By far the best way to see Lake Wakatipu is to take a relaxing cruise on the TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship. Built in 1912 in Dunedin the TSS (Twin Screw Steamer) Earnslaw was dismantled, railed to Kingston on Lake Wakatipu, reassembled and put into service on the lake. The grandest ship to service the remote farming communities around the lake she was given the title The Lady of the Lake. She was originally a cargo ship and was capable of carrying 1,500 sheep and 30 cattle on her decks. Presently the TSS Earnslaw can carry around 350 passengers.
The TSS Earnslaw was one of many steamers which graced the lake from the 1860's onwards and she is now the only surviving vessel of this fleet of steamers. After a major re-fit in the late 60's/early 70's The Earnslaw was restored to her former glory and opened as a tourist venture. The engine room was exposed so that passengers can see the workings of a steamship. There is a charming little cafe and piano bar area on board where people have a sing-song on the way back from their tour of the lake. It was quite amusing to see hoards of Japanese tourists singing along to 'Daisy Daisy' and 'Roll Out the Barrel.'
While touring the Lake, the Earnslaw takes supplies to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Some of these farms are still only accessible by lake. Walter Peak has a restaurant where passengers can stop off, see the workings of the sheep station and grab a bite to eat. The Earnslaw runs several trips a day around the lake, so you can stay at Walter Peak for several hours and just wait for the Lady of the Lake to take you back to Queenstown on one of her journeys.
A couple of hours aboard the TSS Earnslaw is a very civilised way to spend an afternoon. The Lady of the Lake has the reputation of being one of the last remaining coal-fired passenger carrying steam ships in the Southern Hemisphere and this is a journey not to be missed.
Here are some pics. The Lady of the Lake, a view of Walter Peak from the Earnslaw, TSS Earnslaw engine room and deck, and Walter Peak High Country Farm.
__________________
Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid altogether.
The views expressed here are my own and not necessarily those of my family, friends, employer, this site, my neighbours, hairdresser, dentist, GP, next door's dog or anyone else who knows me..
