Adult: 16 years +Children: 5-15 yearsInfant: Under 5 years

Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience

South Island

Experiences

Cruises

Family-friendly Tours

Nature & Wildlife

Half-Day Tours

South Island

Start: Queenstown

Duration: 3.5 hours

The Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience is a 3.5-hour eco-focused Queenstown outing operating at 3.00pm from November to April. Cruise across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm, plant a native tree or shrub, learn about conservation, explore the restaurant garden and enjoy a rustic Ploughman’s Platter featuring local produce. The return journey is aboard the TSS Earnslaw, and the experience is suitable for all ages.

Plant, Taste and Cruise at Walter Peak

Travel across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm, surrounded by alpine scenery and the secluded landscapes of the lake’s south-western shore. The property has connections to early Māori moa hunting and pounamu-gathering journeys, followed by European high-country farming from the 1860s. Today, its gardens and conservation projects reveal how the historic station is creating a more sustainable future.

Contribute to Walter Peak’s reforestation project by planting a native tree or shrub, then learn about local wildlife and the importance of restoring indigenous vegetation. Explore the productive restaurant garden to see how seasonal ingredients travel from garden to plate before enjoying a rustic Ploughman’s Platter made with local produce. Complete the experience with a scenic return cruise to Queenstown aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw.

Couple picking fresh produce inside a sunlit greenhouse

Guest tree planting at Walter Peak Eco Experience

Garden path walk at Walter Peak Eco Experience

Cottage garden walk at Walter Peak Eco Experience

Guest learning about native planting at Walter Peak

Ripe apricots on tree in the orchard at Walter Peak

Orchard visit at Walter Peak Eco Experience

Farm-to-table outdoor lunch at Walter Peak Station

Two women enjoying afternoon tea at rustic wooden tables with views over Lake Whakatipu

Close-up of an afternoon tea platter with cheeses, pickles, dips, and fresh vegetables on a rustic wooden table

An overhead view of an afternoon tea platter at Walter Peak, featuring fresh bread, scones, savoury dips, and sweet treats

Plate of savoury scones, crusty bread and cheese with olive oil

Variety of savoury and sweet dishes laid out on rustic timber table

Close-up of cheese slices, pickles, relish and olives on wooden platter

Mini fruit tarts and crumble slices on a white dessert plate

Spiced bite-sized fritters on fresh lettuce with creamy sauce

Colourful grazing platter with cheeses, dips, olives, and seasonal veg at Walter Peak

Fresh scones, bread and cheese platter served outdoors at Walter Peak

Afternoon tea with sweet and savoury treats at Walter Peak

Outdoor seating with lake views at Walter Peak

Highlights

A afternoon cruise across the lake, returning on the vintage steamer, the TSS Earnslaw.
Become part of the reforestation project and plant a native tree or shrub.
Learn about native wildlife and conservation in New Zealand.
Explore our Restaurant Garden and watch produce go from garden to plate.
Enjoy a Ploughman’s Platter made up of local rustic produce.
Finish your journey with a cruise back across Lake Whakatipu aboard the iconic TSS Earnslaw.

Walter Peak High Country Farm, nestled on the south-western shores of Lake Whakatipu, is rich in history, serving as a traditional site for Māori on their Moa hunting and pounamu gathering expeditions. European settlement began in the 1860s, facing harsh challenges until the Mackenzies took over in the late 1880s, significantly advancing high country farming over 80 years. At its zenith, the farm spanned 170,000 acres, supporting 40,000 sheep and employing up to 50 people, becoming one of New Zealand's most renowned stations. Today, it includes the Colonel’s Homestead, rebuilt in 1977 after a fire, known for its exquisite lakeside gardens, marking a blend of its storied past and present as a high country farm.

Adult: 16 years +
Children: 5-15 years
Infant: Under 5 years

More than 24 hours before departure: Full refund**.
Within 24 hours: No refund

Note: **Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*