The 14 Best Lake Wakatipu Cruises

1.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,713 reviews · 3h 30m · from $95Our pick

Take a 45-minute cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown. Enjoy a generous BBQ buffet, lakeside gardens, and a lively sheep-shearing and farm-dog show featuring working dogs such as Echo and Kim.

“We are so happy we booked this tour for our last day in Queenstown. The food was amazing - could not have asked for anything better. I am a vegetarian and had such a full plate to eat and my husband says the meats were cooked to perfection. The service of the workers both on the steamboat and at the farm were fantastic. I can’t recommend this enough!”

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2.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,462 reviews · from $49Top rated

Take a 90-minute cruise from Queenstown’s Beach Street jetty to the end of Lake Wakatipu and back. Captain-led commentary covers local history and scenery, with views of Queenstown Gardens, Kelvin Heights, Kawarau Falls Dam, the Remarkables, birdlife, and lakeside homes. Choose the heated cabin or outdoor seating.

“Boat was warm and comfortable with friendly skipper and crew. Good selection of drinks from the bar. Unfortunately the weather was very cold and wet with limited visibility. On a clear sunny day this would be a five star review.”

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3.TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,255 reviews · 1h 30m · from $68

Spend 90 minutes aboard Queenstown’s TSS Earnslaw, a coal-fired Edwardian steamship. Walk the decks, visit the wheelhouse and museum, watch stokers feed the fire, and enjoy Lake Whakatipu’s mountain views. Commentary is in English, with drinks and snacks available to buy onboard.

“The only disappointment in the tour is the number of tourists, some of whom didn't behave properly. :)”

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4.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,196 reviews · from $98

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm, ideally aboard the vintage TSS Earnslaw. Enjoy a chef-prepared BBQ buffet, lakeside views, and a live sheep shearing and sheepdog show before returning across Lake Wakatipu. The trip lasts about 3.5 hours and costs $98.67 per person.

“The lake view during the cruise was quite beautiful, and the BBQ lunch was nice! They got all kinds of meat, so don’t miss it if you are a meat lover!”

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5.Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 950 reviews · 3h 30m · from $80

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw steamship or Spirit of Queenstown catamaran. Your guide leads a farm visit with sheep, alpacas, cattle, working dogs, and live shearing and herding displays, followed by fresh morning or afternoon tea.

“An excellent day out for our family. The steam boat ride was relaxing and enjoyable. The kids loved looking around the boat at how it worked. The farm visit was lovely. Got to feed and interact with lots of animals. A great afternoon tea provided. My father and I are coeliac and we had separate meals provided of an excellent quality, highly recommend!”

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6.Lake Whakatipu Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 633 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41Best value

Set out from the RealNZ Queenstown Visitor Centre for a 90-minute cruise aboard the Spirit of Queenstown. Your English-speaking skipper points out Bob’s Cove, Mt Earnslaw, the Southern Alps, forested shores, and historic sites while you enjoy the café, bar, and wide viewing decks.

“Relaxing and informative. But could not hear the guide korero sometimes”

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7.Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 570 reviews · from $464

Fly with Glenorchy Air from Queenstown in a small fixed-wing plane with a guaranteed window seat. Your pilot, such as Joseph, Annabel, Rob, or Ben, points out mountains, lakes, glaciers, and valleys before you cruise Milford Sound for at least 1 hour 45 minutes, then fly back.

“Absolutely fabulous! We all enjoyed the scenery and the staff! The views were just breathtaking! Would do it again!”

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8.Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · from $83

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw, or Spirit of Queenstown during maintenance. Meet sheep, cattle, goats, deer, alpacas, and farm dogs, watch a sheepdog show, tour the gardens, and enjoy afternoon tea. Guides such as Joe and Quinn bring the farm visit to life.

“Loved the open space and the guided tour. Feeding the bulls was a lovely experience and so was the beautiful scenic view from the cruise!”

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9.Luxury Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 304 reviews · from $214

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound by coach with guides such as Brad, Sam, Paul, and Chasendra, stopping at Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, and Homer Tunnel before a nature cruise past waterfalls, seals, penguins, and dolphins.

“Breathtaking views. Well organised. Didn’t have to worry about a thing! On time, the website gave an accurate itinerary for the day!”

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10.TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Steamship Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 302 reviews · from $71

Board Queenstown’s historic TSS Earnslaw for a 90-minute return cruise toward Walter Peak. Watch stokers feed the coal fires, visit the small museum, enjoy captain’s commentary, and buy snacks or drinks while Central Otago’s mountains slide past.

“It is interesting steamer boat. Friendly staff off/on board. Book through Viator doesn't have the option to get off at the farm for morning tea. It just the ticket stay onboard for 1.5 hours ride.”

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11.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 264 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47

Board Million Dollar Cruise at Queenstown’s main jetty for a 90-minute ride past The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Kelvin Heights, historic homes, and quiet bays. Expect a local captain such as Troy or Dan, live commentary, indoor and outdoor seating, a licensed bar, and a small, family-friendly boat that welcomes dogs.

“The skipper of the boat was very knowledgeable and made it a fun trip. Would definitely recommend.”

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12.Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 151 reviews · from $134

Sail across Lake Whakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown, then ride for 40 to 45 minutes through Walter Peak farmland with an English-speaking guide. Small groups of up to six make this a calm, personal introduction to horse trekking, followed by tea, scones, and muffins.

“Spectacular place, guide was awesome. All around a good time”

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13.Lake Cruise to Walter Peak Farm with BBQ Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 66 reviews · 3h 30m · from $95

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the Spirit of Queenstown, then enjoy a wood-fired BBQ buffet at Colonel’s Homestead, a farm demonstration, and time in the lakeside grounds. Jo leads the sheep-shearing show, while Jacob helps look after lunch. Allow 210 minutes.

“Short boat trip across the lake with great views. BBQ buffet was spectacular. We had a front view table of lake outside. Farm show was also good. Great day had by all.”

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14.Queenstown Lake Cruise to Walter Peak Farm with BBQ Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $98

Sail from Queenstown across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy a locally sourced BBQ buffet at Colonel’s Homestead, hear an English-speaking guide, watch a sheep-shearing and farm demonstration, then cruise back. The 3.5-hour trip includes lunch or dinner, but drinks cost extra.

“The cruise itself is funtastic and the buffet lunch is wonderful, the food is delicious and all fresh especially the veggies the experience is one of a kind”

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