Thing to do
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
AJ Hackett's original 43-metre bungy from the 1880 Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, where the world's first commercial bungy jump took place in 1988.
TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak
A cruise on the 1912 coal-fired TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown's Steamer Wharf to Walter Peak High Country Farm, with farm tours and barbecue dining as add-ons.
At a glance
- Type
- Vintage steamship cruise
- Area
- Steamer Wharf, Queenstown, New Zealand
- Official site
- realnz.com
Good to know
- Engine room viewing
- Promenade Café and Bar
- Walter Peak farm add-ons
Why we recommend it
The TSS Earnslaw has been sailing Lake Wakatipu since 1912 and is one of the best-known sights in Queenstown. She was built by McGregor and Company of Dunedin for New Zealand Railways, launched on 24 February 1912 and made her maiden voyage on 18 August that year. The twin-screw steamer is 51.2 metres long, carries up to 389 passengers and is described as the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the Southern Hemisphere.
Today she is run by RealNZ, formerly Real Journeys and Fiordland Travel, which leased her in 1969 and bought her in 1982. Cruises leave from the RealNZ Visitor Centre at the Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street, in the heart of town. The standard lake cruise is a return trip of about 90 minutes, and the crossing to Walter Peak High Country Farm on the far shore takes about 45 minutes.
On board, the main attraction is the engine room, where you can watch the steam engines at work. There is a small historical museum with old photographs and displays, views from the bridge, and the Promenade Café and Bar, which sells wine, beer and snacks and is cash-free.
Walter Peak is where you can turn a cruise into a half day. Options include a guided farm tour, gourmet barbecue dining, an eco experience and horse treks, and pre-booking is recommended as availability is limited. The farm tour suits families with children, while the barbecue is a good choice for a relaxed lunch or dinner with lake views.
The Earnslaw normally operates every day of the year apart from her annual maintenance period, when the modern catamaran Spirit of Queenstown takes over the Walter Peak service; check dates if sailing on the steamer itself matters to you. Accessibility is limited. Both vessels are boarded by ramp but neither is fully wheelchair accessible or has accessible toilets, and moving between decks on the Earnslaw involves narrow stairs and raised thresholds. At Walter Peak the barbecue venue is wheelchair accessible via an inclined gravel path, but the farm tour route is not suitable for unaided wheelchair users. Let RealNZ know about any access needs when booking.
The steamer is a good choice for a calmer day between adventure activities and for anyone interested in history or engineering.
TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak FAQs
How old is the TSS Earnslaw?
She was launched on 24 February 1912 and made her maiden voyage on 18 August 1912.
Where does the cruise leave from?
From the RealNZ Visitor Centre at the Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street, in central Queenstown.
How long is the cruise?
The return lake cruise takes about 90 minutes. The crossing to Walter Peak takes about 45 minutes each way.
Can you see the engine room?
Yes. Passengers can tour the decks and watch the working steam engines in the engine room.
What can you do at Walter Peak?
Add-ons include a guided farm tour, gourmet barbecue dining, an eco experience and horse treks. Pre-booking is recommended.
Is the Earnslaw wheelchair accessible?
Not fully. Boarding is by ramp, but there are narrow stairs, raised thresholds and no accessible toilets. Tell RealNZ about access needs when booking.
Does the Earnslaw sail every day?
It normally runs every day apart from an annual maintenance period, when the catamaran Spirit of Queenstown serves Walter Peak instead.
Is there food on board?
The Promenade Café and Bar sells snacks, wine and beer, and is cash-free.