
Last updated on February 8th, 2025
What I have learned rather quickly while researching what to do in Queenstown is the sheer volume of activity options available. An experience that I discovered both independently and recommended to me by strangers was the Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining experience by RealNZ. This caught my attention because it offers two things I really enjoy: the first being a way to explore Queenstown and the surrounding areas by boat, and the second being food. I ended up booking this experience for my mother and I on our date of arrival, and it turned out to be a great way to start our time in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Arrival
To begin the experience, you are instructed to meet at the local dock for the TSS Earnslaw. This was rather convenient as it’s in the center of Queenstown, and I booked our accommodation only 800m away. When we arrived, the boat was just pulling up to the dock, and it felt like we were being transported back in time.
Historical TSS Earnslaw Steamship
I didn’t expect myself to be so impressed with the TSS Earnslaw, which was originally constructed in 1911, making it one of the oldest working steamships in the Southern Hemisphere. On the ship, we were transported 45 minutes to the Walter Peak Farm. During the journey, we had a chance to explore both the ship and all of its viewing areas. It was even possible to visit the engine room, which was honestly quite interesting and steamy warm.
Walter Peak Farm
Once we arrived at the Walter Peak Farm, we were ushered to tables of our choosing. A lot of people moved fast and got the best seats before we had a chance. We secured a table a little bit inside the restaurant, which was still nice, and closer to the buffet, which was served based on groupings to make it not so overrun. We were one of the first tables to enjoy the buffet and this was good because we were hungry!
BBQ Buffet Dinner in Queenstown
The main draw of this experience for me was initially the food. On the buffet, they had a wide variety of land and seafood to choose from as well as side dishes, such as salads, and of course desserts. Once we made our first selections, we were allowed to revisit the buffet as many times as we desired and enjoy the stunning views. Overall, I enjoyed the food!
Queenstown Farm Show
A part of the evening that was completely unexpected to me was the Farm Show. Just the name made me curious about what was in store for us. It turns out it was a show consisting of a staff member showing us how to shear a sheep as well as herd the sheep with a border collie. This turned out to be the most memorable part of the entire experience and was truly heartwarming and a delight to watch. I personally love animals so much.
Return to Queenstown by Boat
A few hours after all of the activities were wrapping up, we hopped back aboard the TSS Earnslaw and headed for the dock in the center of Queenstown. While aboard, we enjoyed a stunning view of the sunset, which lit up the sky with color.
Conclusion
I knew even before I arrived that I would enjoy this experience, and it turns out I did. I even ended up liking parts of it, such as the farm show, that that I didn’t even realize it included. The whole thing was very well organized, and although there were a large number of people, there were only a few times where it felt a bit overwhelming. These were at the beginning while boarding the boat, and the initial arrival at the Walter Peak Farm. All in all, the whole Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining in Queenstown experience was fun, tasty, and a great way to experience Queenstown and local Kiwi hospitality!
Get a special price on the dinner here.