TSS Earnslaw Cruise
RealNZ
4.4 80 reviews
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Cymen Crick
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Save 10% with promo code RANKERS
Save 10% with promo code RANKERS
I’d choose the TSS Earnslaw Steamship over the slightly cheaper other ferries. Step back in time and slow down.
Here’s how I’d do it.
I’m normally a fan of the early morning for calmer waters, but the light on the mountains might even be better later in the day. Either way, I’d go early or late as it’s quieter on those sailings.
Check in early to get a window seat inside (if it’s chilly) or a good viewing spot clear of the funnels on the open deck. Either way, bring warm clothing so you can spend some time on the outer deck for the views.
Visit the steam engine room, and the wee museum, it’s why you chose the Earnslaw!
I’m a fan of the buffet meal myself. We have friends that run NZ food tours and the Earnslaw buffet is one of their favourite options.
Promo code RANKERS for Save 10% both the Cruise only and the Cruise + Farm and Buffet experience.
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Details
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Organisation |
RealNZCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Cruises run regularly throughout the day, every day of the year, except during annual maintenance from May 18 to June 26, 2026. Check-in is required 20 minutes before departure. |
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Promo Code 10% Off |
Use discount code RANKERS with TSS Earnslaw Cruise and 10% off. |
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Boat Cruises
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Reviews
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Excellent activity and worth the money.
Lucy Duffy -
Nostalgic trip.
john west -
Great boat tour to Walter Peak.
Alice Galley -
Nice trip.
Andreas Brett -
Chill out and relax
beesom
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It was really easy and organised logically, we found the Real Journeys office really easy and they printed off our tickets right away.
The boat ride was nice with good scenery and photo opportunities. The farm was such a great experience, the animals were so cute and friendly and our guide was very good at giving us explanations about the sheep shearing. We had a small group on the farm tour which was good, most people went to the BBQ lunch but I was more than happy getting to feed the animals and getting some cute photos! We then got afternoon tea and the sultana scones were amazing!
I was also going to book a milford sound tour but unfortunately after I booked and paid I realised that it clashed with something else I already booked that I couldn't change. Real journeys were so nice and understanding, they allowed me to cancel it and get a refund. Saved me so much stress!
Real journeys and Walter Peak are great people to deal with, thank you!
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$79 per adult is a little expensive but for us it was the perfect trip on a beautiful sunny day.
We had a tour of the farmfed animals, saw sheep shearing, delicious high tea (unlimited), walked through rose gardens. And all this after a ride on a vintage steamboat to and from Queenstown. I would do this again over any of the Milford Sound trips!
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Great views of Lake Wakatipu, very big steamship but a lot of tourists.
Can be quite pricey but the buffet lunch was yummy with good quality food.
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We had a wonderful day on this old paddle steamer and at the sheep station.
The boat leaves from Queenstown and takes you over to the farm station where we watched the sheep dogs rounding up the sheep.
We could also pat the sheep and some people had a go at trying to shear one! Well worth the day.
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This trip on the TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown was one of the many highlights on our tour of the South Island.
To be able to enter the engine room area and experience the sound, smells and vibrations of the 2 steam engines and watch the stokers feed the boilers and the engine drivers follow the commands from the bridge brought boyhood memories flooding back. Take any trip they offer that suits you and I'm sure you too will come away with memories that will last you a lifetime !
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Trip on Earnslaw to Mitre Peak station.
Great trip, lovely people to deal with - had a great time.
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Pleasant experience - only marred by our oriental tourists - do they think they will miss something if they are not first in queue ?
Enjoyed the peace and tranquility.
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A little twee old fashioned (although historical) commentary over the top.
Too many rude brunettes. For the over 80's.
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This WOULD have been a beautiful cruise had it not been booked with twice as many people as what should have been on the tour.
You were squeezed onto the boat (which is a large boat...there were just so many people) where you jostled for a seat, off the boat and off to the farm tour. This would have been good if we could have found a seat (none left) and been able to see. This was followed by a morning tea where everyone was grabbing at the food afraid they were going to miss out because there were so many people. Then it was time to go. Another stream of people came off one end of the returning boat and were squeezed back on the other end. We called it the sausage factory! Very disappointing for the amount of money we paid!
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It was really easy and organised logically, we found the Real Journeys office really easy and they printed off our tickets right away.
The boat ride was nice with good scenery and photo opportunities. The farm was such a great experience, the animals were so cute and friendly and our guide was very good at giving us explanations about the sheep shearing. We had a small group on the farm tour which was good, most people went to the BBQ lunch but I was more than happy getting to feed the animals and getting some cute photos! We then got afternoon tea and the sultana scones were amazing!
I was also going to book a milford sound tour but unfortunately after I booked and paid I realised that it clashed with something else I already booked that I couldn't change. Real journeys were so nice and understanding, they allowed me to cancel it and get a refund. Saved me so much stress!
Real journeys and Walter Peak are great people to deal with, thank you!
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$79 per adult is a little expensive but for us it was the perfect trip on a beautiful sunny day.
We had a tour of the farmfed animals, saw sheep shearing, delicious high tea (unlimited), walked through rose gardens. And all this after a ride on a vintage steamboat to and from Queenstown. I would do this again over any of the Milford Sound trips!
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Great views of Lake Wakatipu, very big steamship but a lot of tourists.
Can be quite pricey but the buffet lunch was yummy with good quality food.
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This WOULD have been a beautiful cruise had it not been booked with twice as many people as what should have been on the tour.
You were squeezed onto the boat (which is a large boat...there were just so many people) where you jostled for a seat, off the boat and off to the farm tour. This would have been good if we could have found a seat (none left) and been able to see. This was followed by a morning tea where everyone was grabbing at the food afraid they were going to miss out because there were so many people. Then it was time to go. Another stream of people came off one end of the returning boat and were squeezed back on the other end. We called it the sausage factory! Very disappointing for the amount of money we paid!
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A little twee old fashioned (although historical) commentary over the top.
Too many rude brunettes. For the over 80's.
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This trip on the TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown was one of the many highlights on our tour of the South Island.
To be able to enter the engine room area and experience the sound, smells and vibrations of the 2 steam engines and watch the stokers feed the boilers and the engine drivers follow the commands from the bridge brought boyhood memories flooding back. Take any trip they offer that suits you and I'm sure you too will come away with memories that will last you a lifetime !
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Pleasant experience - only marred by our oriental tourists - do they think they will miss something if they are not first in queue ?
Enjoyed the peace and tranquility.
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This was an interesting trip but felt a bit put off by the staff who obviously have had their fill of tourists.
Boat trip to Walter Peak was relaxing although busy. When we got to the farm we can only describe the scene as chaos as no one seemed to know what was going on. Food at BBQ was good but again we felt we were wandering around prior to finding it a bit lost. Touch more organisation please.
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We had a wonderful day on this old paddle steamer and at the sheep station.
The boat leaves from Queenstown and takes you over to the farm station where we watched the sheep dogs rounding up the sheep.
We could also pat the sheep and some people had a go at trying to shear one! Well worth the day.
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Trip on Earnslaw to Mitre Peak station.
Great trip, lovely people to deal with - had a great time.
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Very nice, enjoyable for children.
Even better when weather good. Tour guide was great - very joyful.
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Heritage trip to Walter Peak Homestead - fabulous weather and small number on trip helped.
Excellent guide, well worthwhile.
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