Real Journeys TSS Earnslaw Steamship & Walter Peak Farm Cruise

TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruises – Lake Wakatipu

Our family business was founded in Fiordland in the 1950’s by tourism and conservation pioneers Les and Olive Hutchins. Today we offer experiences on Stewart Island, cruises on Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and in Queenstown our heritage steamship TSS Earnslaw with activities at Walter Peak and gourmet dining at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant.

Over sixty years later, our aim is to share the natural heritage and astounding beauty of the region with visitors – just as our founders intended.

Cruises aboard the 104 years old TSS Earnslaw depart regularly throughout the day. You can choose to do a cruise, or a cruise, combined with a visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a guided farm tour, horse trek, guided cycle ride, barbecue lunch or evening dining.

We’re passionate about sharing this stunning part of New Zealand with the world.

Which is why we’ve developed a range of experiences for you to choose from

TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruises

Duration: 1 hour 30 mins
Price: From $70 per adult – Child $30 – Infant 0 to 4 Free
Departs: Various times

Enjoy Queenstown’s stunning scenic beauty on a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on board a vintage steamship launched in 1912. The leisurely 90 minute cruise across the lake showcases some of Queenstown’s spectacular alpine scenery while offering you plenty of time to explore a piece of Queenstown’s living history.

You can visit the engine room and see its giant steam engines at work, view the collection of historical photos in our mini-museum, check out the bridge or even join a sing-along with the pianist. Or if you’d much rather, kick back and enjoy a wine or beer or some café-style food at our on-board Promenade Café and Bar.

Walter Peak High Country Farm Tours

Duration: 3 hour 30 mins
Price: From $95 per adult – Child $35 – Infant 0 to 4 Free
Departs: Various times (Includes a scenic cruise on board the vintage TSS Earnslaw to the farm)

Experience New Zealand’s farming life at Queenstown’s Walter Peak High Country Farm on the western shores of Lake Wakatipu.

The farm is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few hours and a family interactive experience Our host & farmer will take you for a walking tour of the farmyard. The first stop is the holding pens, where you can help feed the sheep and deer, and even get up close to the Scottish Highland Cattle. Then stroll through the lakeside gardens to the charming Colonel’s Homestead for morning or afternoon tea. Then it’s over to the shearing shed where you can watch the farm dogs rounding up sheep from the hill paddocks, and see the farmer shear a sheep. You will then board the TSS Earnslaw for your cruise back to Queenstown.

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch

Duration: 1 hour 30 mins
Price: From $125 per adult – Child $50 – Infant 0 to 4 Free
Departs: Various times

Dinner with a difference – a vintage steamship lake cruise, gourmet BBQ dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant and afterwards a farm demo and time to visit the gift shop.

Your lunch starts with a cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw across to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Once there, you can sit back on the lakeside terrace of the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant and savour the delicious aromas as our chef has the best of local produce, sizzling away on the grill.

Walter Peak Gourmet Barbecue Dinner

Duration: approx 4 hours
Price: From $145 per adult – Child $70 – Infant 0 to 4 Free
Departs: 4 pm or 8pm depending on season (August to May)

Dinner with a difference – a vintage steamship lake cruise, gourmet BBQ dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant and afterwards a farm demo and time to visit the gift shop.

Relax in the unique ambience of the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, the heart of the stately homestead at Walter Peak. Here, you’ll enjoy a Gourmet BBQ dinner which includes an expansive array of New Zealand and local produce, from succulent meats cooked on the outdoor rotisserie or grill, a selection of delicious vegetables and salads. Then finish your meal with our irresistible desserts, New Zealand cheeses and freshly brewed tea & coffee.

Your night-time cruise home, you can enjoy the camaraderie of a sing-a-long with the ship’s pianist or breathe in the fresh night air on the moonlit decks as you watch the lights of Queenstown draw nearer.

Walter Peak Horse Treks

Duration: 3 hour 30 mins
Price: From $133 per adult – Child $80 (Minimum age 7 years)
Departs: Various times (September to April)

Enjoy Queenstown’s stunning scenery on a lake cruise on board the TSS Earnslaw, then a relaxing horse trek at Walter Peak and return to the farm for morning/afternoon tea.

This 40 minute trek takes you across beautiful rolling terraces to a lookout with spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. The riding is easy, picturesque and suitable for even first-time riders.

There’s time to explore the glorious gardens and farmyard before heading back to Queenstown.

Walter Peak Electric Trail Bikes

Duration: 3 hour 30 mins
Price: From $159 per adult – Child $159 (Mimimum age 13 years)
Suitable for those able to ride a mountain bike comfortably
Departs: 10am, 12noon & 2pm Oct – Apr (from May – Sep, minimum numbers apply)

Explore and enjoy the rugged back country terrain at Walter Peak High Country Farm on our electric trail bikes. Return lake cruise and light refreshments included.

This unique experience is exciting and provides a fun, low impact activity in peaceful and stunning surroundings. You will be guided through gentle rolling farmland, then climb “The Hill” and take in the views of the Colonel’s Homestead and beautiful Lake Wakatipu below. Then ride the undulating tracks towards the lakeside peninsula at Beach Point reserve. Here there is a stop for refreshments and time for you to learn about the history of Walter Peak and high country farming

Walter Peak independant Cycling Trail

Duration: At your leisure
Price: From $76 per adult
Departs: everyday

Embark on a cycling adventure from Walter Peak amidst spectacular quiet back country roads. This day trip includes guide, a TSS Earnslaw cruise, picnic lunch and afternoon tea. 2 – 3 hours leisurely cycling (15-35 kms depending on fitness)

Disembarking at Walter Peak High Country Farm you’ll follow the magnificent shoreline of Lake Wakatipu before turning inland to explore vast tussock valleys. The scenery changes again as you reach the rainforest fringed Mavora Lakes where several Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed. The surroundings are stunning, and while the trails are on public road, the area is very remote.

Stop for a picnic lunch at a musterer’s hut and return to the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant in time for a well-deserved and hearty afternoon tea.

Real Journeys also provide a coach and cruise tours to Milford Sound, Combine a cruise (day or overnight) on Milford Sound with a drive through spectacular alpine roads in our luxury coaches. MORE INFORMATION.

Coach tours to Doubtful Sound. Let us take you to Manapouri to join your Doubtful Sound cruise (day or overnight) onboard one of our coaches. MORE INFORMATION.