown.
— Marica, June 8,

Boat was very comfortable and great views. The farm is beautiful and the buffet was fantastic!! Go hungry! The farm show was fun and interesting.
— Rita, March 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Which boat does this option use?

The Spirit of Queenstown, a modern catamaran with indoor seating and a licensed bar. If you specifically want the 1912 steamship, book the TSS Earnslaw option instead.

Is the food different from the TSS Earnslaw BBQ option?

No. Both land at the same jetty and eat the same wood-fired buffet at the Colonel's Homestead. Only the crossing differs.

How early should I arrive?

Thirty minutes before departure. Steamer Wharf is a short walk from central Queenstown, and there is no parking at the wharf — leave the car at your accommodation or in a town car park.

Can the kitchen handle food allergies?

Contact RealNZ before your departure date with the details and the kitchen will do its best to provide alternatives. Tell them in advance rather than on the day — it is a buffet service.

Is lunch or dinner better?

Lunch gives you daylight for the gardens and the mountain views on both crossings. Dinner gives you the lake at dusk and a quieter homestead. In winter, an evening departure will be dark by the time you land.