Walter Peak

A commanding 1800m high, Walter Peak is regularly visited by the TSS Earnslaw steamship as it ferries passengers to the base of the mountain to experience Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Legend has it adventurous pioneers William Rees and Nicholas Von Tunzelman flipped a coin for which side of the lake to settle on in the late 1850s. Rees got the Queenstown side and Von Tunzelman Walter Peak.
In the late 1880s, the Mackenzie family took over the region and farmed the area for 80 years, establishing the Colonel’s Homestead in 1908. Unfortunately, the fire damaged the iconic building in 1977, and it was then carefully reconstructed.

Fast forward to 2014, when Real NZ initiated an ambitious conservation effort known as the Walter Peak Land Restoration Project. This endeavour began after the acquisition of the farmland surrounding Colonel’s Homestead. In an ecological feat, the project involved clearing 155 hectares of invasive non-native trees and weeds, creating space for the restoration of pockets of native bush. Additionally, a scenic walkway was meticulously crafted, offering visitors a mesmerizing journey through this revitalized landscape.
Today, this stunning route not only allows visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history of the high country farm but also presents the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely ride aboard the iconic TSS Earnslaw, making for a truly unforgettable experience.