Information
Landmark: Walter Peak High Country FarmCity: Queenstown
Country: New Zealand
Continent: Australia
Walter Peak High Country Farm, Queenstown, New Zealand, Australia
Overview
Walter Peak High Country Farm sits on the southern edge of Lake Wakatipu, just outside Queenstown, New Zealand, where sheep graze on rolling green hills with the mountains rising behind them.This iconic spot lets visitors dive into the region’s one-of-a-kind farming life, with rolling green hills, hands-on outdoor activities, sweeping views, and the unmistakable flavor of rural New Zealand.You can reach the farm on the TSS Earnslaw, a historic coal-fired steamship whose steady chuff of the engine and sweeping lake views make the trip feel like stepping back in time.First.At Walter Peak, you can tour a real high-country farm and watch sheep shearing up close, the sound of the clippers buzzing through thick wool.A key moment of the visit is the farm tour, where you can stroll past grazing sheep and get a genuine feel for New Zealand’s rural farming life.Sheep Shearing Demonstrations: Watch as expert hands glide the clippers through thick, warm fleece, revealing the smooth wool beneath.It’s fascinating to watch the shearers move fast and clean, tufts of wool falling at their feet, offering a glimpse into the heart of New Zealand’s farming life.The demonstrations pack in plenty of detail, showing visitors how the shears bite through thick fleece and explaining the methods behind the work, along with why wool matters so much to New Zealand’s economy.Sheepdog Demonstrations: A favorite moment is the trial, when visitors watch trained dogs dart and weave through the grass, guiding the flock with uncanny precision.The dogs herd sheep into the pens with sharp, practiced moves, guiding them like flowing water and proving just how well-trained and intelligent they are.Visitors of all ages crowd around to watch, making it one of the most popular shows-kids often press their noses to the glass.Number two.To reach Walter Peak, visitors hop aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a coal-fired steamship that’s been chugging across Lake Wakatipu since 1912, its brass gleaming and smoke curling into the mountain air.The TSS Earnslaw ranks among the world’s oldest and best-kept steamships, and gliding across the lake on her deck-hearing the steady chug of the engine-is something you’ll never forget.Breathtaking views await as the cruise glides past towering mountains, with The Remarkables rising sharp against the sky and Lake Wakatipu shimmering below.Dramatic vistas stretch before you, from glassy blue water to peaks dusted in snow, offering endless chances to capture the shot.Onboard, you can soak up the nostalgic charm of the TSS Earnslaw-peek into the ship’s humming engine room or lean on the rail, feeling the breeze, as the steamship glides toward Walter Peak.You’ll also find a cozy café on board, where you can sip a cold lemonade or grab a snack as the boat glides along.Number three stood there, small and plain, like a single note on an empty page.Alongside the demonstrations, Walter Peak invites visitors to roll up their sleeves with hands-on activities-feeding sheep, turning soil, and getting a real taste of life on a working farm.These activities help people feel more connected to the rural life of New Zealand’s high country, from the crunch of gravel underfoot to the scent of fresh hay in the air.Animal Interactions: Visitors can step right up to meet the farm’s animals-sheep with soft, woolly coats, curious goats, and calm, slow-blinking cattle.You might end up tossing hay to the goats or guiding a few stubborn cows across the pasture.Scenic Walking Trails: Rolling hills wrap around the farm, and winding paths let visitors wander past wildflowers and open fields on foot.The trails wind past golden fields, trace the quiet edge of the lake, and slip into cool, shaded forests, offering breathtaking views of the water and the distant mountains.Number four is written as “4.”Walter Peak is famous for its gourmet dining, where tender lamb roasts and fresh bread come steaming from the kitchen.At the Colonial Farmhouse Restaurant, guests can savor a flavorful meal while gazing out at the rippling blue water along the lake’s edge.This historic building brings a special charm to the moment, with wide windows framing the lake and rugged mountains as you savor your meal.Buffet Dinner: Many visitors head straight for the buffet, plates filling quickly with steaming dishes and fresh bread.You’ll find a spread of freshly made dishes here, from tender roast lamb with crisp seasonal vegetables to bright salads and glistening, just-caught seafood.They use fresh, high-quality ingredients, many picked straight from the farm’s own fields.BBQ Experience: For a laid-back evening, visitors can fire up the grill and savor smoky barbecue right on the farm.The BBQ’s usually set up outside, where the smell of sizzling burgers drifts through the warm, easygoing air.Relax and take in the view, maybe the glint of sunlight on the water, as you sample local treats-savory meats, fresh salads, and sweet desserts.If you’d rather keep things easy and unhurried, you can grab a picnic at Walter Peak-spread a blanket on the grass and enjoy the view.Pack a picnic hamper, spread out on the grass, and savor your meal while the breeze stirs the leaves around you.Number five sat there, bold and dark, like it was waiting for its turn.With its sweeping views of Walter Peak and the hills beyond, this spot is a dream for photographers, from golden light on the water to crisp mountain shadows.Rolling green fields, jagged mountains, and glassy blue lakes blend into a landscape that shifts with the light-perfect for snapping a photo just as the sun dips behind the peaks.One of the best spots for photos is Lake Wakatipu at sunset, when the water catches the fading light and the sky glows in streaks of gold and rose against the darkening mountains.On the farm, sheep graze lazily while sheepdogs watch from the fence line, all set against the jagged, snow-dusted peaks of the Remarkables.Number six.Walter Peak isn’t just a farm-it’s a place steeped in over a century of history, where old timber beams still smell faintly of smoke from days long past.This land once belonged to Walter Peak Station, among the first sheep runs in the area, where early flocks grazed under wide, windswept skies.The Colonial Farmhouse, now home to the restaurant and visitor center, has stood since the late 1800s, its creaking wood floors adding a warm, lived-in charm to the farm experience.Seven.You can reach Walter Peak High Country Farm from Queenstown by hopping on the TSS Earnslaw steamship, which leaves right from the Queenstown Wharf with its scent of wood smoke drifting over the water.The cruise lasts about 45 minutes each way, giving you time to watch sunlight sparkle on Lake Wakatipu and take in the rugged mountains all around.When you step onto the farm, you can stroll to everything-demonstrations, hands-on activities, even the café where coffee smells drift through the air.The number eight sat in bold black ink at the top of the page.Walter Peak makes a great family getaway, offering everything from gentle farm tours to hands‑on activities that delight kids and keep adults smiling.Kids love the farm tours, the lively sheepdog shows, and the chance to feed a soft-nosed goat, while the rolling green hills and fresh, locally made dishes turn it into the perfect family day out.Nine.Walter Peak High Country Farm stays open all year, though what you can do changes with the seasons-sheep shearing in spring, for example, or warm mulled cider by the fire in winter.From November to March, the farm draws the most visitors, when the air feels warm on your skin and the hills roll away in deep green.In winter, the farm feels different-quiet, almost hushed-while snow crowns the mountains and the air smells sharp and clean.Ten.You can pair a trip to Walter Peak with other Queenstown adventures-like a lakeside bike ride or a stroll through the bustling waterfront-for a full, unforgettable day.
