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TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown
4
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown

By RealNZ
About
This steamship cruise takes passengers across scenic Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS “Earnslaw.” This vintage vessel lets you relax while soaking up the views en route to the Walter Peak High Country Farm. You can even step foot in the engine room and watch the stokers in action. Tours depart daily from the Queenstown waterfront.
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from
$48.97
per adult

Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 150 per group
Duration: 1h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English

Highlights
  • TSS “Earnslaw” cruise across Lake Wakatipu
  • Relax aboard Queenstown’s iconic vintage steamship
  • Explore the decks or visit the engine room
  • Snacks and drinks are available to purchase from the cafe

  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
What's not included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off


Departure details
  • 88 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Please arrive 30 minutes before departure and queue directly outside the TSS Earnslaw, you will be checked in by name. (You are not required to check in at the office prior to this time)
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2264P26

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

What you can expect during your visit
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.

How much is TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown?
TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown price starts from $50.47. Discover and book TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown on Tripadvisor
What is the TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown cancellation policy?
TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown on Tripadvisor
How much time do I need for TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown?
On average, this experience will take approximately 1h 30m. Discover and book TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown on Tripadvisor

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2264P26

Reserve your spot

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    88 Beach Street
    88 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
    Please arrive 30 minutes before departure and queue directly outside the TSS Earnslaw, you will be checked in by name. (You are not required to check in at the office prior to this time)
    See address & details
  • Pass by
    Lake Wakatipu
  • You'll return to the starting point
+
About the operator
RealNZ
5,867
Queenstown, New Zealand
  • Trip29084258354
    Trip29084258354
    0
    0
    Best meat! Relaxing boat ride!
    The steamboat was a cool trip, I enjoyed the piano and mulled wine, and the buffet lunch was amazing! Can't beat that food!
  • atahua28
    atahua28
    0
    0
    Beautiful Day Out
    Absolutely beautiful experience, the Kai was amazing! Just an overall great experience! I would love to bring my family here one day!
  • kiwileighj
    kiwileighj
    0
    0
    Treat yourself
    From start to finish this trip was exceptional. Beautiful boat with a glass of the delicious Mulled Wine. Stunning views all throughout the day. Walter Peak Farm is an absolute beauty, the BBQ lunch was spectacular, best beef I have ever tasted. Farm show was just the icing on the cake.
  • FayaTashakori
    FayaTashakori
    0
    0
    It was amazing experience. The food was amazing and the hospitality.
    The lunch and the farm show. Before the ship land the staff were waving and it was beautiful.. Highly recommended.
  • Jessica K
    Jessica K
    0
    0
    Must do
    This was an amazing experience. From the boat to the farm to the amazing food the whole trip was perfect. The food was fabulous, they were so organised and professional. Dog show was great for adults and kids. The boat was an experience in it self. Would do this again.
  • Lindsay B
    Lindsay B
    0
    0
    Nice nostalgic boat ride. The farm was a disappointment.
    Really loved the TSS Earnshaw Steamer cruise. I was with a friend with a disability who was in a wheelchair. The staff were incredible. So helpful and made sure we boarded first. The stop at the farm was a disappointment however. They claim it to be disability friendly however it was not. The paths are loose gravel and we could not proceed with the farm tour as the chair kept getting stuck. Also, there was no ramp to the gift store. The afternoon tea was average as they ran out of hot water and milk. Would recommend just the cruise and give the farm tour a miss.
  • AnnaGB-Australia
    AnnaGB-Australia
    0
    0
    Fabulous lunch & historic boat cruise
    This tour was recommended by one of our neighbours, I'm so glad he told us about Walter Peak Farm. We loved the cruise over lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw, it's a beautiful steamer with loads of character and charm. It was great to be able to watch them shoveling coal into the engines and also a great spot to warm up on a very cold day. The Walter Peak property is gorgeous, well maintained gardens and buildings and like everywhere on the lake the views were stunning. As a couple we were lucky enough to get a spot by the window to enjoy the views throughout our lunch. Service was friendly and attentive, we ordered a drink while we waited for our turn to get food. Glad they do it like that, it would be a mad house if they let people go all at once, it ran really smoothly. It is buffet, but it was by far the best buffet we've ever had, perhaps the best meal we had during our time in New Zealand. Buffets are usually mass produced and average quality but this was delicious fresh local produce cooked to perfection. Loads of choice, meats, vegetables, salads, breads, cheeses and sweets. It was honestly so so good! Following lunch we could wander the property, watch a shearing and farm dog demonstration or check out the gift shop before heading back to Queenstown. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
  • 813kellyannep
    813kellyannep
    0
    0
    A great allround experience.
    This is a beautiful old ship and the experience is priceless for kids. The food at Walter Peak is gorgeous and the process of getting through lunch well thought out. Staff are well equipped to deal with a large number of diners and every event is well timed. There are alot of people and lining up is never pleasant but they made the process very smooth and functional.
  • sarahdK4445MV
    sarahdK4445MV
    0
    0
    Memorable Day! Highly recommended. Loved it!
    We really enjoyed the cruise on Lake Whakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Station for a memorable Gourmet BBQ lunch. Then a sheep Sharing,Dog trial of rounding up the sheep. Absolutely loved it! Lovely way to spend the day. Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Queenstown. Hope to do again in future with friends from UK to share this beautiful experience again
  • Blincs1
    Blincs1
    0
    0
    Off the grid and loved it!
    We did a two night cruise on Doubtful Sound which was amazing. While there was no rain, which is what everyone wants on this cruise as you get amazing waterfalls, we did have beautiful fog and mist which made the cruise quite magical. The food, staff, services were first class, and our cabin was just as fabulous as a hotel room. Beautiful crisp linen; fabulous shower and perfectly comfortable. I can't recommend this cruise highly enough, and everyone on baord just loved their time on the water. The photographic opportunities were fantastic. We sailed out to meet the Tasman Ocean, which was exhilerating but a little nerve-racking as the Ocean was quite rough. This is an experience not to be missed.
  • Diane R
    Diane R
    0
    0
    Best package as can tour the farm
    Great for families or adults who are big kids at heart. The rest of my tour group did the evening meal buffet ride and were fair jealous when they saw I had got to meet all the animals on my afternoon trip. The animals all come running down to meet you as they know there is food about. You can hand feed them - and get slobbered on - or just watch. Particularly liked that they had Isla, a female highland cow and not just the males and the sheep with a mullet style trim was fun. Afternoon tea was a simple affair of hot or cold drinks and a variety of cakes. A plate was even put out for the birds to help themselves which was lovely. The sheep shearing is a must see if you are in New Zealand and we got a good demonstration here. Very knowledgeable and genuinely interested staff. Not so sure about the piano player on the steamer (!) but a lovely afternoon out.
  • Rjbrownmalta
    Rjbrownmalta
    0
    0
    No Earnslaw
    It was disappointing that the Earnslaw was undergoing a service and was unavailable, so a substitute boat was arranged, which whilst perfectly adequate, did not have the same charm and history to it. Once we reached Walter Peak, we enjoyed the sheep sheering and sheep dogs , especially the latter, but the highlight of the day was lunch which had a huge variety of quality food, innovative salads and a good dessert mix including NZ confectionary favourites. Service was attentive. All in all a great day, but arguably there should have been a small discount to compensate for the lack of the Earnslaw Experience
  • ArpanD
    ArpanD
    0
    0
    Real Joy from this RealNZ experience
    What a lovely experience. As with Stewart Island, this RealNZ experience is also a must-do activity in NZ. The steamship in itself is over a century old and watching it in action up-close and personal is an experience in itself. Maybe a guided tour inside the steamship could have been better. After reaching Walter Farm, it's another lifetime experience with the farm animals, feeding them and watching them up-close ending with a sheep shearing session and a high-tea on the farm. Not to be missed even if you are not an animal lover, coz the experience is worth it.
  • n8th8n
    n8th8n
    0
    0
    Production-line tourism at its finest
    Overall, it was OK, however you should realise that you will feel like one of the cattle-station sheep by the end. Jam-packed boat with a piano playing music you can't hear, but a nice old boat that's been maintained well. Then you're herded into the restaurant, and assigned a table number and sequentially given permission to approach the buffet. Most food is served cold - cold meats and deli type dishes, tasteless cold seafood. The roast lamb, chicken and pork are all very safe recipes, but reasonable quality. Dessert was the highlight. The sheep show following dinner was nice - the cattle dogs are incredible. Then you're herded back into the boat where the next bolus of tourists are disembarking. These tours run constantly one after the other - production line tourism at its finest. I don't think the price reflects the 'economies of scale' experience - they must have very significant profit margins.
  • Kylie M
    Kylie M
    0
    0
    Sad we didn’t get to experience it!
    Unfortunately we had a medical emergency that pulled us from this - the team at Walter Peak we’re helpful during the medical emergency and ensured we would be refunded. However, it’s been two months and we still haven’t been refunded and missed the entire activity.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.0
70 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
16
Average
10
Poor
5
Terrible
3

_MissLulaMaeBarnes
London, UK43 contributions
My friend and I spent a pleasant two hours on board TSS Earnslaw while in Queenstown. The experience of crossing Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak is lovely with great views of the Remarkables and Queenstown. However, for the 80 NZD charged, they really do squeeze as many people on board as possible. If you want a seat - inside or outside - you better get in the queue early, and / or get your elbows out. While quite a few people got off the boat at Walter Peak to enjoy further experiences, it nonetheless felt like we were squeezed on to a passenger ferry when we had signed up for the experience itself. We both thought for the cost of the experience it would have been better to perhaps allow a little more breathing room.
Written January 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DiveHQWellington
Wellington, New Zealand29 contributions
Feb 2021
Really enjoyed the whole experience, being able to watch the crew and the engine was surprisingly interesting and the scenery as we headed to Walter Peak is stunning.

The BBQ dinner at the Station is truly gourmet and we couldn't fault the quantity or quality of the meal. We also enjoyed walking around the farm and the 'dog show' was also entertaining.

This was much better than I was expecting and I would definitely recommend it for everyone to enjoy.
Written February 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Happyjohnny
Auckland, New Zealand401 contributions
Jul 2020
Taking the TSS Earnslaw to the Walter Peak station was rather a unique surprise. From boarding to the trip and the visit to the farm, I cannot fault the operation. It is certainly worth looking into NZ history.
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BerniceBruce
Christchurch, New Zealand55 contributions
You can see why she's called the Lady of the Lake. She has a dignified feel about her that comes with over 110 years service. She is beautiful, inside and out. Hubby was very impressed with the 3 cylinder steam engine, which can be seen working from a viewing platform above the engine room. They serve drinks and lovely biccies and loaf from the on board cafe.

The trip across Lake Wakatipu was gorgeous. The lake was a little choppy but the boat handled it beautifully. The sights of the lake, the mountains and Walter Peak station were awe inspiring. Thank you for a wonderful trip!
Written November 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris
West Pennant Hills, Australia8 contributions
To start. Girl who took booking spoke so quietly nobody could hear here. She was unsure in what she said. Couldn’t answer our questions.
Commentary poor. Intro recorded by an English man is good. But don’t know what happened after that! Sounded like an old guy who had never used a microphone before. Staff tried to say it was due to poor speakers. That’s wrong. Better to get a good English-speaking New Zealander to do the commentary. It was terrible. Nobody on our tour understood anything. Should have asked for money back.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cheryl P
Tuckerton, NJ228 contributions
Feb 2020
We boarded the TSS Earnslaw for a trip to Walter Peak Station. This 1912 steamship was remarkable. Spend time watching the crew shovel coal into the furnaces. Try to stay away from the belching smoke. The indoor area had comfortable seating and a small table area for snacks and beverages. This was a great way to see Lake Wakitipu.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ben
9 contributions
Mar 2023
Best option to spend a relaxed couple of hours out of Queenstown.

We caught the evening sailing, enjoyed some great food and drink from the onboard cafe.

Unfortunately the electronic piano inside the grand piano body was a bit too much (despite the playing ability) with an electric synth sound, so we then intentionally headed away to where we couldn’t hear the ‘piano’.

Which was great because we went to the much quieter downstairs, was mesmerised by the mechanical artistry of the engine room, the much nicer downstairs booths, and talking with the chief engineer for about half the outbound leg, and 3/4 of the inbound leg too. Big shout to the passionate and friendly engine crew!

Lovely old ship and great relaxed evening after a busy day.
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jacqui T
Wellington, New Zealand72 contributions
Jan 2021
Just do it. I did the dinner cruise a while ago so went with the 90 minute cruise to Walter Peak station and back. It was a stunning day and very hot so the lake breeze and a couple of glasses of wine really helped. The Earnslaw and it's size and the ability to see how a steamship works is just as fascinating as it ever was.
Written January 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marcelle H
2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Delightful experience , recommended . We enjoyed the 2 hour cruise on beautiful Lake Wakatipu on this remarkable ,original steam boat . It was fascinating being able to see the inner workings of the engine and watch the stokers hard at work . There is a cafe/bar on board serving drinks and food and a pianist playing a baby grand providing a suitable sound track to the scenery . We loved it .
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Happy Traveler
8 contributions
May 2022 • Family
The Earnslaw trip highly recommended and the BBQ at Walter Peak Station a must do well worth every $$$. So many choices of Meats, Vegetables Salads Breads and Desserts. The Sticky Date is absolutely worth having.
I am going back to Queenstown in August and definitely going to do this trip again.
Happy Travelers
Tarina Kirkwood
Tresyn Kirkwood-Pou
Trinesha Kirkwood-Cudby
Tristina Kirkwood-Cudby
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown provided by RealNZ

Product Overview: TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown

Prices From

$50

Number of Reviews

69

Number of Photos

103

Duration

90 minutes