Evening Champagne Cruise on Historic 1935 Motor Yacht.

Lake Te Anau’s evening light feels even more special from the deck of Faith, a 1935 Scottish motor yacht that still motors and sails across the lake. I like the small scale of this outing, and I like that the boat itself is the main attraction, not just a platform for scenery. Captain Adam and crew members such as Sophie, Paul, Nina, and Jenny have brought warmth, stories, and even bagpipes to different departures.

The main consideration is the weather. You need a jacket, and the cruise may change or be cancelled in poor conditions. The canapés are generous, but one vegetarian diner found the choices unclear, so mention dietary needs when booking.

Key details at a glance

• A working piece of 1930s craftsmanship: Faith is a historic Scottish motor yacht, carefully maintained and still used on the lake.
• A small, social cruise: The lower passenger numbers create a calm setting for conversation and personal attention.
• Champagne, drinks, and canapés included: Complimentary drinks are unlimited, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices available.
• You can help with the boat: Depending on conditions and the crew, you may steer, raise sails, or take part as a temporary deckhand.
• A quiet cove and evening sailing: The route includes time anchored in shelter, followed by motoring or sailing across Lake Te Anau.
• Ninety minutes with strong value: At $86 per person, you get a scenic cruise, refreshments, a boat tour, and live guiding in one compact outing.

Boarding Faith at Te Anau’s historic wharf

You meet at the charming historic wharf in Te Anau and should arrive 15 minutes before departure. There is no transport included, so you need to make your own way to the wharf. That is easy enough if you are staying in town, but it matters if you are based farther out or planning a tight connection with another activity.

The first few minutes are spent taking in Faith herself. This is not a modern sightseeing boat with rows of identical seats. The yacht has the feel of a preserved private vessel, with the woodwork, fittings, and proportions of another era. You can tour parts of the boat and hear how she made her way from the United Kingdom to New Zealand.

That background gives the cruise a purpose beyond looking at the water. You are not simply being carried around Lake Te Anau. You are spending the evening aboard an old boat that requires care, upkeep, and a crew who clearly take pride in keeping her in use.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, which is useful information for anyone comparing lake cruises. Still, an old yacht may have areas that are less straightforward to reach than a modern vessel. If you need specific access arrangements, ask before arrival.

Leaving shore with champagne and stories

Once Faith gets underway, the pace is gentle. The boat motors across Lake Te Anau while the crew introduces the yacht and points out the setting around you. English is the tour language, and the live guiding is a central part of the experience.

Captain Adam is frequently named as a warm and engaging host, though other crew members, including Paul, Sophie, Nina, Jenny, and Kevin, have also led or supported departures. You may hear different stories depending on who is aboard. That is part of the appeal of a family-operated cruise, but it also means the exact style of commentary can vary.

The drinks are complimentary and unlimited. Champagne is the obvious choice for the occasion, but the available selection also includes wine, tea, coffee, and other drinks. You can settle into the evening without watching the bar tab, which helps the $86 price feel more reasonable.

Canapés are served during the cruise. The food has been described as a selection of sweet and savoury bites, with one account noting six canapés and another calling them ample. This is not a full dinner, so eat beforehand if you need a substantial meal. For most people, the food should work well as an early evening snack.

Dietary requirements can be accommodated if you ask. I would be specific when booking, especially if you need vegetarian food. One passenger found the vegetarian option less obvious than expected, so do not assume the selection will be clear without speaking to the crew.

The appeal of a 1935 motor yacht

The strongest reason to book this cruise is Faith. Lake Te Anau has several ways to see its water and surrounding scenery, but this experience gives you a closer connection to the vessel itself.

The yacht’s age is not just a number in the description. The boat was built in 1935, when design focused on craftsmanship, comfort, and detail rather than mass production. The crew talk about her journey from Scotland and the work involved in preserving her. You get a sense of the boat as an ongoing project, not a museum object sealed behind glass.

I also like that the crew invites participation. You may get a chance to steer, help raise the sails, or act as a deckhand for a while. The exact opportunity depends on the conditions and the crew’s judgment, but the possibility makes the cruise more engaging than simply sitting in a seat and taking photographs.

One passenger particularly enjoyed steering and helping with the sails. Another ended up with a temporary deckhand role. These are small moments, but they turn the outing into something you take part in rather than simply watch.

A sheltered cove and the quiet middle of the cruise

A highlight of the evening is the stop in a sheltered cove. Faith anchors, the engine falls quiet, and you have time to enjoy the canapés and drinks without the vibration of the motor underfoot.

This pause gives the cruise a useful rhythm. The first part introduces the yacht and the lake. The cove creates space to eat, talk, and look around. Then the boat gets moving again, often with the sails raised for the return journey.

The sheltered setting also suits the mood of the cruise. You are not being rushed from one landmark to another. There is no long list of stops to tick off. Instead, the value comes from the combination of still water, a historic boat, low passenger numbers, and an unhurried evening.

The quiet can feel especially welcome after a busy day in Fiordland. If you have spent the day walking, driving, or preparing for a major national park excursion, this is a softer way to experience the area. It asks very little of you beyond arriving on time and bringing a warm layer.

Motoring, sailing, and the changing evening light

Faith is both a motor yacht and a sailing boat. The crew may motor across the lake at the start, then unfurl the sails for part of the return. When the wind cooperates, the transition changes the character of the outing. The engine noise gives way to the slower, smoother movement of the boat under sail.

The exact sunset timing depends on the season and departure time. The experience description promises golden evening light and sunset views, but the weather may affect how dramatic the colours are. Do not book this expecting a guaranteed postcard sunset. Book it for the atmosphere, with the light as a welcome extra.

Lake Te Anau’s scale helps here. The water gives you broad views and plenty of room for the boat to feel separate from the shore. The surrounding Fiordland setting provides the backdrop, but Faith remains the focus.

On some evenings, Captain Adam has played bagpipes aboard the yacht. That is not something I would treat as a guaranteed part of every departure, but it shows how personal and informal the cruise can become. The boat’s Scottish connection makes the music a fitting touch when it happens.

Why the small group matters

The lower passenger numbers are one of the clearest advantages of this cruise. You have more space to move around the boat, and it is easier to speak with the crew. Conversations can cover Faith’s past, her restoration, the lake, and the surrounding Fiordland area.

A larger lake cruise may give you more room or a bigger viewing deck, but it can feel like a sightseeing transfer. Faith offers the opposite experience. You share the boat with a smaller group, chat with other people, and have a better chance of being noticed when you want to ask a question or help with a task.

That intimacy will not suit everyone. If you prefer to keep to yourself, the social atmosphere may feel more involved than a standard cruise. If you enjoy meeting people and hearing the stories behind a place, it is a strong match.

The crew’s attitude is important. Captain Adam is described as attentive and friendly, and the wider team has been praised for making people feel at home. The service is part of what you are paying for. This is not a self-guided boat ride with drinks placed on a table. The staff actively host the evening.

What the $86 price includes

At $86 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to get onto Lake Te Anau. You are paying more than a basic transport ride because the price includes the historic yacht, live guiding, unlimited complimentary drinks, canapés, and the chance to take part in the boat’s operation.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a drink, a meal, and a standard lake cruise. Here, those pieces are combined into a 90-minute outing. You also get the boat tour and the personal stories, which are difficult to compare directly with a larger commercial cruise.

The duration is short enough to fit into an evening without taking over your day. It works well as a final activity before dinner or as a relaxed way to finish a stay in Te Anau. The drawback is that 90 minutes passes quickly. If you want a long day on the lake, this is not the right product.

There is also no transportation included. Add the cost and time of reaching the historic wharf if you are not staying nearby. The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Fiordland plans depend on weather.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend Faith to couples, honeymooners, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a personal outing over a large sightseeing boat. It has a romantic feel without being limited to couples. A family group in one account included a young adult, and everyone took part in the evening.

It is also a good choice for people interested in boats, restoration, and local stories. The scenery matters, but you should not book this only for a view of Lake Te Anau. The old yacht and the crew’s presentation are just as important.

You may prefer another activity if you need a full meal, want guaranteed sailing, or dislike weather-dependent plans. The cruise is outdoors, and a jacket is essential even on a warm afternoon. The lake can feel cool once the sun drops.

The wheelchair-accessible status is helpful, but ask about your particular needs before arrival. That is sensible with any historic vessel, especially if you need to move between different areas of the boat.

Practical tips for a better evening

Arrive 15 minutes early at the Te Anau wharf. That gives you time to find the meeting point, settle aboard, and look at the yacht before departure.

Bring a jacket, even if the afternoon is mild. The cruise runs into the evening, and you may spend time on deck while the boat is moving or anchored.

Tell the provider about dietary needs in advance. The standard canapés include sweet and savoury items, but vegetarian diners should confirm exactly what will be available.

Keep your expectations flexible around the sailing and sunset. Faith may motor, sail, or combine both, depending on conditions. The cruise is weather dependent, so the best evening is one where you are willing to enjoy the boat and company even if the sky does not produce a perfect sunset.

If you want to steer or help with the sails, ask politely when the crew is ready. The opportunity is offered at their discretion, since safety and conditions come first.

Should you book Faith?

Book this cruise if you want a quieter, more personal evening on Lake Te Anau and like the idea of a historic boat being part of the attraction. The combination of Faith, unlimited drinks, canapés, sailing, and friendly hosts gives you more substance than a simple sunset ride.

Skip it if you want a long excursion, a guaranteed sail, or a full dinner. For everyone else, $86 is a fair price for a well-hosted 90-minute experience, especially if the chance to steer, raise the sails, or hear the yacht’s story matters to you. I would place it high on a Te Anau itinerary, particularly as a memorable final evening in Fiordland.

FAQ

Where does the Champagne Cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Te Anau’s historic wharf. You should arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 90 minutes.

What is the price?

The listed price is $86 per person.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes entrance fees, complimentary unlimited drinks, and canapés. Transportation to the wharf is not included.

What drinks are available?

Champagne is included, along with a selection of other drinks. Tea and coffee are also available.

Can I help steer or sail the yacht?

You may have the chance to help steer, raise the sails, or take part as a deckhand. This depends on the crew and weather conditions.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.