TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown worth booking?
TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown is a 3.5-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $5 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (19)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $5 per person
Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Whakatipu, Walter Peak High Country Farm is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few hours. Immerse yourself in nature and learn about conservation throughout New Zealand. Be
What you get
- Snacks
- On-board restrooms
About this experience
Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Whakatipu, Walter Peak High Country Farm is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few hours. Immerse yourself in nature and learn about conservation throughout New Zealand. Begin your trip with a 45 minute cruise aboard the Vintage TSS Earnslaw, an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon. You will be greeted by our rural host, who will give you a tour of the stunning Restaurant Garden and showcase the beautiful native plants. Sample fresh produce straight from the veggie beds and orchard! Next savour a delicious garden platters made with with ingredients just harvested during your visit. This is the perfect adventure for those who want to give back to the environment while immersing themselves in New Zealand’s native scenery. You will then have the opportunity to have a hands on role in Walter Peaks land restoration project by planting a native tree or shrub from our nursery.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- On-board restrooms
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Enjoy a cruise along Lake Wakatipu on your journey to and from Walter Peak and enjoy informative commentary from our knowledgeable nature guide. (45 minutes each way). Climb aboard the Vintage TSS Earnslaw Steamship for your return back to Queenstown, an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon.
90 minutes here
Fall in love with nature and immerse yourself in a unique experience where conservation, horticulture, and eco-tourism meet.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
Please arrive 30 minutes before departure time to check in for the cruise. The RealNZ Visitor Centre is a stone building with a black and white branded sign. When disembarking the cruise at Walter Peak, please look our for your rural host who will be holding an Eco Tour sign.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please arrive 30 minutes before departure time to check in for the cruise. The RealNZ Visitor Centre is a stone building with a black and white branded sign. When disembarking the cruise at Walter Peak, please look our for your rural host who will be holding an Eco Tour sign.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- RealNZ
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note for wheelchair users, access is restricted on the vintage TSS Earnslaw Vessel as the toilets are downstairs from the only wheelchair accessible area. The terrain at Walter Peak is also rocky gravel farm paths and should be considered before booking.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
9 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Really Nice Experience; Delicious BBQ
Booked the trip through viator for the cruise, BBQ lunch and farm show. It was a great experience, though the boat was packed with tour groups. Get to the dock early to ensure a good seat. The cruise was fine up the Western shores of Lake Wakatipu. Nothing particularly special. The highlight was the BBQ. I was anticipating a BBQ with burgers, etc. outside. Nope. It was one of the most exquisite buffets I'd seen since Covid inside at dining tables. It was top class with meats (pork, chicken, lamb, beef - all freshly roasted), fish, appetizers, many salads and a decedent dessert selection. The Farm Show was cool with a demonstration of sheep herding. I'd give a B to the cruise and farm show, but the lunch made the experience an A.
via Tripadvisor
Don't Book with Tripadvisor
I wouldn't advise booking with Tripadvisor! We are in Queenstown, NZ, excited about a TSs Earnslaw steamboat and Gourmet BBQ lunch trip we thought wed booked for 11 am tomorrow - 11th April, '26. We received a confirmation text message this morning - 24 hours prior to departure. There was a link to follow to their website for booking details: Followed link, only to find No booking on my profile. So I rang - they hung up on me twice, on my third call, she just kept saying, "Im sorry, Mam, theres nothing I can do - its now fully booked. " .... nothing! no offer to rebook - no compensation - nothing! My Great Grandparents lived in Queenstown - every time the earnslaw came past, we'd run down to the lake front and wave - the steamboat always blew its big horn. Im so sad this has happened. Tripadvisor wasn't sorry or helpful!
via Tripadvisor
TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak
TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak. This is definitely a must see. We did the afternoon tea. They served lots of food. The grounds are beautiful. However booking through Viator was a mistake. We booked 4 tours with them. Booking was easy. Retrieving our booking information was a nightmare. The customer service was good and very helpful. We did not want to spend our vacation time on the phone with them.
via Viator
Amazing day
Bring warm clothing and stay away from the lime sorbet The boat and crew were just amazing and very very helpful
via Viator
This is a must do experience in Queenstown
We had the best experience aboard this scenic cruise on Lake Whakatipu vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and explore the decks and engine room. There was a lovely buffet-style BBQ dining at Walter Peak, there was an after dinner show with the farm dogs in action 3 hour 45 minute return experience
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $5 to $169
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by RealNZ, who run 11 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 75.2 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything RealNZ runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown cost?
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Prices start at $5 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Queenstown usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Queenstown is not rushed.
Is TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 19 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Queenstown can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Queenstown and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Queenstown within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Queenstown?
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On Outty we rank every Queenstown experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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