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Love relaxing cruises and cute farm animals? This one’s for you! When you visit Queenstown with kids, there’s one experience that really captures the region’s heart and history — the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak High Country Farm Tour.
This half‑day trip combines a scenic lake cruise aboard a century‑old steamship with an authentic New Zealand farm experience, complete with animals, afternoon tea, and some truly unforgettable surroundings.
We almost didn’t book this tour, but I am so glad we did! So if you’re curious about whether a visit to Walter Peak Farm is worth it, our TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm tour review is for you!
Book Your TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm Tour
TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm Tour Review
We took the morning tour during our summer stay in Queenstown, and it ended up being one of our favourite family outings in the South Island during our 5-day Queenstown itinerary — a perfect mix of relaxation and hands‑on fun for all ages.
Our stay in Queenstown was following 3 days in Lake Tekapo. The drive between Lake Tekapo and Queenstown is EPIC!
We first visited Queenstown back in 2019 when our kids were quite young. We thought about doing this tour back then, but decided against it. We almost didn’t book it this trip either. I’m so glad we did!
We absolutely loved Walter Peak Farm. It was such a fun experience, with some of the cutest farm animals and a fantastic shearing and sheep dog show.
Of course, taking a cruise on the famous TSS Earnslaw was lovely too!
Need Queenstown accommodation? Check out The Glebe Apartments. We loved it!
About the TSS Earnslaw
The TSS Earnslaw, affectionately nicknamed “The Lady of the Lake,” has been cruising Lake Wakatipu since 1912. It’s one of the last remaining coal‑fired steamships in operation — and you can actually see the crew shovelling coal below deck as you sail!
The boat is almost like a museum on the water, set up so you can go into the engine room and see the inner workings, plus a room documenting the history of the ship, too.
The journey itself is a highlight. It glides smoothly across the lake, surrounded by the Remarkables Mountain Range and breathtaking alpine scenery. The mountain backdrop behind the mountain is mammoth!
From the moment we boarded, there was a lovely old‑world charm — polished wood interiors, brass fittings, and live piano music drifting through the ship.
The kids were equally fascinated by being able to peer down into the engine room to watch the engines at work (one of those small but memorable touches).
The Cruise Across Lake Wakatipu
The cruise to Walter Peak High Country Station takes about 45 minutes each way. On a clear day, you get treated to postcard‑perfect views the entire time.
We took a morning sailing, which meant the sun lit up the turquoise water beautifully, although it was a little chilly. For families, this timing is ideal — it kicks off around 9 am and gets back a little after midday. Just long enough to feel like an adventure without being exhausting.
Tip: grab a spot on the open deck for photos, but bring a jacket — even on a sunny day, there’s a cool breeze on the lake.
There’s also a café and bar on board with snacks, coffee, and adult beverages if you’d like to enjoy a drink while you cruise.
Arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm
As soon as the Earnslaw docks at Walter Peak, you’re greeted by friendly staff and sent off on your farm tour adventure, splitting into smaller groups.
Soon after, you get to meet some very photogenic farm animals right near the shoreline — alpacas, sheep, pigs and Highland cattle.
The pace here instantly slows down. This isn’t a rushed tourist stop because it feels like you’re stepping into a gentle slice of New Zealand country life, which might be a nice change of pace if you’ve been off doing the more adrenaline-fueled side of Queenstown.
Walter Peak Farm is a real working farm.
The Farm Tour Experience
Families will love the interactive farm tour, which runs for about an hour. We did!
Depending on which group you are in, you will either start with meeting and feeding the animals or with a sheep shearing and working farm dog show. We started with the animal feeding.
You then get the chance to meet and feed some of the animals, including sheep, alpacas, and deer. Our girls adored giving handfuls of feed to the different animals.
The highland cows were definitely the favourite of the day. They are so freaking cute! But also the alpacas… not that we wanted to get too close in case they gave an affectionate spit.
Our tour guide, Corey, was fantastic at answering the endless questions along the way, along with his dog helper.
The other part of the tour included the demonstration.
First, our guide did a sheep shearing demonstration, and then he had the working dog show off her skills. She is a short-haired border collie and had those sheep rounded up like a pro. It was very cool to watch, and you can see how valuable these dogs are to working farms like Walter Peak.
Everything felt authentic without being overly staged, which made it a genuine highlight of the whole tour.
You can also opt for a cruise, farm tour and Walter Peak horse riding experience for a unique way to experience the farm property.
The Morning Tea Or Afternoon Tea
After exploring the farm, guests are treated to a laid‑back morning or afternoon tea at the charming homestead. It’s set up buffet‑style, featuring freshly baked scones with cream and jam, small sandwiches, and sweet treats.
The food was absolutely delish! It was high tea worthy, and we thoroughly enjoyed it, along with juice, tea and coffee. They give you plenty of time to enjoy your food too.
There is also a little free time to wander around the farm while waiting for the TSS Earnslaw to return, so we wandered back up to pat the highland cow and watch the piggies again.
Walter Peak BBQ Lunch Or Dinner Cruise Tour
Instead of a morning tea or afternoon farm tour, you can also do a BBQ lunch or a dinner tour option. We didn’t experience either of those; however, the extended family also in Queenstown at the time did the lunch cruise and enjoyed it.
From what I have seen, it appears the food is high quality no matter which version of the tour you do, making it well worth the cost overall for food, cruise and farm visit.
You can book the Walter Peak BBQ Lunch Tour or Walter Peak Farm Dinner Tour here.
The Return Journey
The 45‑minute return voyage on the TSS Earnslaw is a great time to reflect, snap some last‑minute photos, or simply relax.
The kids enjoyed exploring the decks again, while we found a cosy seat inside to relax while the grandparents had a table snooze… (and Simon snapped photos to send the rest of the family back home)
By the time we pulled back into Queenstown Wharf, it felt like we’d had a full day’s adventure in just a few hours, but still with half a day to spend doing other things.
For us, that was a 50th anniversary party for Simon’s uncle and aunt with all the cousins at Sherwood Queenstown, but you could easily combine this with a Shotover jet boat ride or the Skyline Gondola and luge (or all 3 in one day).
How Long Does It Take
- Total tour time: Around 3.5 hours return from Queenstown Wharf
- Cruise time: 45 minutes each way
- Farm experience and afternoon tea: Approximately hours
If you’re tight on time, the half‑day format is ideal — it fits into a morning or afternoon without cutting into a full day of sightseeing. It’s an easy activity to add into your Queenstown itineray.
Do You Need To Book In Advance?
Queenstown is an incredibly popular tourist destination all year round and the TSS Earnslaw is one of the most popular and well-known attractions in the heart of Queenstown, so we absolutely do recommend you booking ahead.
Our morning tour was relatively full, however, the afternoon tour was packed, preparing to board as we disembarked.
Why We Book Tours With Get Your Guide
We have used Get Your Guide as our trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using GYG for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most tours on Get Your Guide allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is great if plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking poor.
- Reserve now, pay later – You can secure many of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – This online marketplace holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews, which helps you choose a reliable tour operator.
Tips for Families
- Book ahead – tours often fill during peak seasons and school holidays.
- Bring layers – the lake breeze can be cool even in summer.
- Arrive early – to secure good seats on the upper deck.
- Pack snacks for the kids – morning or afternoon tea is included but not until later in the tour.
- Wear closed-in shoes – it’s a farm, so you’re going to be potentially walking along muddy areas if it has recently rained.
What Did We Think Of The TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm Experience
The TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm Tour is one of those quintessential Queenstown experiences that perfectly suits families, couples or friends.
It combines beautiful scenery, a bit of history, and hands‑on fun, all at an easygoing pace. Plus super cute animals which is always a winner!
We loved that it appealed to every member of the family — the kids had animals to feed, and honestly, that was my favourite part too! There was the relaxing cruise and alpine views that Simon and his parents enjoyed most.
And yummy food that made us all equally happy!
If you’re visiting Queenstown, this tour absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary — whether you’re travelling with children, grandparents, or anyone who appreciates a good old‑fashioned day out in spectacular surroundings.