Sightseeing Cruises

From Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Cruise

Tourists walking along a path at Walter Peak High Country Farm with scenic views.

Woman leaning out steamship window with arms outstretched on a lake near Queenstown.

Family walking through flower garden at Walter Peak High Country Farm, New Zealand.

Tourists feeding Highland cattle at Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Duration

1 hr 30 min - 3 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.8/5

(722)

Leanne

Jan 2026

Verified booking

The trip was a very special treat for the family to add on to the summer holidays. Everything went according to plan from easy online booking with Head Out & great email communication at every step with friendly acknowledgments and reminders of the upcoming event. The cruise was amazing on the TSS Earnslaw- great service checking in and boarding. Facilities were fantastic- a really lovely experience with live music to keep us entertained. Scenery on the lake was stunning. All staff friendly welcoming & attentive. BBQ lunch at Walter Peak Station was memorable- amazing selection of delicious well prepared food & staff were fabulous at their jobs adding to the experience . Highly recommend this tour - everything was outstanding

Pamela

Jan 2026

Verified booking

Enjoyed watching and learning about the animals and learning of all the training involved for the sheep dog, and the devotion of the trainer. I was also pleased that on the track there was an alternate route that avoided stairs which enabled my mother to complete the walk. High tea had a lot of variety. Place clean & well organised. Ship added a touch of nostalgia to my day. Weather was perfect. All in all, it was a perfect day.

Kerrie

Jan 2026

Verified booking

This was a major highlight of our Queenstown holiday. We booked the cruise and BBQ lunch. Everything was so well organised, from the booking process, ticket collection, boarding the vessel, lunch and the sheep shearing. The food was outstanding. Top class chef dishes. So many choices. I would highly recommended this cruise and I will definitely be booking this again next time I'm in Queenstown. Five stars

Stephen

Jan 2026

Verified booking

A very enjoyable cruise on a beautiful lake with magnificent views all around. I love a working machine so the high spot for me was access to the engine room and boiler room of a coal fired steamship. There were clear diagrammatic explanations to facilitate understanding. A rare and treasured experience for me and an absolute recommendation for those who share my love of both machines and nature.

Sarah

Jan 2026

Verified booking

We had to take the spirit of QT over because the Earnslaw had mechanical issues. But it was very comfortable and they made the change easy and managed the last minute issue well. I really enjoyed getting a cup of tea in a real cup (not takeaway) for our cruise over. We were stoked to see we'd get the Earnslaw back. Such a cool experience seeing the inner workings of the boat as we sailed!

Karien

Jan 2026

Verified booking

The cruise across the lake was serene (the superbly sunny day helped), the food was phenomenal and plentiful, and despite having lived in NZ for 13 years, Ashleigh & her dog Misty put on an entertaining sheep show! Gift shop had a wide spread of beautiful local craftsmanship and the lovely American couple that I dined and chatted with for most of this trip made the day even more perfect!

Take a scenic cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw or the modern Spirit of Queenstown catamaran across Lake Wakatipu, with views of Queenstown's alpine peaks.

Combine your cruise with a guided tour of Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you'll meet farm animals and enjoy freshly baked afternoon tea.

Choose to add a gourmet BBQ lunch or dinner at Walter Peak Farm to your cruise, where you'll dine with lakeside views in a peaceful high-country setting.

Add a small-group horse trek to your cruise, riding through Walter Peak's rolling farmland, led by an experienced guide.

Fun fact: Lake Wakatipu’s unique Z-shape causes its water level to rise and fall rhythmically every 25 minutes—local legend calls it the heartbeat of a giant.

Cruise on Lake Wakatipu

Live commentary on the cruise

Walter Peak Farm Tour (if option selected)

Guided tour of Walter Peak Farm

English-speaking guide

Walter Peak Farm sheepdog show

Freshly baked afternoon tea (homemade scones, cakes, sandwiches, and slices)

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Meal (if option selected)

Gourmet BBQ lunch or dinner buffet here (based on time selected) (based on time selected)

Walter Peak Farm sheepdog show

Walter Peak Horse Trekking Tour (if option selected)

45-minute horse trekking tour

Nature guide

Small group of up to 6 people

Freshly baked morning or afternoon tea (homemade scones, cakes, sandwiches, and slices)

Safety helmet and wet weather clothing

Walter Peak Garden to Table experience (if option selected)

Return cruise on the TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu

Guided tour of the kitchen gardens with produce tasting

Native flora & conservation walk

Opportunity to plant a native tree or shrub

Garden-to-table light lunch, featuring homegrown & locally sourced ingredients

Expert host commentary throughout the experience

Spirit of Queenstown cruise (if option selected)

1-hour 30-min Spirit of Queenstown cruise

Live commentary by expert skipper

Access to open top deck

Wheelchair accessible

Other food and drinks (available to purchase on board)

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

722 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 29 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Rosemary
Mar 2026
Verified booking
I'm not very mobile so I sat in the stern of the ship alongside the talented lady pianist sipping my drink of cider. It was a beautiful calm day and the sun was shining. It's days like this that can make or break a holiday. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this wonderful experience.
Corinne
Mar 2026
Verified booking
We had a magic day out on the water - the travel time was ideal - great lunch - wine was Devine (although pricy) fun farm show - maybe a tad more time to look around the property would have been nice as gardens are so stunning. But the 6 of us had a fab day!
Steve
Mar 2026
Verified booking
All ran smoothly- boat comfortable and interesting to see open engine. Our tour guide was exceptional (Jo from wales) easy to talk too and informative- great morning tea also plenty to eat and high quality - easy to recommend
Sue
Mar 2026
Verified booking
The steamer boat was such a lovely experience. The views amazing and the staff were lovely. Our garden to table experience was very special. Really enjoyed the gardens and the food. Our guide was very informative.
Catherine
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Enjoyed all of it - the TSS Earnslaw is a beautiful ship and the BBQ lunch at Walter Peak was excellent. The farm show was also interesting and informative. The dogs were amazing!

Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard a vintage steamship or sleek catamaran, then tailor your journey with a farm tour, lakeside BBQ, or horseback ride.

Getting started

Head to the Steamer Wharf in Queenstown to board your vessel—either the historic TSS Earnslaw or the modern Spirit of Queenstown. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Your ticket will be scanned before boarding; no ID checks required. Security is minimal but bags may be checked.

What to expect

Lake Wakatipu: New Zealand’s third-largest lake, shaped like a lightning bolt, framed by the Remarkables mountain range. Known for its mysterious ‘tidal rise’ every 25 minutes.

Cruise across the lake: Sail past forested hills, alpine peaks, and quiet bays. The TSS Earnslaw features a working steam engine and piano lounge. The Spirit of Queenstown offers an open-air top deck with panoramic views.

Extras

Walter Peak Farm: Step ashore for a hands-on tour of a working high country farm. Feed sheep, meet Highland cattle, and see sheepdogs in action.

BBQ at the Homestead: Enjoy a gourmet BBQ lunch or dinner at a lakefront restaurant with local meats, fresh salads, and decadent desserts.

Horse trek: Join a guided ride through scenic paddocks and rolling hills, suitable for all levels. Helmets and instruction provided.

After your visit, cruise back across the lake with fresh views of Queenstown and the surrounding peaks.

What to bring

Bring your covered shoes/boots (nonslip), long trousers, warm clothing/jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, and camera.

Pack your meds – better to be prepared, just in case they’re not available onsite.

Bring a cash-free payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

What’s not allowed

Safety is a priority so the horse trekking experience is restricted for guests under the age of 7 years, under the height of 1.2m (3.94ft) and over the weight of 100kg (220.46lb).

Accessibility

The Spirit of Queenstown is designed with accessibility in mind, making it easier to board with prams or mobility aids. The TSS Earnslaw, with its heritage design, may present some challenges for those with limited mobility or prams.

The Farm Tour involves walking on gravel paths, so it may be challenging for wheelchair users. Those with impaired mobility should consider their comfort level before participating.

The restaurant for the BBQ dining is easily accessible, except for the short gravel path from the wharf, which may require assistance for some wheelchair users.

The horse trekking tour is suitable for riders of all skill levels, including first-time riders.

Additional information

The cruise is subject to favorable weather conditions. In the event of cancellation due to poor weather, you will have the option of rescheduling or receiving a full refund.

The TSS Earnslaw is scheduled to undergo annual maintenance from May 19 to September 9, 2025.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your cruise to avoid any delays.

Boarding point

Board your cruise at Steamer Wharf.

Address: 88 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand.

Get directions to the boarding point