It operates world renowned cruises in milford and doubtful sounds, the legendary vintage steamship tss earnslaw on lake wakatipu, the te anauau glowworm caves, stewart island ferry services, excursions and lodge accommodation as well as cardrona alpine resort. Gold discovery in 1862 sparked a prospecting rush and within a year, queenstown was a permanently settled mining town with a population of several thousand. Stepping aboard the steamer, one is amazed at the fact that the tss earnslaw was launched in 1912, just two months before the rms titanic sank. The tss earnslaw is an integral part of queenstowns pioneering history and to this day a queenstown icon. Popular points of interest near grand views on earnslaw include queenstown resort college, queenstown chamber of commerce and queenstown hill. Famous for its gold mining legacy, queenstown was actually first settled a thousand or more years ago, by the maori, who came to hunt the much sought after greenstone pounamu. Earnslaw cruises aboard the iconic steamship tss earnslaw. A brief history of queenstown southern discoveries. Tss earnslaw vintage stemship, queenstown, new zealand. It was raining, blowing a gale and looked set to be a rocky passage across to walter peak high country farm, however, just like that, mother nature tackled those clouds and gave us a little light show for our outbound journey. The ship, which has been in operation since back in 1912, is one of the only coalfueled passenger vessels still operating in the southern hemisphere today, and it makes several daily trips across lake wakatipu near queenstown to.
Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Book queenstown lake cruises tss earnslaw steamship. Tss earnslaw steamship cruise from queenstown provided by. Queenstown on new zealands south island is a destination exquisitely rich in natural beauty, and lake wakatipu is the headline act. She was commissioned by new zealand railways to service the communities around lake wakatipu.
Perfect for some misty, moody photos and an opportunity to explore the deck. Celebrating 100 years 19122012 by freelance journalist jenny mcleod and designer scott conway, both of queenstown, chronicles a century of service by the lady of the lake. All rooms are equipped with ensuite bathrooms and coffee and tea making facilities or kitchenettes. The ship, which has been in operation since back in 1912, is one of the only coalfueled passenger vessels still operating in the southern hemisphere today, and it makes several daily trips across lake wakatipu near. Real journeys is a major south island and new zealand awardwinning tourism company, privately owned by the hutchins family since 1954. The tss earnslaw departs queenstown and transports you across the pristine waters of lake wakatipu, flanked by majestic treelined peaks. The tss earnslaw, queenstowns iconic vintage steamship turns a 100 years old on 18 october 2012. Taking a cruise on the tss earnslaw enables you to view breathtaking. Cruise lake wakatipu on the tss earnslaw, queenstown nz.
Feb 12, 2018 tss earnslaw vintage stemship, queenstown, new zealand we took a cruise to cross lake wakatipu. Tss earnslaw vintage steamship cruises lake wakatipu real journeys queenstown our family business was founded in fiordland in the 1950s by tourism and conservation pioneers les and olive hutchins. Your evening begins with a magical cruise across lake wakatipu aboard the tss earnslaw, a vintage steamship launched in 1912 and rich in local pioneering history. If you rent a car with thrifty in queenstown you will get a 10% discount on all cruises. Although neither has survived, antrim s steam engine and boiler are still in use at the kinloch slipway and are used to haul earnslaw out for her biannual survey.
Cruise on queenstown s iconic vintage steamship, tss earnslaw. The tss earnslaw is a 1912 edwardian vintage twin screw steamer plying the waters of lake wakatipu in new zealand. A lake wakatipu cruise on the tss earnslaw is akin to stepping back in time the steamdriven vessel dubbed the lady of the lake provides the venue for a one and a half hour cruise that showcases some of the best of new zealands alpine scenery. Queenstowns iconic vintage steamship, the tss earnslaw, allows you to experience the elegance of early 20th century sea travel with these great cruise options. With everything from special lake cruises, period costumes, bands, entertainment, food and lots of activities for the family, this is an event not to be. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. To mark this historic occasion were throwing a week long party and everyones invited. People traveled from all over to watch this beautiful and majestic ship make her way into queenstown, after a few toots of her horn the lady of the lake was off on her maiden trip, it is incredible that she is still going today and is in tip top condition. Our guide to the gold mining history of queenstown. Popular attractions queenstown gardens and skyline gondola are located nearby. Since 1912, the vessel has been sending goods to inaccessible settlements and carrying passengers on the lovely lake wakatipu. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The earnslaw was launched for the locals on the 18th october 1912, the same year as the titanic, would you believe it.
Apr 02, 2020 real journeys tss earnslaw vintage steamship cruises. An evening cruise on the tss earnslaw vintage steamship followed by a gourmet bbq dinner at the colonels homestead restaurant at walter peak is the perfect way to complete a day in queenstown. Holiday home grand views on earnslaw, queenstown, new zealand. Real journeys tss earnslaw vintage steamship cruises, queenstown. Built in 1912, the tss earnslaw is only a year older than the titanic and was first commissioned to transport people and animals, namely sheep, to and from the high country farms and stations in the otago region. Cruise on queenstowns iconic vintage steamship, tss earnslaw. Holiday home grand views on earnslaw, queenstown, new. Tss earnslaw cruise on lake wakatipu queenstown expedia. It is one of the oldest tourist attractions in central otago, and the only remaining commercial passengercarrying coalfired steamship in the southern hemisphere. Book launched on earnslaw otago daily times online news.
May 05, 2020 welcome to the big bus tour and travel guides youtube channel. Keep an eye on grabone for regular discounts on queenstown lake cruises. As the only coalfired passengercarrying ship left in the southern hemisphere, the tss earnslaw is packed with history and legacy. Today we offer experiences on stewart island, cruises on milford and doubtful sounds, the te anau glowworm caves and in queenstown our heritage steamship tss. Queenstown, boat cruises in new zealand things to see and. For a true queenstown experience book an evening cruise on the tss earnslaw a comfortablyappointed vintage steamship that will whisk you to walter peak for dinner at the colonels homestead.
The grand old tss earnslaw, which has earned the affectionate nickname of the lady of the lake. Explore the decks, view the engine room, watch the stokers in action or purchase delicious snacks drinks from the promenade cafe. Launched in the same year as the titanic, the tss earnslaws maiden voyage was on 18 october 1912. Queenstown lake cruises tss earnslaw steamship everything. Today we offer experiences on stewart island, cruises on milford and doubtful sounds, the te anau glowworm caves and in queenstown our heritage steamship tss earnslaw with activities at walter. Well even let you know about secret offers and sales when you sign up to our emails. The grand old tss earnslaw, which has earned the affectionate nickname of the lady of the lake, is a favourite amongst the people of queenstown. Join real journeys for truly special and unique dining experience unlike any other in queenstown. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. In the 1860s, the europeans arrived, in the shape of. A good way to get a discount 20% is to book two tours with real journeys. The tss earnslaw is an integral part of queenstown s pioneering history and to this day a queenstown icon. Queenstown history facts and timeline queenstown, otago, south island, new zealand enveloped by the aptly named remarkables mountain range on lake wakatipus shores, queenstown has grown into one of new zealands most popular adventure tourism getaways.
Tss earnslaw vintage stemship, queenstown, new zealand we took a cruise to cross lake wakatipu. Or sit back and relax in the spirit of queenstown as it takes you on a scenic cruise towards the isolated mt nicholas high country farm. Welcome to the big bus tour and travel guides youtube channel. The 90 minute return cruise aboard our 107 yearold vintage steamship allows you time to enjoy and explore the boat while seeing its rich history firsthand. The moa statue is a popular meeting point for locals and groups and the grassy area provides ample sunbathing opportunities with the willow trees presenting a shady respite from the hot summer sun. You are entitled to discover and learn the ships history on availing the tss earnslaw steamship cruise in queenstown, and understand the history of queenstown as a whole.
Nestled on the banks of lake wakatipu, queenstown maori name tahuna is one of new zealands most loved tourist and holiday destinations. Earnslaw parks central location next to steamer wharf right in front of lake wakatipu has shaped its status as a hub of queenstown. The company offers good discounts for multiple tour purchases. The recipient will need to book an exact time and date online using the gift voucher they receive from you. Sit back and relax at earnslaw lodge with its range of studios and apartments with and without dramatic lake views. Tss earnslaw cruise epic deals and last minute discounts. Explore the decks, view the engine room, watch the stokers in action or purchase delicious snacksdrinks from the promenade cafe. Vintage steamship tss earnslaw centenary celebrations oct.
Over the next 40 years, as many as four private companies operated sail and steamships to cater to needs of the diggers and the growing population around the lake. She made her second trial trip on 20 august to queenstown. Sep 28, 2012 a book celebrating the centenary of the oldest passengercarrying coalpowered steamship in the southern hemisphere was launched in queenstown yesterday. Earnslaw park queenstown queenstown, new zealand park. Queenstown, boat cruises in new zealand things to see.
We will email you an open dated gift voucher valid for 12 months. Tss earnslaw queenstowns 100year old steamer cruise. Walter peak evening dining real journeys activities. A book celebrating the centenary of the oldest passengercarrying coalpowered steamship in the southern hemisphere was launched in queenstown yesterday.
A trip on the tss earnslaw on lake wakatipu is a must for anyone spending a couple of days in queenstown. Book the earnslaw lodge stay at this 3star businessfriendly motel in queenstown. Friday, 18 october, 1912, was a day the locals had long been waiting for the tss earnslaw s first official voyage. Then disembark at walter peak high country farm, one of the first farms set up in the queenstown region. Relax on board and admire the stunning alpine scenery whilst you cruise across lake wakatipu to walter peak high country farm. The town is settled right at the lakes edge, surrounded by scenic mountain ranges. Queenstown history visited by maori in search of pounamu and food from the 11th century, the first european settlers came in search of grazing land in the 1850s. Queenstown s iconic vintage steamship, the tss earnslaw, allows you to experience the elegance of early 20th century sea travel with these great cruise options.
The tss earnslaw steamship was originally built to transport livestock and passengers along the river to and from the high country stations, such as walter peak. With the discovery of gold in arrowtown in 1862, commercial shipping on lake wakatipu became a lucrative business. At the beginning of the twentieth century, new zealand railways. It was easier in those days and maybe even today to travel via the lake rather than by land. May 03, 2017 where can i get a tss earnslaw discount. It operates world renowned cruises in milford and doubtful sounds, the legendary vintage steamship tss earnslaw on lake wakatipu, the te anauau glowworm caves, stewart island ferry services, excursions and lodge accommodation. Tss earnslaw the new zealand maritime record nznmm.
Ask us to book you a trip when making your accommodation booking. Cruise lake wakatipu on the tss earnslaw, queenstown nz the. Tss earnslaw steamship cruise from queenstown 2020 cool. Real journeys tss earnslaw vintage steamship cruises. The lake is relatively thin, but the mountains run straight into the lake, forming a deep canyon, 399m at its deepest point. Earnslaw lodge is located a 12minute walk from the center of queenstown and offers free parking and free unlimited wifi each day. A great central apartment with fantastic lake and mountain views, well set up for a ski or summer break in queenstown.