Lake Wakatipu- Queenstown, New Zealand

I have long resisted to go on this cruise on Lake Wakatipu but finally I have tested it – and it was an eye-opener – but probably not as you might mean ;-))

So… we had been wandering along the lakeside, and I said to my husband, I feel really old here, nothing but young people in their late teens and early twenties hanging out on the shore, probably all adrenaline junkies… Then, standing at the counter of the Earnslaw on the Boardwalk and nearly ready to board, suddenly a herd – and you cannot call it differently – of about one hundred retirees stormed around the corner and boarded the ship. Within seconds we were the youngest people in this specific area of Queenstown LOL (Ok, later we discovered some kids, and a few people younger than us, but still it was a rejuvenating experience ;-)))

The cruise on the historic steamship itself is nice but I would not call it overwhelming. You see the mountains you can also see from the lakeside, the road to Glenorchy, and, of course, from the Gondola. At the turning point you reach Walter Peak Station at the southern shore of Lake Wakatipu. There most passengers leave the ship at lunch and dinner time because they offer BBQ and dining packages, as well as farm excursions. This can only be reached by boat and is a beautiful sight, not at all like a farm you would imagine but more a mansion with turrets, decks and rose garden. These nice premises are called the Colonel’s Homestead.

A nice surprise was that they offer plates of free nibbles and fruit at the counter where you could buy drinks.

Depending on the direction of the wind you might feel the need to look for a seat where you do not get the black coal steam directly into your face and lungs…

But in total we spent one and half relaxing hours on the ship. I would not consider the trip a must-do but nice if you have spare time.

The cruise BTW – one way only, of course - is a great way to get your bicycle or motorbike across the lake and then, from Walter Peak Station, carry on down south towards Te Anau and Milford Sound on a very remote gravel road.

Tour times – Cruise (90 min):
Daily 12noon, 2pm, 4pm; additionally 10am, 6pm and 8pm from 20 October to 19 April.
Cost: NZ$ 45.

Tour packages

Walter Peak Farm Excursions (3.5 hours), including farmyard tour, animal viewing, sheep-shearing etc. with morning or afternoon tea:
Daily 12noon and 2pm, plus 10am from 20 Oct – 19 April.
Cost: NZ$ 65.

Walter Peak Farm and BBQ Excursions (3.5 hours):
Daily 10 am from 20 Oct – 19 April; 12noon from Oct – May and in Sept.
Cost: NZ$ 85.

Walter Peak Horse Treks (3.5 hours; riding alone 40 min):
Daily 10 am from 20 Oct – 19 April; 12 noon and 2pm from 22 Sept – 19 April.
Cost: NZ$ 105.

Walter Peak Heritage Excursions (3.5 hours):
Daily 4pm from 20 Oct – 5 April.
Cost: NZ$ 72.

Walter Peak Evening Dining (4 hours)
Daily 6pm from Oct – May (Cost: NZ$ 110) and from 20 July – Sept (Cost: NZ$ 83).

Transport Charges
One way cruise NZ$ 29 plus $20 for motorbike, $ 5 for bicycle

(All prices as Dec. 2008, valid until 20 Sept. 2009)

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

Queenstown Hotels

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

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Visiting Queenstown?

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