Queenstown: Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience

Name: Queenstown: Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 99.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.85 (16 reviews)

4.8 (16 verified reviews)

Two guests sharing garden platters at a wooden table outside the Walter Peak garden shed

The TSS Earnslaw berthed below the Walter Peak lawn, seen through the homestead garden

A host and a guest tasting fresh produce inside the polytunnel in the Walter Peak restaurant garden

Two guests carrying native seedlings to a hillside planting site above Lake Whakatipu

A garden platter of breads, cheeses, dips and grilled vegetables on an outdoor table

About This Experience

The quietest thing on the Walter Peak timetable, and the one with the smallest footprint. You cross on the 1912 TSS Earnslaw, then spend your time at the station in the restaurant garden with a horticulturist rather than at the buffet or the amphitheatre.

The host walks you through the beds and the orchard that supply the kitchen, naming the native plantings along the way, and you sample produce straight off the plant. Lunch follows as shared garden platters built from what was harvested that morning.

The part that makes this listing different is the planting. Every guest puts a native tree or shrub into the ground as part of Walter Peak’s land-restoration project — a real job on the station, not a token gesture, and the tree stays.

It runs three and a half hours in total, including the two 45-minute crossings on the steamship. Book it if you would rather eat well and learn something than watch a demonstration.

Highlights

Become part of the reforestation project and plant a native tree or shrub
Learn about native wildlife and conservation in New Zealand
Share generous garden platters with ingredients just harvested during your visit
Cruise across Lake Whakatipu on the legendary 1912 Steamship, TSS Earnslaw
Explore our Restaurant Garden and watch produce go from garden to plate

What's Included

✓ Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak (and return) - Aboard TSS Earnslaw
✓ Tree or shrub to plant
✓ Lunch - generous garden platters
✓ Local rural host and horticulturist guide

Not Included

Drinks - can be purchased during experience

What to Bring

Camera
Sunscreen
Personal medication

Meeting Point

Meet at the TSS Earnslaw alongside Steamer Wharf, or at the RealNZ Visitor Centre at 88 Beach Street — a one-minute walk from the ship.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.8/5 by 16 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Fantastic experience, loved every aspect of this activity. TSS Earnslaw trip over and back was smooth. Interesting to watch the 2 guys as they shovelled coal into the burners and oiled machinery. Good views of scenery from front deck. On arrival Walter Pea, met by guide who spoke about history of the area, revegetation and sustainability focus of the gardens. We had a small group of 10, as most chose the farm option. So pleased we chose Garden experience. Fruit out of season so we each picked Tomato to taste and edible flower. We Then to superb afternoon tea, all made on site with mostly local produce. Breads, cheeses, olives, veggie dish, tasty condiments, etc and dessert bites. Water provided, alcohol available to purchase. Toilet stop before walking up dirt road (10 min walk) to plant tree/shrub we chose on garden walk. Wrote our names etc on cupboard plant protector and washed hands. Guide had pre-dug hole for us. Walked back to historic steamship Earnslaw for boarding.
— Julie, March 2

Amazing views from start to finish. The TSS Earnslaw Steamship was a lovely way to travel, followed by a tour of the orchard and vege/flower gardens. We were able to pick a few things to try straight from the trees/plants. The high tea - everything was so fresh and full of flavour! We also chose and planted a tree each. Definitely an all-round great experience!
— Jodie, March 1

The food was amazing and it was lovely to be able to plant a tree in this beautiful area. The boat is also really cool, you can go down and watch the workers make the engine run!
— Meg, Decembe

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "garden to table" actually mean here?

A horticulturist walks you through the restaurant garden and orchard that supply the Colonel's Homestead kitchen, you taste produce off the plant, and lunch is served as shared platters using what was harvested that day.

Do I really plant a tree?

Yes. Each guest plants a native tree or shrub as part of the station’s land-restoration project. The plant is provided and stays in the ground at Walter Peak.

Which boat does this use?

The TSS Earnslaw, the 1912 coal-fired steamship. The crossing is 45 minutes each way.

Is this a full lunch?

Yes — generous shared garden platters rather than a buffet line. Drinks are available to buy separately.

Is it suitable for children?

It suits older children who will engage with the garden and the planting. Younger children usually get more out of the farm tour, which is built around the animals and the working dogs.