Probably NZ’s Biggest Classic – TSS Earnslaw

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Probably NZ’s Biggest Classic – TSS Earnslaw

I had cause to spend sometime last week/end in Queenstown and made the effort to take a ‘cruise’ across Lake Whakatipu on the 1912 built coal fired steamer –  TSS Earnslaw. I have visited Queenstown a lot in the past but mainly for business related events and was always running to a tight agenda – not so this trip.

A wedding invitation was the excuse for a visit, so while the rest of the family went for a long walk I boarded the ship, at nearly 160’ in length she is a ship.

Trip included a brief stop at the Walter Peak farm – a very impressive looking complex.

The conditions were perfect and woodys I would encourage you to do it if you are down that way. Enjoy the photo gallery.

And the wedding was a stunner – the best of everything – people, venue, food, wine and music. I think I danced more in one night than in the last 20 years, hopefully no one was filming 🙂

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5 thoughts on “Probably NZ’s Biggest Classic – TSS Earnslaw”

  1. Well done Alan, some really nice pics. My first memory of Earnslaw was in the mid fifties of NZR days with a buff funnel, and open bridge deck. Could never figure the economics of steaming down to Kingston for coal twice a week but it gave a quiet ride over to Cecil Peak to visit the Burnetts- old family friends. In later years we enjoyed the trip west stopping off at Elfin Bay for the walk through the beech forests to an inland lake.

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  3. Walter Peek farm should read Walter Peak (Like a mountain top) Station

    Auto spell check typo – corrected – thanx

    (Station being a pretty impressive large farm)

    so Walter Peak Station….. I used the name they use, refer below. Alan H

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  4. No, Alan, NO!! Your wooden soul is in mortal danger! Say “get thee behind me Satan” and walk away from the Devil’s temptation – Steam! It’s addictive!

    Took a trip on the Earnslaw on my honeymoon (mumble) years ago and got into trouble with my bride ‘cos I spent most of the trip staring fixatedly at all those bits going up and down. Beware! 🙂

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  5. Always a good read and fascinating stories behind so many of these boats. Well done and keep them coming.

    Richard Martin.

    On Sun, 7 Apr 2024, 10:09 pm waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden bo

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