About this tour
When Ben from our team took the Spirit of Queenstown across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm, we found a solid all-in-one experience that ticks several boxes at once. You're ferried across the lake on a modern catamaran (licensed bar on board if you want a drink), then landed at the Colonel's Homestead — a colonial-era property with genuine alpine views — where a wood-fired BBQ lunch or dinner buffet waits. There's a farm demo thrown in, gardens to wander if time permits, and you're back in Queenstown within 3.5 hours. It's the kind of thing that works well for families, couples wanting a scenic meal, and anyone after a low-fuss half-day outing.
Highlights
- Lake crossing on a catamaran with working bar and decent views
- Wood-fired BBQ with local meats, salads, fresh bread, cheese spread
- Colonial homestead setting overlooks the lake and Queenstown backdrop
- Farm demonstration entertains without feeling forced or gimmicky
- Lakeside gardens worth a stroll if the schedule allows it
- Wheelchair accessible throughout — ramps, transport, facilities thought through
- Guides on the boat and at the farm keep things moving smoothly
What to expect
You'll start at the Queenstown dock and board the Spirit of Queenstown — a modern catamaran that's comfortable rather than cramped. The cruise takes about 45 minutes depending on conditions; it's scenic but not particularly dramatic unless the light is perfect. The bar on board lets you grab a coffee, beer, or wine without faffing about later. Once you reach Walter Peak, you're shepherded to the Colonel's Homestead, a proper old-style farm building with colonial bones and decent bones. The buffet is generous: wood-fired grilled meats (lamb, beef, chicken), a solid salad spread, roasted vegetables, and a dessert table with fresh bread and cheese. The chef grills openly so you see the work. A farm demo follows — shearing, mustering, maybe some stock work — which is genuinely entertaining and not overlong. If there's time slack, the grounds are pleasant for a walk before heading back down to the boat for the return cruise.
What travellers say
- Wood-fired grill and local produce make the food genuinely good
- Accessible design throughout boat, farm, and facilities
- Scenic lake crossing and colonial-era homestead setting
- One booking covers cruise, meal, farm demo, and entertainment
- Works for families, fit walkers, elderly, and mobility-challenged guests
- Entertaining farm demonstration without the feel of a tourist theatre
- Drinks extras add up quickly if you're not careful with costs
- Summer crowds can make the homestead feel bustling and loud
- Lake conditions can turn rough; seasickness risk is real
- Demo schedule means limited flexibility to linger in gardens
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
The food is proper and plentiful, cooked on-site so there's no mystery about freshness. The setting is genuinely photogenic, and the whole package (cruise, meal, demo) means you're not rushing between three separate bookings. Families with young kids, elderly relatives, and solo travellers all fit comfortably into the vibe. The boat and farm are both wheelchair-accessible, with lifts and ramps where needed.
Drinks at the bar and any alcohol with your meal are pay-as-you-go, so factor that in. Summer crowds can make the homestead a bit bustling around lunch or dinner — it's not intimate. Weather on the water can get choppy (Lake Whakatipu doesn't always play nice), so if you're prone to seasickness, take precautions. The farm demo, while solid, runs to a set schedule, so if you're hoping for a long loiter in the gardens, you might not get it.
Bring a light layer for the boat — the wind can bite. No special footwear needed, but the grounds are grass and gravel so comfortable shoes help. Lunch or dinner is included depending on your departure slot; you pick your booking time. Groups are typically 30–100 people, so it's group-sized but not intimate. Peak times are summer school holidays and weekends.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.