Walter Peak Farm — Attraction in South Island

I did the horse trek (horseback ride) here today. On the positive side, the trail itself was stunning and the horses appeared well cared for (hence the stars). However, poor management of this experience means I cannot recommend it.

I grew up in Kentucky around horses, and have gone on scores of guided trails across 11 countries and 4 continents. But today's ride was the first time I had the following 3 negative experiences:

1. Rude & gruff guide: The guide, a blonde woman from NZ, never once smiled or even introduced herself to the riders. She appeared very unhappy to be doing her job, and created an environment in which talking with her or making polite requests felt difficult. Her main interest seemed to be getting us in and out as fast as possible, more like a drill sergeant than a riding guide.

2. Unreliable horses & dangerous horse assignments: This was a trail for complete beginners that proceeded very slowly (the guide actually didn't even join us on horseback & just walked the whole time, which is something I've never seen before & created a weird vibe). Strangely for this kind of a beginner-centric experience, the horses were (a) unusually unresponsive to the standard international directions, & (b) highly likely to kick one another.

The guide placed a total beginner rider in front of me on a horse that she repeatedly said will kick other horses if they get too close. That seemed like an unwise & potentially dangerous decision. The guide's stress around the fact that these horses apparently kick eachother very easily made her pass that stress onto the riders, spending much of the trail time telling us to back the horses up or move them apart. The horses were more unresponsive than usual, and the guide in turn blamed the riders. To back my horse up, I of course held the reins taut and pulled back. The guide said that I was holding the reins too loose, but I felt that if I'd pulled harder I might have hurt or angered the horse.

The guide seemed similarly unhappy when I intentionally made my horse, Alice, fall back 3 yards from the kicking horse in front of it. She’d instructed me to keep my horse farther back, and created a lot of stress around the kicking, then kept telling me to speed Alice up even though I was not holding anyone in the group up or falling too far behind. It felt as if the guide almost enjoyed berating people.

The whole scenario was unlike anything I'd ever seen on another trail, where horses were more responsive, and the guides were incomparably kinder & better at basic management (don't put total beginners on horses that kick if others get too close).

3. Poor photo opportunity compared to the stunning scenery of the trail: This is not an experience to choose if you want to come away with beautiful photos--which you absolutely should because this is the single most gorgeous trail I've ever been on in my life. The guide allowed for exactly one photo opportunity: at a place that wasn't in the top ten most beautiful spots we saw on the trail. On other treks I've done, guides take many photos & create an atmosphere where participants are encouraged to ask if they want more photos of themselves, or to a pause to take photos of the scenery. It was also possible on most other treks for more experienced riders to do the photographing for eachother by walking their horses alongside that of their friend & taking the pic. Because the guide strictly disallowed any deviation whatsoever from the line formation, and because she seemed very afraid that the horses would start kicking eachother if that happened, that was not possible. So we were totally reliant on her, and she was not interested in being people's photographer. I'd understand that more if she hadn't been walking us so slowly on foot the whole time through one of the world's most stunning horse treks. But it was a real shame that our ability to capture memories from that beauty was so limited.

In sum, a 2. But w/ better management this could...

Title: An Unforgettable Tranquil Retreat

Review: It's not often one stumbles upon an experience that perfectly captures a region's spirit and leaves an indelible mark on your memory. Walter Peak Farm in Queenstown is precisely one such hidden gem.

Providing an authentic blend of natural majesty and immersive hands-on experiences, this farm is an outstanding testament to New Zealand's agricultural heritage. The cruise across Lake Wakatipu is just the cherry on top. The TSS Earnslaw steamship augments the journey with an old-world charm, majestically slicing through the crystalline waters, surrounded by breathtaking panoramic vistas.

Stepping foot onto the farm, one is immediately enveloped in tranquillity courtesy of its sprawling green pastures and cheerful resident animals. The high country farm tour is insightful, exposing visitors to the heart of farming practices while providing close encounters with sheep, cows, and deer.

The friendliness and warmth of the staff are unparalleled, creating a uniquely welcoming atmosphere. They conduct captivating sheepdog demonstrations and sheep shearing presentations and relay an abundance of knowledge about the farm's inner workings.

One can't discuss Walter Peak without mentioning the mouthwatering BBQ lunch. The cuisine pays homage to local produce, cooked to perfection, and leaving your taste buds dancing.

Walter Peak Farm is not merely a visit; it's an immersive venture into the quintessential Kiwi culture and countryside. It transcends the typical tourist attraction, delivering an interactive, educationally rich, and wholesome adventure. A must-do - Walter Peak deserves well...

I do not recommend this one to anyone who doesn't eat meat. We went there thinking there wouldn't be too much for us to choose from as vegetarians but because everyone told us how good it was we decided to go anyway. The boat ride over was quite pleasant with a lot of history and it was interesting seeing how the old steam ships operated. However, it was very crowded, all the tables were full and because we boarded a bit late we had to sit outside in the cold wind. Make sure you get there a bit earlier to ensure you get a seat.

The views both on the lake going to the restaurant and of the restaurant itself were very beautiful. The restaurant was well kept and nicely decorated, and the staff were friendly and polite.

Really our only issue with the trip (other han how busy it was) was the fact that there was no vegetarian food options. The only things to eat that didn't contain meat was a salad (made of iceberg lettuce, nuts, and peas), a few steamed veggies, and bread. Even their pasta salad was filled with meat. We did hear some people come up to the chefs during the meal and tell them that it was the best meat they have ever had. So I think the meat was the primary focus of the meal. Good for those who like meat, not so for those who don't.

Desert was quite delicious though, and you can get desert at any time so when we saw that there was almost nothing for us to eat we finished our bread (which was quite good by the way) and went straight for the desert section.

All up I would recommend this trip to anyone who likes...