Queenstown has lengthy been the jewel of New Zealand’s South Island. With its sprawling views over the Remarkables mountain vary to the intense blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, guests flock to Queenstown in droves. And nowhere is extra iconic than close by Walter Peak.
Living close by in Wanaka meant that I made the traditional mistake of not spending a lot time there as a vacationer, you realize, as a result of it’s proper there. Generally, I might head over the hill for conferences, see mates, or do a giant store at Kmart and PAK’nSAVE. Classic.
Bright and sparkly, there’s an infinite menu of adventures and events all evening lengthy accessible in Queenstown. It’s not a spot you would ever be bored. And now that I’ve returned to Wanaka after being away for a number of years, I’ve come to see Queenstown with contemporary eyes.
There’s nonetheless a lot to see and do right here that I’ve missed.
After listening to about it for years, I lastly managed to go to Walter Peak Station on the opposite aspect of the lake, not as soon as however twice just lately.
The stunning iconic Walter Peak sits at 1,800 meters tall, overlooking one of many coolest historic farmsteads within the space. The farm was based in 1860 and nonetheless operates as a 25,758-hectare working high-country sheep station. Doesn’t get extra South Island than this!
When my dad and stepmom from the US visited me just lately for the primary time, I knew I needed to take them out to Walter Peak for the enduring farm lunch; it’s so superb that locals and vacationers alike bask in it. To get out to Walter Peak, most individuals cross the lake on the historic steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. You can head over for a part of the day, with RealNZ taking all of it in. And you possibly can select from a number of totally different choices; simply the TSS Earnslaw cruise, farm excursions, horseback riding, and naturally, the well-known connoisseur BBQ lunch.
Now that I’ve been out to Walter Peak, I can safely say it’s positively the most effective day journey from Queenstown. With historical past, meals, tradition, views, nature, and cute furry cows, Walter Peak ticks all of the containers.
Boarding the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship within the heart of Queenstown, you’ll instantly be mesmerized by the lake’s shade. As you head northwards in direction of Walter Peak Station, you’ll get superb views of the city and the encompassing mountains. An Edwardian classic twin screw steamer, the Earnslaw is among the oldest vacationer sights within the area.
Like so many different alpine lakes within the space, Lake Wakatipu is brilliant blue. But in contrast to any of the opposite lakes, it has one thing much like a tide known as a seiche. The water degree rises and falls about ten centimeters each 25 minutes. A seiche is a standing wave in an enclosed physique of water. In Māori storytelling, that is the heartbeat of the large monster Matua, sleeping on the backside of the lake.
Ngāi Tahu Māori seasonally used the secluded bays round Lake Wakatipu to camp whereas exploring the close by Mararoa and Oreti Rivers, looking moa, and gathering pounamu (greenstone). Māori valued pounamu due to its robust and delightful coloring, excellent for weapons, instruments, and adornments. Even as we speak, it’s nonetheless a particular and highly effective stone right here.
As the TSS Earnslaw docks at Walter Peak Farm, you’ll instantly be captivated by the attractive red-roofed Colonel’s Homestead surrounded by gorgeous gardens.
Europeans started to settle round Queenstown and Walter Peak within the 1860s, across the similar time gold was found right here. Legend has it that Nicholas Von Tunzelmann misplaced a coin toss to William Rees on which aspect of the lake to settle. Von Tunzelmann ended up on the Walter Peak aspect, making an attempt to farm however failing shortly.
A number of many years later, the Mackenzie household took over Walter Peak Station and turned it round into a hit. Though, they did plant a whole bunch of pines across the homestead, which has develop into an actual drawback. In its heyday, Walter Peak sprawled almost 70,000 hectares with 40,000 sheep.
Last winter, I hopped on board the TSS Earnslaw to go over to Walter Peak for a day to assist replant native bushes throughout conservation week.
RealNZ have been conservation pioneers within the space for the reason that 50s and actively work on tasks to take care of our land and animals. Nearly a decade in the past, they launched the Walter Peak Land Restoration Project after shopping for the land across the homestead. Straight away, they started clearing the land of weeds and crops just like the invasive wilding pines, which destroy the pure habitat of native species. They unfold shortly over the encompassing mountains round Central Otago, at round 90,000 hectares a 12 months, dominating the landscaping and overpowering the native bush, making it one of many greatest weeds in New Zealand. But don’t fear; the attractive crops across the historic homestead stay untouched.
Over the years, they’ve replanted the panorama with many native bushes, like beech, kowhai, cabbage bushes, and rata. A public walkway was constructed alongside the shore, permitting guests to reconnect with the land accurately. And because it thrives, the birds will return.
It felt like coming full circle after returning to Walter Peak with my dad and mom just lately.
It was an ideal, sizzling summer season’s day once we cruised throughout Lake Wakatipu earlier than touchdown on the homestead. Wandering via the gardens, we finally made our approach as much as the outside patio for an epic bbq lunch. Spoiler alert – skip breakfast so you possibly can take full benefit of the bottomless buffet.
Afterward, we meandered across the space earlier than watching a farm present of how they shear the sheep and the way the sheep canine work. Smart working canine won’t ever not impress me. Fat, full, and completely happy, we finally boarded the Earnslaw earlier than heading again to Queenstown within the late afternoon. Perfect day journey from Queenstown full!
Have you been to Walter Peak earlier than? Would you be eager to go to? Share.
Many due to RealNZ for internet hosting me at Walter Peak – like at all times, I’m retaining it actual. All opinions are my very own, and like you would count on much less from me.