Visit a traditional highland farm to discover South Island life and industry before tourism came to town.
Across Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown lies Walter Peak High Country Farm, a traditional New Zealand station that has been converted into accommodation for tourists. Access to the station and the mountain itself is difficult by car, making it a relatively untouched part of the region. Instead, visitors journey to Walter Peak by historic steamboat.
Climb aboard the TSS Earnslaw at Queenstown’s Steamer Wharf and you’ll journey across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak. At the Walter Peak homestead enjoy lunch with a barbecue featuring produce from the farm itself.
Take a tour of the farm and homestead to see how the station operates. Walter Peak High Country Farm is an operational sheep and cattle station. Be amazed by the skills of the sheepdogs, and learn about the traditional farming techniques used on the station.
Venture further into the surrounding fields to see the contours of the land unfold. The station offers horse-riding treks that will take you across the rolling hills of Walter Peak. Your knowledgeable guide will give you insightful information about both the farm and the local area, and will help first-time riders.
If you prefer to travel on two wheels, see the peak by mountain bike. The station offers guided bike tours, or you can rent a bike to explore it on your own. There are many excellent trails that traverse the mountain, and the area is popular among serious mountain bikers.
Walter Peak High Country Farm can be accessed via the TSS Earnslaw Steamship from Queenstown, with three departure times daily. Entry to the station can be bundled with your boat trip, lunch and station tour. The farm is open every day of the year
