Walter Peak High Country Farm Tour and Cruise from Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand

Experience rural New Zealand as you're taken on a walking tour of the farm. Learn about traditional farming practices and the significance of the various animals. Watch sheep dogs in action, see the shearing and maybe try your hand at spinning wool. Then stroll through the lakeside gardens to the Colonel's Homestead for a traditional morning or afternoon tea.

Join a scenic cruise to Walter Peak on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, departing from Queenstown. The original steam engines can be seen in operation from the open viewing area. During the cruise, the ship's pianist entertains with a variety of old favorites and you are encouraged to join in sing-a-long around the piano! You can also visit the Focsle Museum, steeped in the history of the TSS Earnslaw. Complimentary tea and coffee are provided on the cruise and delicious cafe style food can be purchased.

Upon arrival at the Colonel's Homestead, treat yourself to some home baked goodies including cheese scones and piklets topped with berry jam and cream as well as tea and coffee while admiring the surrounding views of the lake and mountains. Next you can choose to take a wander through the beautiful lakeside gardens.

Included in your visit to Walter Peak is a farmyard walking tour, viewing the livestock including sheep, highland cattle, deer and goats. Your hosts will work the sheep dogs and explain high country mustering practices, plus a demonstration on the art of wool spinning. After your farm tour, return to Queenstown across the lake aboard the TSS Earnslaw.

This South Island tourism operator was recognised as one of the highest achievers at the 2007 New Zealand Tourism Industry Awards. A company delivering quality products winning the Conservation in Action Award and the Qualmark Mark of Quality Award.

USD $57.23

Review by: Alison H Drain	March 2012
We were looking for a light sight-seeing day and this fit the bill perfectly! It was great fun watching how the dogs round up the sheep, and interesting to see the sheep shorn. We had tea in the main house and found the entire experience to be very worthwhile.

Review by: Lee B	January 2012
Great day out! The history of the steam ship is very interesting. The visit to the farm was a lot of fun. Very enjoyable!

Review by: Peter	January 2012
Queenstown is a place everyone would like to retire to. The scenery is so magnificent and breath taking. The Walter Peak Farm Tour and Cruise is a wonderful way to spend time exploring the further beauty of this great destination. The expert commentary provide by Peter, our guide on arrival at the homestead was very informative and interesting.

Review by: Graham E	December 2011
Earnshaw boat trip really nostalgic and well preserved. Farm trip great for kids, less interesting for adults on their own.

Review by: abelle	December 2011
Very nice farm with the beautiful lake views

Review by: Primrose M	May 2011
A nice half day trip! A good experience to board the steamship. The farm tour was good and the tea was tasty. Recommended!

Review by: Lynette K	April 2011
We enjoyed the trip to Walter Peak very much. The Host was very enteraining and with a great sence of humor it made the day.

Review by: Vivian B	March 2011
A good trip and interesting to see the sheep shearing. The Earnslaw was an amazing boat and so well preserved.

Review by: PETER N	January 2011
Short, sweet and interesting. Recommends as a fun filled half day adventure for adults and families as well.

Review by: Sok Teng T	December 2010
Price for the whole programme was reasonable. Cruise was great with the awesome weather on the day. The live piano performance on board was appreciated. The morning tea at the homestead on Walter Peak was served very well with a highly pleasant view of the nice garden and lake outside. The farm show introduced by the friendly guide was good too.

Review by: Patrick C	December 2010
This is a great half-day trip. The TSS Earnslaw has a colorful past that was shared by onboard tour guide. After reaching the farm, we ate a delicious barbecue lunch. Then, we were treated to a working sheepdog demonstration and a sheep shearing by Lindsay. Very informative and worth the money.

Review by: mercedes	November 2010
spectacular! very well organized and informative. great afternoon tea supplied in what was once a wonderful home. would do it all again.

Review by: Suzanne B, Australia	October 2009
My third visit to Walter Peak and still a delightful experience! The trip across the lake is very picturesque and the time at the farm is well spent with getting an insight into the workings of a sheep property. The hospitality of the ladies that provided such a wonderful afternoon tea was a highlight of the trip for my friend and I.

Review by: Charles B, Australia	October 2009
The visit the farm was very interesting and perfect for children, as they get to be "up close and personal" with a range of farm animals. The sheep shearing demonstration and sheep dog mustering was very interesting for adults and children alike. The cruise on the lake is very relaxing and gives you a chance to take in the magnificent landscape. There is perhaps too much "down time" with about 45 minutes or more, put aside for tea/coffee and some fairly ordinary cakes. This could be put to better use.

Review by: Suzanne	October 2009
My third visit to Walter Peak and still a delightful experience! The trip across the lake is very picturesque and the time at the farm is well spent with getting an insight into the workings of a sheep property. The hospitality of the ladies that provided such a wonderful afternoon tea was a highlight of the trip for my friend and I.

Review by: Hugo G, United Kingdom	August 2009
Not the most exciting tour this one. The steamship journey is nice and the afternoon tea is good but the farm did not really feel authentic as it is too touristy!

Review by: HUGO G	August 2009
Not the most exciting tour this one. The steamship journey is nice and the afternoon tea is good but the farm did not really feel authentic as it is too touristy!

Review by: Michelle F, Australia	July 2009
An excellent tour! I enjoyed the pianist playing on the boat on the way over. The sheep dog was amazing, the food was excellent, and it was good value for money and excellent for children too. My daughter loved all the animals!

Review by: Neville C, Australia	February 2008
The cruise was very interesting and relaxing. Lunch at Walter Peak Country Farm, sitting in the gardens to a delicious BBQ and magnificent views, was spectacular.

Review by: Sandy R, Australia	June 2007
Highly recommended.

Review by: Lucinda M, United States of America	August 2006
I was definitely disappointed by not being able to go on the SS Earnslaw. Viator should have told us it was in dry dock. However, Viator did acknowledge that oversight._br/_Walter Peak farm would be a great place to take children to see the dogs work the sheep and enjoy a wonderful 'tea.' I had a great afternoon there!

Review by: Wilhelmina K, United States of America	August 2006
This is worth doing. I was not lucky enough to have the steamship as it was in dry dock. However, Viator did give me a partial refund because I didn't get what was offered. They were great about this. It's a good company to deal with.