Category Lake Wakatipu Boat Trips

Queenstown · LAKE WAKATIPU BOAT TRIPS

The 15 Best Lake Wakatipu Cruises

28 tours

The lake rises and falls five centimetres every twenty-seven minutes, and the local story explains it better than the science does. These 15 cruises run from a ninety-minute loop off Steamer Wharf to the old coal steamer crossing to Walter Peak with dinner at the far end.

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise - TSS Earnslaw vs Spirit of Queenstown: Choosing the Right Dining Cruise

1.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

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

Queenstown’s Walter Peak BBQ cruise bundles a Lake Whakatipu ride, wood-fired gourmet buffet, and a farm dog and sheep show.

“The whole trip was excellent a lovely trip on the steam boat followed by a delicious varied lunch and then a very interesting talk and display of sheep shearing. Would thoroughly recommend.”

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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise - The 2-hour route: Mitre Peak, the lighthouse, then deeper into the fiord

2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise - The 2-Hour Route, From Milford Sound to the Open Ocean

3.2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,520 reviews · from $104Highest rated

2-hour Milford Sound scenic cruise on a smaller boat, see Mitre Peak and waterfalls, spot fur seals and penguins, free tea or coffee.

“This is the 2nd time I’ve taken family members on this cruise. The Captain took great pride and care to entertain us and explore Milford Sound. Because Mitre Peak Cruises uses smaller vessels, they are able to get up close and personal with wildlife and demonstrations. Ever ride a cruise boat bow under a waterfall? We did! See a mother fur seal with her pup? We did! How about a Crested Penguin? We saw one also! Great explanations, interesting facts and information regarding history and biodiversity. Ask and see why the color of the water changes from inside the sound and the Tasman Sea. I would highly recommend this cruise…”

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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes) - Photo Ops That Feel Real, Not Forced

4.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

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

Enjoy a 90-minute Lake Wakatipu cruise from Queenstown with live captain commentary, photo stops, and heated comfort plus optional drinks.

“Relaxing, informative and entertaining. Excellent value for money. A very friendly and welcoming captain and assistant.”

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Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu - Exploring the Engine Room Without Rushing

5.TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

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

Ride the historic TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu. Explore the engine room, learn ship history, and enjoy mountain views for 90 minutes.

“nothing to improve. An experience of a lifetime. Awesome, thanks everyone for making it such a wonderful time. I loved every minute. 😁”

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Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise - Lake Wakatipu crossing: seats, steam, and quick photos

6.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

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

Ride the vintage TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak for a gourmet BBQ lunch, sheep herding show, and Lake Wakatipu views.

“The boat is busy but comfortable- make sure you head downstairs and take a look in the engine room! The barbecue was fantastic; definitely worth knowing that you can go up as many times as you like rather than loading your plate sky high. The farm show was actually the highlight for me; good banter, great demonstrations and just the right amount of time.”

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Queenstown: Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

Queenstown: Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour - Cruising the Lake Whakatipu on TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown - Milford Sound and Piopiotahi: the fjord time you actually remember

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown - Milford Sound and Piopiotahi: the fjord time you actually remember

10.Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 547 reviews · from $197

13-hour Milford Sound day tour from Queenstown with glass-roof coach, WiFi, picnic lunch, and a scenic cruise.

“The boat trip is awsome - the scenery on the way up & the coach driver’s comments were really good - but if you do get motion sickness make sure you take something or sit at the front of the bus - we were at the back & I haven’t gotten motion sickness since I was a kid - but felt pretty ordinary for a lot of the coach trip (even though i still loved it )”

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Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Adventure

Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Adventure - Arriving at Walter Peak: What the Farm Time Feels Like

Luxury Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise

Luxury Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise - The Queenstown morning setup: meeting point, timing, and group size

12.Luxury Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 304 reviews · from $214

Luxury coach and cruise from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with Fiordland scenic stops, wildlife spotting, and a wet-weather friendly waterfall cruise.

“Trip was well planned. We stayed at a hotel where they could pick us, and it all went well thereafter. Fuss free from with the long ride to the boat ride. No need to worry on tickets and parking. Picnic lunches were provided. Well times toilet breaks and quick bites. Dropped us back to our hotel after thr trip. Good experience.”

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TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Steamship Cruise from Queenstown

TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Steamship Cruise from Queenstown - Engine room time and the forecastle museum: the real highlight

Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise - Getting On: Main Jetty Start and a Comfortable Small-Group Boat

14.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

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

A 90-minute Lake Wakatipu cruise from Queenstown with panoramic views of the Remarkables, local stories, and a licensed bar for drinks.

“Beautiful cruise at a reasonable price and perfect time frame. Troy was a great guide but the sound system could be louder.”

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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight - Skippers Canyon and the Rees Valley: the views that set the tone

15.Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

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

Queenstown helicopter flight over Skippers Canyon and Mt Aspiring glaciers, with Earnslaw Burn hanging glacier and a possible ice landing.

“Amazing! Couldn’t have asked for any better, Luke our pilot was incredible- knowledgable, funny and made us feel very safe. The views were out of this world, one of the best moments of our month trip!”

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