Information
Landmark: TSS EarnslawCity: Queenstown
Country: New Zealand
Continent: Australia
TSS Earnslaw, Queenstown, New Zealand, Australia
Overview
The TSS Earnslaw, a coal-fired steamship launched in 1912, has puffed its way across New Zealand’s waters for over a century, becoming a proud and lasting symbol of the country’s heritage.Nicknamed the “Lady of the Lake,” the TSS Earnslaw still glides across the water, its polished brass and gleaming woodwork marking it as one of the oldest and best-preserved steamships anywhere.It runs on Lake Wakatipu, offering peaceful cruises past snow-dusted peaks and giving visitors to Queenstown a touch of old-world charm.Let’s take a closer look at the TSS Earnslaw-its history, its charm, and why it matters.History and Heritage: In 1912, the TSS Earnslaw rolled out of Dunedin’s Harland and Wolff shipyard, a builder famous for crafting massive vessels that loomed like steel giants over the docks.It first carried passengers, crates of goods, and even bleating sheep along Lake Wakatipu’s shoreline, connecting the far-flung farming settlements to the bustle of Queenstown.The Earnslaw’s main job was to ferry settlers, farmers, and traders across the lake, hauling livestock and crates of supplies along with them.They called the ship “Earnslaw” after Earnslaw Station, a sprawling sheep farm near Glenorchy, where cool mountain air drifts down to the head of Lake Wakatipu.In its early years, the ship ferried visitors into the region, carrying them past rocky cliffs and quiet bays, helping open the area to tourism.Number two.The TSS Earnslaw is a steam-powered vessel, its riveted steel hull and polished brass fittings standing as a striking example of early 20th‑century engineering.The ship stretches 43 meters (141 feet) from bow to stern and spans 8.5 meters (28 feet) across at its widest point.It tips the scales at about 320 tons, roughly the weight of a fully loaded passenger jet.Steam Engine: The Earnslaw runs on a coal-fired steam engine, its pistons churning in plain view behind gleaming glass panels.You can step into the steam engine room and watch engineers shovel coal into the roaring fire-a gritty, mesmerizing moment in the trip.Classic Design: This vessel carries a true Edwardian look, with broad wooden decks underfoot, gleaming brass fittings that catch the light, and an enduring elegance that speaks to its storied past.Number three sits quietly on the page, a small curve and a sharp point like a hook catching light.The TSS Earnslaw is best known for its cruises across Lake Wakatipu, where clear blue water mirrors snow-capped peaks and the air smells faintly of pine.From the deck, you can soak in Queenstown’s beauty-the jagged peaks of The Remarkables, the glassy sweep of Lake Wakatipu, and everything in between.The cruise usually runs from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm, a favorite spot perched on the quiet southern shores of Lake Wakatipu.It’s about a 45‑minute trip each way, giving you time to take in the sparkle of the lake and the rugged sweep of the mountains.Passengers can soak in sweeping views of the mountains-The Remarkables and Coronet Peak rising sharply in the distance-and the glassy blue shimmer of Lake Wakatipu below.Onboard, the TSS Earnslaw carries you back in time, its polished brass gleaming beneath warm lamplight.Passengers can soak up the ship’s rich history in its warm, polished wooden rooms, step into the engine room to watch the steam engine chug to life, or lean on the rail and let the wind carry in the view.Number four sat scrawled in thick black ink across the page.Beyond its scenic cruises, the TSS Earnslaw also anchors some of the region’s best-loved adventures-like the trip to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where visitors step off the boat to meet woolly sheep and watch sheepdogs at work.When you arrive at Walter Peak, you can join a farm tour with sheep shearing in full, wool-flying action, watch sharp-eyed dogs herd a flock, and even feed the friendly goats and lambs.Guests can sit down to a rich, gourmet dinner at the Colonial Farmhouse Restaurant, where the scent of fresh herbs drifts in from the kitchen.Private Charters: You can book the TSS Earnslaw for your own event-whether it’s a wedding with music spilling over the deck, a lively conference, or any special celebration.Its old-world charm and one-of-a-kind setting draw people in, making it a favorite spot for private gatherings-imagine candlelight flickering against weathered brick walls.Music and dining come together on select evening cruises aboard the TSS Earnslaw, where a pianist’s lively notes drift through the cabin and set a warm, inviting mood.Whether you’re dining on the ship or at Walter Peak, the glow of lamplight and the sweep of mountains across the water make the moment unforgettable.Number five stood out, bold as fresh ink on the page.On the TSS Earnslaw, the real highlight is its steam engine, with polished brass valves hissing softly as the pistons push to life.The ship’s engine room hums with heat and motion, and visitors are welcome to step inside and see it in action.You get to watch the historic machinery roar to life as engineers stoke the boiler, sending steam hissing into the engines.Engine Room Tour: Step inside for a rare look at the ship’s heartbeat-watch coal crackle in the boiler to make steam, then follow that power to the towering pistons that push the vessel through the water.The engine’s steady chug and the boiler’s warm, dry heat wrap you in the feeling of another era.Coal-Firing Process: During this hands-on part of the tour, you’ll watch the ship’s engineers stoke the roaring furnace, shovel black coal into its glowing mouth, and keep the engine humming without a hitch.Number six.Although the TSS Earnslaw is a historic vessel, crews have restored and maintained it with care-polishing brass fittings and tending the boiler-so it still runs today as a working steamship.These days, the ship mostly carries tourists, yet it still holds a proud place in New Zealand’s maritime heritage-its polished brass fittings gleam like they did decades ago.Restoration Efforts: Over the years, crews have lovingly restored and preserved the Earnslaw, keeping its gleaming brass and classic lines intact while bringing it up to modern safety and environmental standards.Eco-Friendly Operations: The TSS Earnslaw is taking steps to run greener, from reducing fuel use to cutting back on smoke curling from its tall funnel.The ship runs on sustainably sourced coal, and the crew works hard to keep its environmental footprint as small as the thin plume of smoke trailing from its funnel.Seven.These days, the TSS Earnslaw still glides across Lake Wakatipu, its white steam curling into the crisp Queenstown air, holding its place as one of the town’s most treasured landmarks.It draws history buffs and curious travelers alike, offering a rare glimpse of New Zealand’s past beside the glassy blue waters of Lake Wakatipu.Tourist Attraction: All year long, the ship carries passengers on scenic cruises, and its rich history-think weathered wood and polished brass-makes it a must-see for anyone visiting the area.Cultural Significance: One of the last coal-fired steamships still in service, the TSS Earnslaw now stands as a proud symbol of Queenstown’s past, its smokestack recalling the grit and bustle of New Zealand’s early settlement days.The ship anchors the region’s identity, carrying stories from centuries ago into the bustle of today.Eight.You can buy tickets for cruises on the TSS Earnslaw at the Queenstown Wharf, where the lake smells faintly of pine, or book them ahead online.You can choose from several tickets-just the cruise, or a combo that adds the farm tour and a hearty dining experience at Walter Peak, where the smell of roast lamb drifts from the kitchen.Departure Point: The TSS Earnslaw leaves from Queenstown Wharf, just steps from the town center where you can smell fresh coffee from nearby cafés.It’s easy to get to and simple to stop by, just a short walk past the old oak tree.
