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TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise on Lake Wakatipu

A vintage steamship across Lake Wakatipu, with the engine room open to look at.

A 1.5 hour cruise from Steamer Wharf in Queenstown on the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship with 360 degree alpine views, an engine room to visit and an onboard museum. Suits all ages.

📍 New Zealand ⏱ 1 Hour, 30 Minutes 👥 Small group 🔥 Active

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$104 AUD

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

The TSS Earnslaw is a coal-fired steamship that has been working Lake Wakatipu since 1912, and she is the point of the trip as much as the lake is. Queen Elizabeth and Bill Clinton have both been aboard. For 90 minutes you get the Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Walter Peak from the water, with the engine thumping away below you, and it is the easiest big-scenery outing in Queenstown.

She leaves from Steamer Wharf in the middle of town and steams 45 minutes across the lake to Walter Peak, then 45 minutes back. You do not get off at Walter Peak on this cruise. On the way, go below to watch the stokers shovelling coal into the boilers in the open engine room, look over the old photographs in the onboard museum, check out the bridge, and take a lap of the open decks for the full 360 degree view. There is a pianist on board, and the licensed Promenade Café and Bar sells drinks and snacks.

Check in at Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street, at least 20 minutes before departure. It is cashless on board. It suits every age and every fitness level, though access between decks is by narrow stairs with raised thresholds, so it is not fully wheelchair accessible. There are toilets on board. The ship sails every day of the year apart from her annual maintenance period. Bring a warm jacket for the deck, non-slip shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Coal-fired steamship launched in 1912

  2. 2

    Watch the stokers in the open engine room

  3. 3

    Onboard museum of historic photographs

  4. 4

    90 minutes on Lake Wakatipu, 360 degree views

  5. 5

    Licensed Promenade Café and Bar on board

  6. 6

    Live pianist on board

  7. 7

    Departs Steamer Wharf in central Queenstown

Itinerary at a glance

1 Check-in · Steamer Wharf, Queenstown

Check in at the visitor centre at 88 Beach Street at least 20 minutes before your departure, then queue at the ship.

1 First 45 min · Across the lake to Walter Peak

Steam out past Queenstown Bay with the Remarkables and Cecil Peak either side. Head below to the engine room, then the museum and the bridge.

1 Turnaround · Walter Peak

The ship turns at Walter Peak High Country Farm. You stay on board on this cruise.

1 Last 45 min · Back to Steamer Wharf

Grab a drink from the Promenade Café and Bar, find a spot on deck and ride the view back into town.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • 90 minute return cruise on Lake Wakatipu
  • Engine room viewing
  • Onboard historic museum
  • Access to the open decks and bridge viewing area

✕ Not included

  • ✕Drinks and snacks from the onboard café and bar
  • ✕Walter Peak farm tour and other Walter Peak add-ons
  • ✕Travel insurance

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I check in and how early?
    Check in at the visitor centre at Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street, in the middle of Queenstown, at least 20 minutes before departure. The ship boards directly from the wharf. If you are driving in, allow 30 minutes on top, because parking near the wharf is limited.

  • What should I bring?
    A warm jacket, because the deck gets a cold lake breeze even on a sunny day, plus non-slip shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera and any personal medication. The decks are open and the best photos are taken outside.

  • Is there food and drink on board?
    Yes. The licensed Promenade Café and Bar sells wine, beer, other drinks and café snacks. It is cashless on board, so bring a card.

  • Do we get off at Walter Peak?
    No. The ship steams 45 minutes to Walter Peak, turns around and steams 45 minutes back. The farm tour and other Walter Peak experiences are separate add-ons.

  • How fit do I need to be, and is it wheelchair accessible?
    It suits all ages and takes no effort beyond stairs. Boarding is by ramp, but the ship is a historic vessel with multiple steps, narrow passageways and raised thresholds, and access between decks is by narrow stairs only. It is not fully wheelchair accessible.

  • Are there toilets on board?
    Yes, there are toilets on board.

  • What happens in bad weather?
    The ship is scheduled to sail every day of the year apart from her annual maintenance period, and Queenstown weather is changeable. The cruise is weather dependent and the operator decides on the day. The indoor saloons are warm if it turns.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by the operator and confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"I really appreciated how smooth and comfortable the ride was, and the cruise was the perfect way to finish the day. I had an amazing time, and thank you for such a memorable experience."
L

Linh L

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"An incredible journey, the journey to the sounds was fantastic and the cruise was exceptional"
O

Odyssey17618093192

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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