Thursday, March 2, 2023.

On my second full day in Queenstown, New Zealand, I elected to visit Walter Peak High Country Farm, which is on the western shore of Lake Wakatipu. To get there, tourists take a steamboat trip on the TSS Earnslaw, a.k.a. “The Lady of the Lake.” The boat provides a snack bar, a pianist tickling the ivories, and a splendid view of the surrounding mountains.

Walter Peak offers an optional barbecue, so, to partake of the local Kiwi cuisine, I took the 11:00 a.m. trip. The ride lasts about 30 minutes. Here we are approaching the farm:

Here’s the view from the restaurant towards Queenstown:

The barbecue was presented buffet style, and prepaid by the ticket. Drinks were optional and one had to pay extra for those.

Next came the farm experience show, presented on a nearby stage. Here, the presenter shows the sheep prior to shearing. The roundup dog just lies there. He’s seen it all before.

Buzzzzzzzzz.

Finished.

The sheep is then placed in a small enclosure at the back of the stage.

In the second half of the presentation, a canopy opens up for a wider view of the hill where the flock is grazing, scattered about. The roundup dog corrals them down toward the stage area.

After the show, we boat back to Queenstown.

Here’s a downshot of the steam engine apparatus:

And a shot of the snack bar on the upper deck:

Entering Queenstown Bay, passing the Crowne Plaza Queenstown, with the Skyline Queenstown Gondola ride on the mountain.

The ship captain bids us a good day and we disembark after a fun trip.

Late that afternoon, I visit the Kiwi Park, next to the Skyline entrance. Alas, the Kiwis–being nocturnal birds–are kept in dark enclosures. No photography allowed. The park does have other interesting birds on display.

I return to my lodgings and thus ended my last full day in Queenstown.