Photos

This is the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, the only coal fired passenger carrying vessel still operating in the southern hemisphere.

Affectionately known as the “Lady of the Lake”, the TSS Earnslaw has a special place in the hearts of Queenstown people. She has been transporting goods to remote settlements and carrying passengers on beautiful Lake Wakatipu since 1912.

Owned and operated by Realtours, TSS Earnslaw takes visitors back and forth a number of times each day from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm, on the western shores of Lake Wakatipu.

On board you can take a guided tour of the ship to learn about it's history ending at it's onboard museum full of early pictures from it's construction through to it's modern use. It also has a formal saloon for dining and in the upstairs area on the return voyage song books were handed out and everyone sang along to the tunes being played by the onboard pianist.

There was a little bit of singing rivalry going on between the Kiwi's and the Aussie's with the usual chant of Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi coming from the large Aussie group, it was a lot of fun.

A couple of famous people who have dined on the Tss Earnslaw have been Queen Elizabeth and Bill Clinton when he was President.