New Zealand · QUEENSTOWN LAKE CRUISES

Queenstown Lake Cruises: The 15 Best on Wakatipu

37 tours  ·  from $41 a head

Ninety minutes around the bays or the steamer across to Walter Peak for lunch on a high-country station. The 15 cruises below compare price, time on the water and what is served on board.

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise - Crossing Lake Whakatipu
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Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

1.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

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

Sail from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the historic TSS Earnslaw or modern Spirit of Queenstown. Allow 3.5 hours for the return cruise, a generous BBQ buffet and a farm demonstration with sheepdogs and sheep shearing. The boat choice affects the price, and the named farm demonstrators may vary.

“This was a fantastic trip and would highly recommend. The steamer cruise was great. Able to see the fire in engines. The captain and crew all very helpful. The bbq dinner was amazing. Meats so tender and moist. Salads fresh and zingy. Wonderful cheeses and cold meats. Wonderful deserts. Waiting staff very helpful. The sheep shearing and dog show was also wonderful. The shearer was really entertaining and informative but Echo the dog was the star of the show!! Great gift shop.”

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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes) - Queenstown Bay and the shoreline
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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

2.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

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

Set out from central Queenstown for a 90-minute Lake Wakatipu cruise past Queenstown Gardens, the Kelvin Heights golf course, willow islands and Kawarau Falls Dam. A captain provides live commentary, with indoor and outdoor seating, a heated cabin and drinks for sale. Captains such as Troy and Dan have led trips, though crew can vary.

“Although only a 90 minutes boat tour the captain provided very informative narratioon about queenstown history and folklore. Just wished the weather had been warmer to be able to ride above.”

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Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu - How the 90-minute cruise unfolds
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Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

3.TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

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

Spend 90 minutes aboard the TSS Earnslaw, Queenstown’s historic coal-powered steamship. Hear the captain’s commentary, visit the engine room to see stokers at work, and browse old photographs in the onboard museum. There’s also a café for drinks and snacks. The $68 cruise does not include food or a Walter Peak farm visit.

“Don’t change a thing. I loved that such an impressive technological marvel is still operating perfectly. I loved talking to the people working on the steam ship and watching them operate it.”

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Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise - The sheepdogs and shearing demonstration
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Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

4.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

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

Take a round-trip Lake Wakatipu cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm, with the TSS Earnslaw steamship or Spirit of Queenstown catamaran. At the Colonel’s Homestead, enjoy a chef-prepared barbecue buffet, then watch a sheep shearing and sheepdog demonstration. The outing lasts about three and a half hours.

“Amazing views of the lake. Great hospitality both on the boat and off. The bbq lunch was fab! Plenty of options. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking! The show at the end was also really spectacular.”

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Queenstown: Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour - Walter Peak: animals, skills, and a rural welcome
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Queenstown: Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

5.Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

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

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak aboard the TSS Earnslaw steamship or Spirit of Queenstown catamaran, then join a guided farm tour with animal encounters and sheepdog and shearing demonstrations. Tea is served at the farm. The 3.5-hour outing includes a nature guide, with farm hosts such as Josh and Mia leading the demonstrations.

“Great guide, and farm show, and tea time, nice transportation.”

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Queenstown: Lake Whakatipu Boat Trip - From the Queenstown Visitor Centre to open water
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Queenstown: Lake Whakatipu Boat Trip

6.Lake Whakatipu Boat Trip

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

Cruise Lake Whakatipu aboard a modern catamaran, with views of Bob’s Cove, Mt Earnslaw and the Southern Alps. Your English-speaking skipper shares local history and stories as you move around the lake. Choose a seat inside or head to the decks for photos, and buy drinks or a cheese or charcuterie platter from the onboard café and bar.

“Really lovely tour around the lake on a fantastic boat. Great views and facilities.”

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Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown - Walter Peak’s homestead and buffet
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Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown

7.Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 576 reviews · from $117

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the 1912 TSS Earnslaw or the modern Spirit of Queenstown. At the farm, settle in for a barbecue buffet at the Colonel’s Homestead, then watch a sheepdog and shearing demonstration. Farm demonstrators include Joe, with working dog Echo, though the team may vary.

“The experience began with a ride across the lake in an authentic 1912 steamship. We were then served a great buffet with many choices. After the meal, the farm was open to wandering among the different animal pens. The most entertaining activity was to see Joe and his amazing dog Echo as they showed us how they work to corral sheep from field to pen and pen to field. The show included Joe giving us a demonstration of sheep shearing.”

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Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Adventure - Sheepdogs, shearing, and a short lesson in farm work
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Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Adventure

8.Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Adventure

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

Cross Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown aboard the TSS Earnslaw, or a substitute vessel during maintenance, for a guided visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Meet sheep and other livestock, watch a sheepdog demonstration, stroll the gardens, and tuck into afternoon tea. The half-day trip lasts about three and a half hours.

“The journey begins aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship that feels like a floating museum. Watching the stokers shovel coal into the glowing furnaces is a rare, fascinating sight. The open-deck views of Lake Wakatipu and the Read more”

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TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Steamship Cruise from Queenstown - Crossing Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak
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TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Steamship Cruise from Queenstown

9.TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Steamship Cruise from Queenstown

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

Board the 1912 TSS Earnslaw at Queenstown’s Steamer Wharf for a 90-minute return cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak and back. You can watch the stokers tend the coal-fired engine, explore the ship’s small museum and buy snacks or drinks on board. The captain provides commentary, and sailings run at several times during the day.

“Great cruise around Lake Wakatipu with a super knowledgeable captain and crew providing commentary on local area. Amazing scenic views to enjoy and steam ship history!”

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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise - The first stretch: Queenstown from the lake
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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

10.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

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

Cruise Lake Wakatipu for 90 minutes from Queenstown’s main jetty, with views of the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Kelvin Heights, bays, and lakeside homes. A local captain, including guides such as Troy and Dan, shares stories along the way. The smaller boat has indoor and outdoor seating, a licensed bar, and space for dogs.

“The cruise trip scenic view was stunning. I felt safe with the Cruise's operating conditions. The crews were helpful and special thanks to Captain Troy for providing the detailed introduction of every part surrounding the Lake Wakatipu. We're love it.”

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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight - A 50-minute flight, not a ground tour
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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

11.Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 175 reviews · from $378

This 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown crosses Skippers Canyon and the Rees Valley to the glaciers and waterfalls of Mt. Aspiring National Park. You may land on a glacier, though summer conditions can change the landing plan. Your pilot provides English commentary, and pickup is available from selected Queenstown locations.

“Utterly superb. How amazing to stand on a glacier. The views were breathtaking. The pilot was great and very informative. An absolute highlight of our trip to stunning New Zealand.”

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Scenic Cruise & Guided Walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau - Afternoon tea and a crew that sets the tone
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Scenic Cruise & Guided Walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau

12.Scenic Cruise & Guided Walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · from $102

Spend about three hours on Lake Te Anau aboard Faith, a restored historic motor yacht, with live commentary, afternoon tea and a guided walk in Fiordland National Park. The small-group trip is capped at 16. Crew members such as Adam, Paul and Jackie have shared the yacht’s story and led walks to a mirror lake.

“Fabulous relaxing afternoon boat trip on the beautiful historical Faith sail boat with motor. Captain Adam and first mate Ginnie were both charming and very informative. Adam share stories about the interesting hipster of the boat while sailing and Winnie provided us with elegant canapés and drinks (all included) Ginnie led us on a short hike midway through and shared her great knowledge about the flora and fauna. They put up the sails not he way back to harbor and it was a quiet, beautiful way to enjoy the gorgeous views. As a bonus, Captain Adam played the bag pipe on the way back!”

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Queenstown: Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise - Tea at Colonel’s Homestead
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Queenstown: Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise

13.Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise

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

Take a 45-minute cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the 1912 TSS Earnslaw steamship or the Spirit of Queenstown catamaran. At Walter Peak High Country Farm, ride for 40 to 45 minutes with an English-speaking guide, then enjoy tea, scones, and muffins at Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant. Groups are limited to six riders per guide.

“Awesome family fun activity. Everyone love the ride and our guides are so lovely. Thoroughly enjoy the whole experience.”

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Lake Dunstan Cycleway Bike Rental With Return Luxury Shuttle - Choose a bike for a full 42km
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Lake Dunstan Cycleway Bike Rental With Return Luxury Shuttle

14.Lake Dunstan Cycleway Bike Rental With Return Luxury Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 140 reviews · from $93

Start at Cromwell’s Junction Lookout at 9:30am, collect your bike and safety gear, then ride the self-guided 42km Lake Dunstan Cycleway to Clyde. E-bike assistance helps on the hills, and an executive shuttle returns you to your car. Carrick Winery and Burger & Coffee Afloat are possible stops along the way.

“Loved the ride, it can be a bit hairy in places. Probably more suited to riders with a bit of experience.”

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50-Minute Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Flight, Queenstown - The value of a 50-minute flight
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50-Minute Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Flight, Queenstown

15.50-Minute Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Flight, Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $446

From Queenstown, take a 50-minute helicopter flight over alpine lakes, Skippers Canyon and the remote Earnslaw Burn valley, then touch down on a snowy glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park. The small-group flight includes hotel transfers and pilot commentary. Past flights have featured pilots such as Luke, Alfie and Jeremy.

“Absolutely unreal experience!! Definitely worth it! Pilot was very knowledgeable about the area. Stopping on the mountain was just incredible!”

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New in Queenstown Lake Cruises

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