Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

Name: Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 99.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.82 (3115 reviews)

4.8 (3,115 verified reviews)

Guests dining under festoon lights on the Colonel's Homestead terrace as the TSS Earnslaw lies at the Walter Peak jetty behind them

The Walter Peak BBQ buffet laid out — grilled local meats on a cast-iron plate surrounded by salads, charcuterie boards, breads and seafood

The TSS Earnslaw berthed at Walter Peak, framed by autumn foliage and the homestead's lakeside flower beds

A charcuterie board at Walter Peak with cured meats, blue cheese, walnuts and fresh bread on a dark slate table

The dessert table at the Colonel's Homestead — panna cotta, berries, cakes and preserves in small bowls

About This Experience

This is the Walter Peak trip most visitors mean when they say "the BBQ cruise": a 45-minute crossing of Lake Whakatipu, a wood-fired buffet at the Colonel's Homestead, a farm demonstration on the lawn, and the same 45 minutes back. Three and a half hours door to door, and the only way to reach Walter Peak Station — there is no road in.

You choose your vessel at booking, and it is the choice that changes the day. The TSS Earnslaw is a coal-fired steamship launched in 1912, still burning coal into open fireboxes you can stand and watch; the Spirit of Queenstown is a modern catamaran that is quieter, faster to load and has more glass. Both cross the same water and both land at the same jetty.

At the homestead the grill is the point. Local meats come off a wood-fired BBQ alongside salads, hot vegetables, breads and a long dessert table with New Zealand cheeses. It is a buffet, served in a colonial dining room that looks straight back down the lake at the Remarkables, and you eat at your own pace rather than to a set menu.

After the meal a rural host runs the farm demonstration — working dogs moving sheep in the amphitheatre, then the animals up close, including Scottish Highland cattle and red deer. If your departure leaves daylight, the lakeside gardens are open to walk before you re-board. Evening departures do not: book a midday or afternoon slot if seeing the farm in daylight matters to you.

Highlights

Take a return cruise across scenic Lake Whakatipu on your vessel of choice
Enjoy a gourmet BBQ buffet made from local and homegrown produce
Dine lakeside on the shore of Walter Peak High Country Farm
Enjoy a skilful farm dog show about life on a working farm
Savor morning or afternoon tea at the charming old woolshed on the farm

What's Included

✓ Round-trip cruise across the lake and back to Queenstown
✓ Gourmet BBQ lunch or dinner
✓ Farm demonstration
✓ Commentary onboard

Not Included

Drinks

What to Bring

Warm clothing
Sunglasses
Camera
Sunscreen
Jacket
Weather-appropriate clothing

Good to Know & Caveats

Cruise is subject to favorable weather conditions; if canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or a full refund
Non-slip shoes are recommended
If you require more information on wheelchair accessibility both on the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak farm, please do not hesitate to ask
Suitable for all ages
Our vessels are cash free and we reserve the right to refuse cash as a means of payment when purchasing products or services
Both vessels will undergo scheduled maintenance in each year

Meeting Point

Board at the RealNZ Queenstown Visitor Centre on Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street. Your vessel — the TSS Earnslaw or the Spirit of Queenstown — berths a minute away; check the exact berth on your voucher, because it changes with the option you book. Arrive 30 minutes before departure.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.8/5 by 3,115 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

The activity was absolutely fantastic! Everything from the cruise and stunning views to the delicious food and overall experience was amazing. We had such a great time and thoroughly enjoyed every moment!
— Joisa, Septemb

Loved it, the boat ride was beautiful, food was incredible and the show was really insightful as well. Only thing doing the 5pm booking was it did get dark relatively quickly once we arrived at Walter peak station so after you ate you couldn’t really explore that much - if you wanted to view things on the way to / from Queenstown I’d suggest an earlier trip but we loved it as we were in a food coma by the end and was a lovely end to the night !
— Chloe, Septemb

Perfect! Amazing food, boat history and spectacular views on the way to the farm.
— Daniel, Septemb

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Walter Peak BBQ cruise take?

Three and a half hours in total — roughly 45 minutes across Lake Whakatipu, about two hours at Walter Peak for the buffet and the farm demonstration, and 45 minutes back to Queenstown.

Can I choose between the TSS Earnslaw and the Spirit of Queenstown?

Yes. The vessel is part of the booking option, not a day-of choice. The 1912 steamship TSS Earnslaw is the heritage crossing; the Spirit of Queenstown is the modern catamaran. Pick the option that names the vessel you want before you pay.

Is the BBQ a set menu or a buffet?

A buffet. Local meats are cooked on a wood-fired grill and served with salads, hot vegetables, breads, cheeses and desserts. You serve yourself and go back as often as you like within your sitting.

Are drinks included?

No. There is a licensed bar on board and at the homestead, but drinks are paid for separately. Both vessels are cashless, so bring a card.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise runs in most conditions, but if RealNZ cancels for weather you are offered an alternative date or a full refund. Free cancellation also applies up to 24 hours before departure if you change your own plans.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes — it is one of the most family-friendly things to do in Queenstown. The farm demonstration is built around the working dogs and the animals, and the crossing is short enough that younger children stay interested.