Real Journey's planned $20 million Walter Peak upgrade

Queenstown-based tourism company Real Journeys will spend $20 million upgrading its facilities at Walter Peak High Country Farm.

It has applied for resource consent to build a new amphitheatre for the farm demonstrations provided to visitors who arrive on the historic TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown.

Chief executive Richard Lauder said the amphitheatre would complement the natural landscape and be discreetly set into the contours of the land.

The historic Ardmore House will be restored to create a new restaurant and conference/events facility along with a multi-denominational chapel with views across Lake Wakatipu.

Lauder said the company had constant demand for conferences and weddings at Walter Peak, particularly during summer, but had been unable to cater for them without displacing other guests. 

Since acquiring the land in 2013, Real Journeys have upgraded the Colonel's Homestead Restaurant, kitchen facilities and the food offering.

The company has also begun providing its Walter Peak gourmet barbecue dining year-round and the additional facilities would create a number of new jobs.

Existing staff accommodation will be upgraded and extended to eventually cater for up to 50 workers. 

Much of Walter Peak's existing infrastructure will also be replaced, he said.

The company has also undertaken the award-winning Walter Peak Land Restoration Project which has so far planted over 6000 native shrubs and trees after removing thousands of tonnes of invasive wilding pines that were spreading across the region.

A new working kitchen garden is proposed as well as landscaping to an extended farmyard, more native planting and a children's playground.

Building was expected to start on the amphitheatre, the first stage of the plan, when the TSS Earnslaw goes on survey in May and should be complete in time for the summer season.