Planning a Queenstown trip and considering the TSS Earnslaw lake cruise and a Walter Peak Farm visit? Here’s all you need to know about this quintessential Queenstown experience.
If you’re planning out your Queenstown itinerary, the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm are probably already on your radar. This vintage steamship cruise and authentic farm experience are iconic Queenstown attractions, but are they worth the hype?
There’s plenty to see, do and experience in this corner of the South Island, and you want to make sure your precious spending money is being used wisely. I totally get it!
Having visited Queenstown myself more times than I can count, I’ve ticked off pretty much every Queenstown day trip you can think of, from wine tours to autumnal Arrowtown adventures to scenic flights and everything in between. On my most recent trip I finally got to try out the historical TSS Earnslaw and an incredible eco experience at Walter Peak Farm, and it was so cool to see a different side of the lake (literally!).
While every traveller is going to have different priorities and preferences, a Lake Wakatipu cruise is an absolute must-do, and Walter Peak Farm honestly has something for everyone. This combo makes it a no-brainer for most Queenstown visitors.
Let’s unpack all you need to know about the TSS Earnslaw, the Walter Peak Farm and experiences, and if this is a worthwhile addition to your own QT adventure.
Sponsored disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with the legends at RealNZ. I carefully select the tourism companies I partner with and I only recommend experiences that I truly loved. Thank you for supporting me!
Quick summary: Are the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm worth it?
Don’t have time to read the full post? I’ve got you!
Like any travel experience, whether these trips are worth it will totally depend on your travel style, budget and timeframe, but here’s a simple guide to who the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm visit are best suited to.
The TSS Earnslaw is great for:
✅ Short and sweet Queenstown visits (you can just do a lake cruise without the farm stop)
✅ Those who love a dash of history and vintage charm in your travels
✅ Families with kids who will love seeing the steam engine at work
✅ Engineering nerds 🤓
✅ Photographers keen to get incredible lake and mountain shots from the water
And a stop at Walter Peak Farm (which includes a TSS Earnslaw transfer) is ideal for:
✅ Animal lovers who want to get up close with friendly farm critters (choose the farm tour)
✅ Anyone wanting a taste of the rural life without straying too far from the comforts of Queenstown
✅ Travellers interested in conservation and sustainable tourism (try out the eco experience)
✅ Foodies looking for a hearty meal with a view (the Gourmet BBQ is right up your alley)
✅ Experienced cyclists (there’s a self-guided bike option to let you explore quiet backcountry trails)
All about the TSS Earnslaw
What is the TSS Earnslaw?
Lovingly known as the Lady of the Lake, the TSS Earnslaw is a 51.2m steamboat powered by two mighty steam engines (which you can see in action). At over a century old, she’s the last remaining passenger-carrying steamship in the southern hemisphere. Imagine all the stories those decks could tell!
P.S. In the process of writing this blog post I learnt that ‘TSS’ stands for ‘Twin Screw Steamer’. Who knew!?
The history of the TSS Earnslaw
The Earnslaw was built in 1912, originally constructed in Dunedin before being dismantled, moved to Kingston and put together again for her first job as a cargo ship servicing the local high country stations. She was a lifeline for the remote farmsteads along Lake Wakatipu’s shores, carrying sheep, cattle, farm workers and essential supplies.
With the improvement of roading and infrastructure in the 1960s, the Earnslaw become less essential for transport, and she was pretty close to being scrapped before passionate locals stepped in to save this iconic piece of Queenstown history.
Les and Olive Hutchins are tourism pioneers who were a part of this community effort, and they took on the daunting task of restoring the boat to run tourist trips on the stunning lake under their family-owned company Fiordland Travel (which became Real Journeys and is now called RealNZ).
Since 1969, the Earnslaw has been ferrying sightseers across Wakatipu year-round, except for annual maintenance periods where she gets a check up and tune up. She is more than 100 years old, after all!
She’s hosted some pretty impressive figures during her time, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 1990, Bill Clinton in 1999, and the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and she was even featured in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
What is a TSS Earnslaw cruise like?
When you board the TSS Earnslaw at Queenstown’s Steamer Wharf, you’re taking a step back in time to a bygone era of steamship travel. The ship has been meticulously restored, making this living piece of history much more than just a scenic cruise.
Settle in for the trip with a hot drink from Promenade Cafe, or go for a wine, beer or juice if that’s more your vibe. There are sweet and savoury food options available, with cakes, muffins and slices from $4-6 or heartier dishes like big sandwiches from $12-15.
Pop out onto the front deck to feel the breeze in your hair and marvel at the mountains that flank the lake, just be sure to take a jacket year-round (it can get chilly even in summer) and a beanie in the colder months.
And don’t leave the TSS without taking a peek at her engine room, where you can witness the stokers shovelling coal and see the 250 horse power engines at work.
When the TSS Earnslaw arrives at the other side of the lake, the Walter Peak Farm day trippers will disembark for their farm adventures. If you’re just doing the return lake cruise you’ll stay on the boat and start your way back to Queenstown shortly, it’s a total of 1.5 hours round trip.
Is the TSS Earnslaw busy?
The TSS Earnslaw is (unsurprisingly) a super popular Queenstown experience, so you should expect to be sharing the boat with many fellow travellers especially on weekends and school holidays.
Take the first boat of the day to try and avoid the peak crowds, or try to visit mid-week or in the shoulder season if you can.
So is the TSS Earnshaw worth it?
I personally think the TSS Earnslaw is worth it, particular for:
- Travellers with an interest in history and/or engineering
- Travellers looking for a relaxing way to see more of Queenstown’s scenery
- Families with kids, they’ll get a kick out of the engine room!
- Photographers to get 360 degree views of the lake and surrounding mountains
- Older travellers or travellers with accessibility needs looking for a comfortable scenic trip (the ship is wheelchair accessible but doesn’t have accessible toilets)
- Anyone that needs to fill a couple of hours in Queenstown (just do the return lake cruise)
As Queenstown goes it’s an affordable way to see the lake and mountains on an organised trip, no need to drive, no need to navigate, no need to do anything other than soak up the scenery.
And if you’re heading over to Walter Peak Farm (more info on that below), you’ll get a ride on the TSS Earnslaw as part of your trip!
How to book the TSS Earnslaw
It’s best to book online in advance to secure your spot, you can book your tickets on the RealNZ website.
All about Walter Peak High Country Farm
What is Walter Peak High Country Farm?
Walter Peak Farm is a working farm that offers tourists a glimpse into authentic rural life in a high country setting, with the added bonus of panoramic mountain and lake views. Dreamy!
Where is Walter Peak High Country Farm?
Walter Peak Farm is tucked between Lake Wakatipu and Walter Peak, just a 30-40 minute cruise from Queenstown.
The history of Walter Peak Farm
The earliest evidence of settlements at Walter Peak date back to the late 1700s, with underground ovens and animal bones suggesting that local Māori used the Walter Peak area as a temporary stopping off point during their exploration of the Wakatipu region.
Fast forward to the late 1850s and there was a coin toss between two European settlers to see who would get Queenstown and who would get Walter Peak Station. Now that’s a good Would You Rather… travel question! Which one would you choose?
A man named Nicholas Von Tunzelman got the wrong side of the coin and set up his home at what is now known as Walter Peak Farm, while the other guy, William Rees, profited immensely from Queenstown’s flourishing Gold Rush and easier access to the region’s resources.
Fun fact: Rees is considered as the founder of Queenstown, you might recognise the family name from the fancy Rees Hotel on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. The suburb of Frankton was named after his wife Frances, and the mountains Cecil Peak and Walter Peak itself were named after his son, Cecil Walter Rees.
While Walter Peak these days is a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown, 150 years ago it had near impossible farming conditions and was too expensive to run, resulting in Von Tunzelman admitting defeat.
In the late 1880s, the farm found new owners in the Mackenzie family, who poured time, effort and money into transforming the failed farm into a successful operation. They spent 80 years tending to the land and stock (up to 40,000 sheep at a time!), and built the famous Colonel Homestead an 1908. The homestead was damaged by a fire in the 1970s but was restored to what you see today.
Skip ahead again and Walter Peak High Country Farm became the perfect place for a rural tourism experience with easy access from Queenstown, thanks to the TSS Earnslaw and the region’s ever-growing popularity.
These days RealNZ runs Walter Peak Farm, a 155 hectare property which provides various experiences to travellers wanting to get a taste of the rural life, as well as operating as an actual farm with sheep, cattle, pigs, donkeys and more.
What can you do at Walter Peak Farm?
So much! There are a variety of tours and activities to choose from depending on what you’re into.
- Farm tours: A family-friendly hands-on tour of the farm’s operations, including the opportunity to feed sheep, deer, cattle and alpacas, a delicious afternoon tea (for the humans!) and a sheepdog demonstration.
- Horse treks: The perfect way to enjoy the magical scenery of the lake and mountains, with a 40 minute horseback ride, morning/afternoon tea and time to explore the gardens. No experience necessary but kids must be 7 or older and at least 120cm tall.
- Gourmet BBQ: Hungry? Hope so, because this buffet BBQ experience serves up an absolute feast in the Colonel’s Homestead, with an impressive selection of meats, veggies, salads, breads and sweet treats at the end.
- Cycle: If you’re a keen cyclist and just want to get amongst the dramatic mountain scenery far from other riders, there’s an option to book an independent cycling trip at Walter Peak which includes a bike transfer and cruise on the TSS Earnslaw. This one is for experienced cyclists only, there’s no infrastructure on the trails so you’ll need to bring your own food, drink and appropriate clothing.
And there’s also the eco experience, which I can explain in a bit more detail because I did it myself!
I took my mum on this with me and we both loved it, her from a gardening perspective and me from a sustainable tourism perspective.
We began with a tour around the homestead’s gorgeous gardens and newly established Restaurant Garden, which helps Walter Peak Farm reduce their carbon footprint by growing product on-site rather than importing everything they cook with. I honestly came away desperate to build my own veggie garden at home (though mine could never be this good haha, and also I don’t have a home 🙃).
We got to try a bit of the garden’s goodness, some ultra-sweet peas and delicious honey made from the on-site hives, and said hello to some of the locals:
This is Pandora the donkey, and the kunekune pig is either Peaches or Peanut, I can’t remember how to tell the difference haha.
After the garden tour we got the chance to get our hands dirty with some native tree planting. There were a range of trees to choose from, all selected based on the positive impact they’ll have on the land, and what a special way for travellers to make their mark on an incredible destination.
The experience wrapped up with an afternoon tea of freshly-baked finger foods like sandwiches, mini muffins, scones and more, with homegrown produce used wherever possible.
This one is great for travellers with an interest in sustainability, conservation, gardening or cooking, or just anyone keen to give back during their travels and help restore native bush to the landscape. And that brings me to…
Sustainability at Walter Peak Farm
As a full-time traveller and someone who’s worked in the travel industry for over 10 years, I’m acutely aware of the environmental impact that leisure travel can have, and I’m passionate about trying to find solutions that minimise and offset that impact.
Tourism has many, many benefits when done properly, like encouraging open-mindedness, learning about different cultures and supporting local economies, but there’s no hiding from the fact that carbon emissions, food waste and deforestation for tourism attractions are a problem.
That’s why I’m always interested in how tourism companies are working to be more sustainable, and RealNZ’s eco experience at Walter Peak Farm is a brilliant example.
Back in 2013 RealNZ kicked off a giant conservation project which involved clearing thousands of invasive, non-native trees that were smothering the natural landscape, in order to make way for the native ecosystem to flourish. They are now in the process of reforesting the area with native trees and plants, and guests on the eco experience have a hand in that by planting their own.
As the new native plants grow, native birds and insects will return to the area, which enriches biodiversity and positively impacts the gardens too.
On top of that, the natives they’re planting have a lifespan exponentially higher than what was there before, meaning they’ll be absorbing carbon dioxide for hundreds of years while hosting beautiful native species and adding to the already stunning landscape of the Walter Peak hills. Great for the plants, great for the birds, great for us.
In terms of carbon emissions, another huge focus has been to build the Restaurant Garden to reduce the footprint of the food that is served to customers at the homestead and cafe. The team has a dedicated horticulturalist to fine tune the farm-to-table strategy, and our eco experience tour guide shared some of the fantastic initiatives being implemented, like:
- Significantly reducing inorganic sprays on the farm (down 94%) and making the garden totally spray-free
- Using whatever they have available to make the garden better, one example was that the garden’s woodchips are from a huge macrocarpa tree that had come down
- Companion planting, which refers to grouping certain plants together if one can help out the other, like planting marigolds between veggies (they have a strong smell so bugs stay away) and planting carrots and celery around plants that would typically attract white moths (they loathe carrots and celery for some reason!)
- Setting up tunnel houses that allow for growing tomatoes, capsicum and chillies and protecting them from the harsh southern weather
- Making their own honey, in 2023 with only three beehives they produced 100kg of honey, and in 2024 they’re going to have a total of 40 hives 🐝
It was fascinating to get a behind-the-scenes look at the thought process behind this massive sustainability push, and to hear about their goals for the future. This year they’ll be sourcing 10% of the produce they use in their cooking from the Restaurant Garden, and they’re aiming to increase this to 80% in five years!
Is Walter Peak High Country Farm worth visiting?
Walter Peak High Country Farm is a worthwhile addition to your South Island trip, especially if:
- You’re passionate about the environment
- You’re curious about farming and the rural lifestyle
- You want an easy, logistics-free day trip away from Queenstown
- You love animals
- You’re a foodie
- You’re travelling with kids who could do with some entertaining and a big open space to run around
How to book a trip to Walter Peak Farm
You can see all the Walter Peak High Country Farm experiences on RealNZ’s website.
Whether you’re an eco-warrior, a history buff or just looking for a damn good BBQ, the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm are bucket list New Zealand experiences that are worth considering for your trip. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments and I’ll get back to you! Happy travels 🏔️
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