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(855)

Ariane C

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The Earnslaw cruise was amazing, almost as awesome as the Walter Farm tour which we got as a part of this package! Our guide was super knowledgeable and really told us many things about the farm animals, while allowing us to feed them, which was super cute :)! We will 100% be back next time with family, I think this was arguably one of the best parts of our visits to Queenstown. Loved the highland cows and alpacas especially!!

Max M

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

We enjoyed the Steamer ride across Lake Wakatipu. Enjoyed the tour and talk of the gardens and eco efforts to bring more native trees to the area. Appreciated the attempts to grow a wide range of vegetables and herbs for the kitchen for use in the restaurant. I appreciated the growing of native trees and shrubs to plant on the land to regenerate native flora and fauna and enjoy helping make an effort by planting a tree.

Courtney C

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Great evening cruise across the lake on a truly historic ship. The staff on board was very knowledgable and willing to chat with us about the mechanics of the ship. We did the cruise and the meal with a working sheepdog demonstration and it was fantastic. Great variety of food. Watching a working dog do their job is an unreal experience. Definitely put this on your list when in Queenstown!

Erin N

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

The entire thing was awesome - the cruise on beautiful Lake Whakatipu on The Earnslaw Then we were greeted by the staff at Walter Peak and had a fantastic buffet meal in the beautiful old homestead After that we had the farm show that showcased the farm dogs It was an amazing experience and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Queenstown. It is worth every cent.

Robert S

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

It was a unique experience and a step back in time to observe a live operating steam engine with coal being shoveled into the furnace for power. The views from the cruise were unobstructed and there was plenty of space on board to move around. The BBQ dinner exceeded my expectations in quality and quantity. Staff were welcoming and efficient.

Nicholas S

Family

Verified booking

5 days ago

The boat was a great family experience and comfortable - I would suggest reserving seats for families with young children as it can be chaotic trying to find a seat. The food was amazing and extremely generous. The staff were fantastic - hospitable, friendly and informed. We had a great time and would come back.

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.

855 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 28 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Ariane C
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The Earnslaw cruise was amazing, almost as awesome as the Walter Farm tour which we got as a part of this package! Our guide was super knowledgeable and really told us many things about the farm animals, while allowing us to feed them, which was super cute :)! We will 100% be back next time with family, I think this was arguably one of the best parts of our visits to Queenstown. Loved the highland cows and alpacas especially!!
Max M
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
We enjoyed the Steamer ride across Lake Wakatipu. Enjoyed the tour and talk of the gardens and eco efforts to bring more native trees to the area. Appreciated the attempts to grow a wide range of vegetables and herbs for the kitchen for use in the restaurant. I appreciated the growing of native trees and shrubs to plant on the land to regenerate native flora and fauna and enjoy helping make an effort by planting a tree.
Erin N
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
The entire thing was awesome - the cruise on beautiful Lake Whakatipu on The Earnslaw Then we were greeted by the staff at Walter Peak and had a fantastic buffet meal in the beautiful old homestead After that we had the farm show that showcased the farm dogs It was an amazing experience and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Queenstown. It is worth every cent.
Julie M
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
What a beautiful day we had on our Walter Peak farm tour. Starting with the ride over on the Earnslaw. It was all so well organised from the boarding until disembarkment. The farm itself is pristine, with an amazing manicured landscape, well looked after animals & delicious food. Highly recommend.
David T
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
A great day out, I'm from Glasgow but I live in England so I don't get the chance to go on the SS Waverley but this was the next best thing & it made my trip to Queenstown very memorable

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