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Queenstown Tickets

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch Tickets & Cruise

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Top things to do in Queenstown

TSS Earnslaw cruising on Lake Wakatipu with Walter Peak in the background.

TSS Earnslaw Cruises and Walter Peak Tickets

from

NZ$79

Jet boat with tourists on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, with Remarkables mountain range in background.

Queenstown Jet Boating

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NZ$149

Walter Peak Farm lunch experience: Quick overview

  • The complete experience: Includes TSS Earnslaw return cruise, Colonel’s Homestead gourmet BBQ lunch, and high-country farm demonstration.
  • Timing choices: Select between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM departures daily from Steamer Wharf.
  • Scenic transit: Enjoy a 45-minute lake crossing each way across Lake Whakatipu.
  • The culinary highlight: Wood-fired roasts, fresh local salads, and signature sticky date pudding.
  • High-country farm show: Live sheepdog herding and traditional hand-blade sheep shearing after lunch.
  • When to book: High-demand experience year-round; book 3–5 days ahead during peak season.

Which Walter Peak Lunch departure is best for you?

Departure SlotScheduleWhat it feels likeBest for

11am departure

Departs 11am, returns ~2:30pm

High midday sun, maximum lake visibility for photos

Families and guests wanting their afternoon free for other activities

1pm departure

Departs 1pm, returns ~4:30pm

Relaxed afternoon light across Cecil Peak and grounds

Leisurely diners preferring a late-morning start

What to expect at Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch

TSS Earnslaw docked at Queenstown Wharf with mountains in the background.
1/5

The steamship crossing

Board the 1912 TSS Earnslaw at Steamer Wharf for a 45-minute cruise across Lake Whakatipu. Peer into the open engine gallery to watch stokers shovel coal into glowing furnace mouths.

Lakeside dining feast

Disembark at Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant for an all-you-can-eat wood-fired feast. Enjoy Merino lamb, pork belly with crackling, Southland beef, artisanal salads, and sticky date pudding.

High-country farm show

Gather at the outdoor rural amphitheater to watch working farm dogs herd sheep on whistle commands, followed by a live hand-blade shearing demonstration in the woolshed.

Animal encounters

Walk along paddock fences to hand-feed Highland cows, Romney sheep, deer, and alpacas before strolling through the lakeside gardens.

Musical return

Relax on the return sailing as an onboard pianist leads traditional group singalongs around the vintage saloon piano.

Things to know before booking your tickets to Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch

  • Booking window: Lunch sailings are high-demand year-round and frequently sell out 3–5 days in advance during summer and school holidays. Reserve early to secure your preferred departure time.
  • Entry & timing: Cruises depart strictly on time from Steamer Wharf in central Queenstown. Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes prior to boarding.
  • What’s included: Every ticket includes the 90-minute round-trip scenic cruise, the full gourmet BBQ lunch buffet at Colonel’s Homestead, and the farm dog and sheep shearing demonstration.
  • Winter vessel substitution: During annual vessel maintenance (typically May to July), transit operates via the modern passenger catamaran Spirit of Queenstown.
  • Dietary options: Vegetarian, plant-based, and gluten-free diners are accommodated with labeled grain salads, roasted vegetables, and naturally gluten-free meats and desserts. Dedicated vegan meals can be prepared with advance notice.
  • Payments & add-ons: Tea, coffee, and water are included with lunch. Central Otago wines and craft beers can be purchased separately at the bar via cashless payment.
  • Intensity & suitability guide
    • Visual environment: Bright outdoor daylight across glacial waters and open high-country pastures.
    • Audio dynamics: Deep steam whistle blasts, engine room thrumming, barking farm dogs, and saloon piano music.
    • Terrain & movement: Flat ship decks with narrow stairs to engine holds; packed gravel and dirt paths across farm grounds.
    • Pacing: Fixed boat transit and farm show schedule paired with a self-paced dining duration.
    • Age suitability: Highly family-friendly; livestock feeding and farm dog shows engage children of all ages.
    • Sensory factors: Nostalgic coal smoke and warm engine oil aromas near the ship's engine gallery.

Plan your Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch

  • Departures: Daily at 11:am and 1pm
  • Total duration: 3.5 to 4 hours.
  • Best time to visit: The 11am slot offers optimal daylight for garden walks and leaves late afternoons open.
TSS Earnslaw docked at Queenstown Wharf with mountains in the background.
  • Address: Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street, Queenstown CBD | Find on maps
  • Directions: Short walk from central Queenstown hotels. Paid street and garage parking are available in Queenstown town center.
Plan your cruise
  • TSS Earnslaw: Gangway access to the main saloon is available, but narrow stairs lead to lower engine galleries.
  • Spirit of Queenstown (Winter Catamaran): Full wheelchair ramp accessibility across the main deck.
  • Farm grounds: Pathways consist of packed dirt and gravel; flat, sturdy footwear is recommended.
  • Buffet menu: Wood-fired Merino lamb, pork belly, beef cuts, local seafood, seasonal salads, and sticky date pudding.
  • Beverages: Tea, coffee, and water are included. Central Otago Pinot Noir, local craft beers, and soft drinks are sold at the bar.

Tips & guidelines

  • Arrive at Steamer Wharf 15–20 minutes before departure for seamless gangway boarding.
  • Visit the engine room gallery immediately after boarding the TSS Earnslaw for prime views of the coal stokers.
  • At the buffet, enjoy antipasto and salads first while initial queue lines at the carvery station disperse.
  • Wear flat, closed-toe walking shoes to comfortably navigate ship decks and farm gravel paths.
  • Bring an outer jacket, as mountain breezes across Lake Whakatipu can feel chilly on open decks.

Frequently asked questions about Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch tickets

Your ticket covers the round-trip Lake Whakatipu cruise, gourmet BBQ buffet lunch at Colonel’s Homestead, and the high-country farm show.