While looking for a unique dinner to remember, we found a fantastic opportunity. A tour company located in Queenstown was selling tickets for a scenic cruise across lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamboat, TSS Earnslaw. The tour included a bbq buffet at Walter Peak High Country Farms. Thinking it was to great of an opportunity to pass up, we decided to go.
Not only was the TSS Earnslaw built in 1912, it currently is considered important for another reason. In fact, it is the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the Southern Hemisphere. On our trip to Walter Peak, we had drinks and listened to music. we also watched them fuel the ship with coal. After making the short journey over to High Country Farms, we were treated to a BBQ buffet at the Colonel’s Homestead restaurant.
The bbq consisted of many of the vegetables , as well as, many of animals that are grown and raised on the farm and in New Zealand. With a multitude of salads, seafood, meats and desserts, finding something to suit one’s tastes is a cinch. One of the most interesting offerings we found on the buffet was venison ribs. They were definitely unique, and quite tasty. Not only were the grounds gorgeous, the weather was perfect. That allowed us to spend the evening walking the grounds and enjoying our visit. For the after dinner entertainment, we watched a sheep shearing demonstration by a farm hand. Not only was it hilarious, it was quite educational.
