Walter Peak High Country Farm Gardens
★★★★
These beautiful gardens were started in the 1870s when two of the region’s oldest introduced trees were planted – the Sycamore and Oak, which are now protected. A native Kauri tree was also planted there in the 1960s and, in the decades since, the gardens have gradually evolved and been enhanced.
Accessed via a picturesque journey across Lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw Cruise, Walter Peak High Country Farm Garden is a unique garden to visit with plenty of extras added to the experience. Alongside the renowned gardens, Walter Peak comprises a significant homestead and surrounding farmland with a rich history. Take the TSS Earnslaw over to explore the gardens and grounds with a guided, family-friendly farm tour. Enjoy a beautiful afternoon tea served in the Mackenzie Room or a lakeside Gourmet Barbecue Lunch or Dinner inside the adoring homestead.
The history
In the late 1880s, the Mackenzie family took over Walter Peak and quickly got to work making improvements to the buildings and the land. The family was responsible for planting most of the renowned gardens and building the homestead. The Mackenzies farmed the area for 80 years, in doing so transforming the inhospitable land into a thriving business. In its prime, Walter Peak station covered more than 170,000 acres, ran 40,000 sheep, and employed 50 staff. The merino wool from these sheep would top the London wool sales for New Zealand and Australia on three occasions during the 1930s and would also win first prize at the prestigious Wembley Exhibition.
What’s included in the gardens?
The Kauri tree (Agathis australis) on the main lawn is most likely the southernmost specimen in the country as this native tree is usually confined to the temperate-sub tropical upper regions of the North Island.
Covered in red/pink beak-like flowers from mid-spring to summer are two Kaka Beak shrubs (Clianthus puniceus). This species is critically endangered and normally only found in the North Island.
In late winter, the garden is abundant with white Snowdrops and various types of Narcissus, which multiply every year and are in flower 2-4 weeks before the rest of Queenstown.
A diverse display of tulips follows. Big mature specimens of Rhododendron and Camelia are a mass of colour and are one of the first things that will catch your eye.
From late spring into summer, a mix of Shrub, Floribunda and Hybrid tea roses that have been inter-planted come into bloom.
Self-seeded Delphinium, Hollyhock and Foxglove flower from summer into autumn. Late summer, Oriental Lilies and Dahlias are in flower adding bold attractive colours to the garden.
Noteworthy trees in autumn are the various Japanese Acers, Oriental Cherries and the Liquidambars which change to red, copper, and yellow.
Since 2014 there has been an intensive planting of native trees after the wilding pines on Beach Point were removed to restore the area to a combination of native plants (Red beech, Mountain beech, Coprosmas, Phormium cookianums, Ozoythamnus and Hebes) and pastures which are now grazed.
Facilities and Amenities
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Walter Peak gardens at Walter Peak High Country Farm can only be visited as part of the Walter Peak High Country Farm experience, and tour options are available through Real Journeys. All tours include a return scenic cruise on the TSS Earnslaw.
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Walter Peak gardens at Walter Peak High Country Farm can only be visited as part of the Walter Peak High Country Farm experience, and tour options are available through Real Journeys.
All tours include a return scenic cruise on the TSS Earnslaw.
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Physical Address: Walter Peak High Country Station, , Queenstown
Phone: 0800 656501
Email: contact@realjourneys.co.nz
Website: https://www.realjourneys.co.nz/en/destinations/queenstown/
