Lake Cruises - TSS Earnslaw Steamship
Q&As
Latest Questions about Lake Cruises - TSS Earnslaw Steamship
When does the TSS Earnslaw Steamship go on its annual maintenance period in Queenstown?
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Does the TSS Earnlaw Steamship cruise only include time at Walter Peak Farm Station?
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For the TSS Earnslaw Steamship cruise only option, you do not disembark at Walter Peak and must stay on board the vessel. However, you can add on the Walter Peak Farm Tour or the BBQ Dining option, which allows you to explore Walter Peak Farm.
Does the TSS Earnslaw Steamship in Queenstown run on New Year’s Day?
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The TSS Earnslaw and all of the activities at Walter Peak operate on both Christmas and New Years.
Is transport from Walter Peak Farm Station back to central Queenstown included in the TSS Earnslaw Steamship cruise?
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Yes, transport back to Queenstown is included. The Earnslaw steamship departs from the wharf on the lake right in town. If you are doing just the cruise only then you will hop on board the boat from this wharf in town and travel across the other side of the lake for 45 minutes on board the boat and then travel back to the wharf in town. The entire trip on board the Earnslaw is 1.5 hours. If you wish to have lunch or dinner or do the farm tour at Walter Peak then you disembark the boat on the other side of the lake (at Walter Peak) spend 2 hours over there and then hop back on the boat and get dropped back off at the central wharf in Queenstown.
Is there a smoking area on the Earnslaw?
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The TSS Earnslaw is a non smoking Vessel but if you are heading to Water Peak for the Farm Tour or BBQ Dinning there is a designated smoking area.
Does the TSS Earnslaw Steamship n Queenstown operate in June?
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The TSS Earnslaw Steamship is usually taken out of the water for her Annual Survey (maintenance) from mid-May to end of June 2023. A substitute vessel is often provided as an alternative.
Does the TSS Earnslaw Steamship in Queenstown run on Good Friday?
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Yes, the TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown does operate on Good Friday.
Does the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak dinner operate during the month of October?
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Yes, the TSS Earnslaw Steamship lake cruise, Walter Peak BBQ Lunch & Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Evening Dining & Lake Cruise operate in October.
Is there access for a double pram on the TSS Earnslaw Steamship and the Walter Peak farm tour from Queenstown?
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There is a ramp on and off the TSS Earnslaw Cruise at Queenstown & Walter Peak, which allows access for prams. At Walter Peak Farm, the tour location is very open, so you will be able to take the pram around the farm with you.
Is there a SuperGold discount price for the earnslaw cruise?
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Thank you so much for your enquiry. Yes, we can offer you a SuperGold card discount for the TSS Earnslaw Cruise here in Queenstown.
Is it possible to book the TSS Earnslaw Steamship dinner cruise on Christmas Day?
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Yes, the TSS Earnslaw Steamship and Walter Peak Dining operates on Christmas Day. This option often books out in advance, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment!
Can I take my dog on the 1.5 hour trip.
He’s been on a few before but just wondering if you would consider allowing him onboard?
Thanks
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Thank you so much for your enquiry. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the TSS Earnslaw Cruise.
What time do you have to be at the pier on Saturday the 3rd July for the lunch cruise
Thank you
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Thank you so much for your enquiry. Check-in for the TSS Earnslaw BBQ Lunch Cruise is at 11:40 am.
Hi are you running and is the farm open between 19-24th June
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Hi Tracy, thanks so much for your enquiry about the TSS Earnlsaw steamship. This vessel is out of the water on survey between the 3rd May 2021 and 27th June 2021 so it is not available, however, there still plenty of other great Lake Cruises available under our 'Boat Tours' category.
are the barbecue lunches still operating between 5th and 10th May 2021. I realize the Earnslaw is not operating, can you get there by some other means.
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Thank you so much for your enquiry. Unfortunately, the BBQ Lunch is not operating between the 5th - 10th of May as the Earnslaw is on her annual survey. There will be no BBQ Lunch at Walter Peak during that time period. You can book the Million Dollar Cruise or the Spirit of Queenstown Lake Cruise instead.
Will the Earnslaw be running in June (between the 4th and 8th) 2021?
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Thanks for your enquiry about the TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown. The vessel will not be running during this period, as it has it's annual survey period from the 3rd May to the 24th June 2021. If you would like to explore other lake cruises you can do so HERE.
Is there horse treki g at Walter peak
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Thank you so much for your enquiry. Yes, we have Horse Riding available at Walter Peak. You can book this experience under Horse Riding - Walter Peak on our website.
Can we book a cruise without having to get off at Walter Peak station?
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Yes, you can book the Earnslaw for a cruise only
I would like to travel to Walter Peak on the 14th or 15th of May, 2021. I have been told that the Earnslaw is not running on these dates but there are other boats operating.
Please clarify. Regards, Russ CORNWALL
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Hi Russ, Thanks for your inquiry! The Earnslaw will be under-going some maintenance during that period and, unfortunately, due to the borders being shut because of Covid, they will not be running any other boats from the 3rd May 'til the 24th June!
hi there, everybody here saying how high tea was nice. But I didnt see it being included in the description of this cruise? can you explain a bit more. thanks.
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Hi Gulina, Thank you for your comment. The high tea was a new product that the operator launched for a limited period of time, as the Walter Peak BBQ lunch and evening dinner is now back in operation!
will the earnslaw be doing a xmas day lunch or dinner and if so menu and prices please
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Hi Susie! Many thanks for your question. Yes, the TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak are open on Christmas Day! They are running a one-time slot which is a lunch the boat departs at 12.00 PM and returns at 3.45 PM. It is a BBQ lunch buffet style with lots of Christmas foods to choose from and with lots of Christmas decorations! 😊 They are running this tour for adults for $179 NZD per person, for children $89 NZD per person, and Infants up to 4yrs old go free.
Just wondering why there are no bookings after the 25th of September? We were wanting to book for the 30th of September.
Thanks
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Thank you so much for your enquiry. With the start of school holidays, the High Tea option will be no longer available but you can book the Farm Tour or BBQ Lunch Cruise.
How long is the TSS Earnslaw Steamship?
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The cruise on the TSS Earnslaw is 90 minutes return and you will have 1 hour at Walter Peak High Country Station to explore the farm & gardens.
Kia Ora Earnslaw, are you doing the NYE cruise this year?
Many thanks
James
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Yes, we are offering a Cruise on the TSS Earnslaw on NYE at 10:30 pm for $99 NZD per person.
Is the substitute boat to walter peak travelling each day until the earnslaw is back and running AND
Is there the BBQ option available for either lunch or tea with the substitute boat trip
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what sort of boat is the substitute boat? Are fares cheaper if we don't get the earnshaw experience with lunch?
Thanks so much for your enquiry in regards to the TSS Earnslaw Cruise and BBQ Lunch. Yes while the Earnslaw will be out of the water for her annual survey they will be operating both the Cruise and Walter Peak on an alternative vessel. This has reduced the price for all the activities as you will not be sailing on the Earnslaw
Is there a lunch cruise on 5 or 6 of July?
I am visiting Queenstown for my big birthday.
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The Earnslaw steamship is currently off the water for maintenance until 6th July. Day trips to Walter Peak are still running between now and the 6th on a substitute boat at the discounted price of $105.
Hello, is it ok to take a pram on board ?
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Absolutely, the Earnslaw is pram friendly and all infants aged 4 and under travel free.
I and my wife will be visiting NZ in April 19. I am about to book TSS cruiz. Just wanted to know wjat kind of food is served in dinner. This will help me to either book cruiz with dinner or I can manage my own. Hope you will have option of dinner or it is compulsory? If mandatory, do you serve special food on request?
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Hiya, The dinner is a big (wonderful) buffet of locally sourced bbq meats, seafood, salayds, vegetables, potatoes, deserts etc. Lunch is the same without the seafood. You can go on the cruise without the food. Just select the cruise and farm tour option, or cruise only (cruise only means you cannot get off at walter peak must stay on and go back)
Hello - I was wondering if there is also a NYE cruise. I have read about it but can't find any recent information. Thank you!
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Yes there is a late cruise on New Year's eve on the Earnslaw in Queenstown. It departs at 10.30pm and costs $79 per person. You get bubbles (sparkling wine) on arrival and there is live music and finger food. You can also buy drinks on board. It returns to Queenstown bay just before midnight in time for the fireworks and you are allowed to stay on board the boat to watch (best seat in the house!). There are limited seats available so if you would like to book you need to do this well in advance. If you are interested we can email a secure payment link.
What is the cost for an adult with cruise and barbeque at lunchtime
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Hi Dennis. The cost for the Earnslaw cruise and bbq lunch at Walter Peak in Queenstown is $95 per adult with trips departing at 10am and 12pm every day except during June. See the link below for more information and to book:
http://www.everythingnewzealand.com/walter-peak-bbq-lunch-and-lake-cruise-queenstown-1210/
Do you have anything special planned for the evening of 31 Dec 2013 or is the trip the same as any other evening?
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Hi Vanessa. The Earnslaw lake cruise in Queenstown operates as normal on New Years Eve during the day. So there are the usual 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm & 6pm departures plus the lunch cruise at 12pm and the dinner cruise at 6pm. However there is also a special cruise at 10.30pm which will get back to the Queenstown harbour before the fire works at midnight. You will be able to stay on board the boat for the fireworks display (best seat in town!). Included in the price of $65 is an arrival drink, jazz band, 1.5 hour cruise of the Frankton arm of Lake Wakatipu.
Hi, I am wondering do we have to arrive the port exactly at six o clock. Is it possible to be fifteen minutes late before departure? Since I don't see any information for the departure time.
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Hi Lawrence. The evening Earnslaw cruise departs the Steamer Wharf in Queenstown at 6pm sharp. You will need to check in at the Real Journeys visitor centre 20 minutes before hand at 5.40pm.
Hi, is there access and facilities for a wheelchair?
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Hi Tim. There is wheel chair access to board the Earnslaw steamship in Queenstown as a ramp is used by all customers getting on and off the boat. You would however have to stay on the one level once on board the boat as there are stairs to get up and down the 3 different levels. There are not any wheel chair friendly toilets on board the boat unfortunately however there is a public toilet near Steamer Wharf where the boat departs from in Queenstown that is wheel chair accessible.
getting off the boat at functions is the ramp used everywhere
Thank you so much for your enquiry. Yes, there is an access ramp for wheelchairs on the TSS Earnslaw to get off at Walter Peak High Country Station.
I am interested in booking for the cruise and dinner for New Years Eve (31st Dec). What is the cost for 2 pax?
Thanks,
Angela
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Hi Angela. The cost for the evening dining at Walter Peak and the Earnslaw cruise from Queenstown on New Years eve is the same price as it is during the year. The price is currently $118 for adults and the boat departs Queenstown wharf at 6pm and returns just before 10pm. This does get booked up in advance so I recommend booking sooner rather than later. There is currently space on the evening dining for you at this stage.
Can i bring a 6 month old infant on the cruise and farm tour?
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Hi Georgina
Yes, you can bring your 6 month old with you on the Earnslaw Steamship cruise and farm tour. There is no charge for children 4 years and under.
Is there a bar on board?
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Hi Scandal, yes the Earnslaw Steamship does have a fully licensed bar on board, they also serve tea and coffee and some snacks. You may also be interested in their BBQ lunch or evening dining packages. Both of these options and a few more can be found under the "About" section.
Hi Scandal, yes the Earnslaw Steamship does have a fully licensed bar on board, they also serve tea and coffee and some snacks. You may also be interested in their BBQ lunch or evening dining packages. Both of these options and a few more can be found under the "About" section.
Does the costs for the steamship include return fares?
So for example, if I decide to take the cruise+horse trek option, after the horse trek, would I be cruising back to the starting point?
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Hi Sal, yes the return Earnslaw fare is certainly included in the cost of the Cruise and Walter Peak Horse Trek.
Hi, Is there a Cruise option for Christmas Day 2012?
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Hi Dale, yes there certainly is. The Earnslaw operates its cruise as normal on Christmas Day. Please note though the Farm Tour & BBQ lunch option is not available.
Where is the departure point in Queenstown?
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Hi Phyllis, the Earnslaw departs from Steamer Wharf which is on Shotover St on the lake front.
We'd like to book Steamship+farm+BBQ lunch for tomorrow. But I'm concerned if we have enough time to catch this trip from Airport as we take flight JQ279 from Auckland and estimated arriving at 8.45am tomorrow, then we have to take a rental car at the airport. Thanks, Jim
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Hi Jim, Good news, yes you will have time to do the Earnslaw Steamship with Farm tour and BBQ lunch. The airport is located 10 minutes drive from town and the departure point for this trip. You will have plenty of time to be able to do the 12pm tour with a check in at 11.40am.
Hi there, We are a party of 4 adults and we expect to be in your area on or about Thursday 20th September. We are looking to book the daytime cruise, farm and BBQ.
As we will only be in the district for a couple of days, what happens if the weather is really bad and the trip is cancelled ?
Would we get a refund ?
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Hi Jim. Yes that is correct. If the Earnslaw cruise, farm tour & bbq lunch or any other activity you book is cancelled due to bad weather or for any other reason then you can reschedule or receive a full refund from us.
hello! We are coming to NZ in Oct just wondering if we did the evening cruise if it was daylight savings? Didn't want to book and be in the dark on the farm and miss all those spectacular views!! Also do the bbq lunch and the evening tour have bar facilities on the farm?
We will have a booking of 15 adults, do you offer any group discounts?
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Hi Lee,
If you departed on the 6pm trip you would have more than enough time to see all the great views. The sun is setting between 8 and 8:30pm. Below is a link to the exact sunset times so you can help to work out what time best suits. There are bar facilities over at Walter Peak so there will be no reason for anyone to go dry!
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=2105&month=10&year=2012&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1
Regards,
Nigel
hi there,i am planning to come down in october and i was wondering if you do these cruises all year round particully on sundays? and if so is there still a ten am departure as your web page suggests? when i went to book it only had a 12pm departure option. . . .?
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Hi Katherine, yes the Earnslaw will be operating in October and operates everyday including Sunday's. The 10am departure is not showing in October as it is only available in the summer months.
I was wondering if you there would be a New Years Eve dining option on the Earnslaw this year and if so what the details/prices are? Thanks!
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Hi Louise, yes there is an evening dining option on New Year's Eve. The standard 6pm dining option will be available and it is $115 per adult.
Hi Just wanted to check that the TSS earnslaw will be back in the water on the 2nd July. It is something I have always wanted to do!
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Hi Rebecca, yes the TSS Earnslaw is scheduled to be back operating on the 30th June this year so you will be fine for a trip on the 2nd July.
Hi,I read somewhere saying the TSS Earnslaow will stop operating as the survery during this coming school holiday in July? just wonder if we can take steamship during 8/July~9/July? if no, is there any alternative scenic boat we can choose?thanks
Hi Stella, the Earnslaw will now be back from survey on the 14th July. This unfortunately means it will not be operating for the 8/9th July. There is a substitute launch operating in place of the Earnslaw however this is not operating for the cruise only. The substitute launch is more in place to get people to and from Walter Peak for the farm tour and bbq lunch option which is still available.
Hi Stella, the Earnslaw will now be back from survey on the 14th July. This unfortunately means it will not be operating for the 8/9th July. There is a substitute launch operating in place of the Earnslaw however this is not operating for the cruise only. The substitute launch is more in place to get people to and from Walter Peak for the farm tour and bbq lunch option which is still available.
Hi, do you take persons confined to a wheelchair on your TSS Earnslaw Lake Cruises?
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Hi Colin. Yes the Earnslaw Steamship in Queenstown is capable of accommodating customers in wheelchairs. There are several levels on board the boat which wont all be accessible but the main deck that is accessed by a ramp from the wharf has plenty of room.
Hi there
On another website I saw there is a special for kids in July that they are free? Is this the same for you guys? Also on the cruise + farm tour, is there an option for afternoon tea instead of bbq lunch on the 12noon cruise? or can you purchase food once at Walter Peak? Got a 7yr old and a 4yr old travelling in July with me and I know they will be hungry
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Hi Abby, if you choose the cruise + farm tour option (without the BBQ) then yes morning or afternoon tea is provided. Kid's specials are often available during school holidays. On the cruise + farm tour option only, kids travel free from 30th June - 15 July. This applies to kids 0-18years and there is a maximum of 2 free children per full fare-paying adult.
We will be visiting in September, will the dinner cruise be operating on the TSS Earnslaw?
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Hi Allan and Kym, yes the TSS Earnslaw evening dining option operates all year round so you are fine to book for September.
Hi am disapointed to read in your Q&A that the Earnslaw is out of action during June. We are visiting then haven't been for 18yrs my one disire was a trip to Walter Peak Station for lunch is there any other way of getting there.
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Hi Penny. Great news, there is an another launch that is being used to ferry passengers across to Walter Peak while the Earnslaw is off the water on its annual survey during June. If you would like to book this just let us know and I can guide you how to do this on our website.
Hi there, Was wondering about the same question. May I know more about the launch used to replace TSS? Is it something of a similar size and will there be some cafe facilities onboard too?
Hi Jack. The launch used to ferry passengers back and forth during this time is a much smaller boat that holds about 100 people. There are toilet facilities and drinks available on board. You can not do just the cruise only but you can book the launch across to Walter Peak to do the farm tour or bbq lunch during June while the Earnslaw is off the water.
Arriving on 31 May will Steamship be operating
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Hi Carolyn. The Earnslaw steamship is off the water on its annual survey for maintenance from the 20th May until the end of June this year (2012).
Hi. will be in Queenstown in late August and would like to know what options are available with the cruise at that time, Thanks Sandra.
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Hi Sandra,
The TSS Earnslaw does not operate all Lunch and Dinner options during the winter months. Your options in August will be Cruise only, Cruise & Farm Tour or Cruise, Farm Tour & BBQ. All of these options can be booked through our site.
How much walking is involved with the Walter Peak bbq lunch etc? (1 pax with walking stick)
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Hi Issi. There is a couple of steps you need to walk over getting on and off the Earnslaw and a little gravel around the house at Walter Peak however there is not too much walking involved if you don't want there to be and the trip would be fine for someone with walking stick. You can walk as much or as little as you like once you reach Walter Peak.
Hi
Is the cruise and evening dinning available on the 31st May?
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Hi Cheryl the Earnslaw evening cruise and dining is not available on the 31st May due to the Earnslaw being out of action from the 20th May to the 29th June on annual survey.
Just wondering how much for my daughter for cruise only, she is 3 yrs old. thanks.
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Hi Danny, children aged 0-4 years old travel for free on the Earnslaw Steamship.
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The TSS Earnslaw Steamship in Queenstown usually goes on its annual survey in May and June each year. During this time a motorised vessel will operate as a substitute.
Comment by: Everything New Zealand on 2nd May 23 at 15:06