The Historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship – A Queenstown Icon Since 1912
New Zealand’s Last Remaining Coal-Fired Passenger Steamship
Relive the Golden Age of Steam Travel on Lake Wakatipu
Step aboard a living legend. The TSS Earnslaw, affectionately known as the “Lady of the Lake,” is more than just a vessel — it’s a floating time capsule that has been part of Queenstown’s landscape for over a century.
Launched in the same year as the Titanic, this coal-fired steamship has faithfully cruised the crystal waters of Lake Wakatipu since 1912, serving as a vital transport link, cargo carrier, and now a beloved tourism icon.
With its polished brass fittings, towering funnel, and working steam engines, the Earnslaw offers a rare chance to experience an era when travel was as much about the journey as the destination.
Origins and Construction
Commissioned by New Zealand Railways to service the remote communities scattered around Lake Wakatipu, the TSS Earnslaw was designed by naval architect Hugh McRae.
Built by J. McGregor & Co. in Dunedin, the vessel’s hull was crafted from Siemens-Martin steel, while its decks were made from native New Zealand kauri timber — a hallmark of quality shipbuilding at the time.
Once completed, the entire vessel was disassembled into more than 1700 parts, shipped by rail to Kingston at the southern tip of the lake, and reassembled onsite.
The Earnslaw was launched on 24 February 1912, just two months before the Titanic.
Vital Transport Link for a Remote Region
For the early communities along Lake Wakatipu’s shores, the Earnslaw was a lifeline.
Capable of carrying over 1,000 passengers along with sheep, cattle, and cargo, she became the primary link between Queenstown and remote settlements such as Glenorchy and Walter Peak Station.
From schoolchildren and farmers to tourists and postal workers, thousands relied on the Earnslaw for regular, reliable transport across the often unpredictable lake.
Threat of Decommissioning and a New Beginning
By the 1960s, improved road access and declining demand led to a proposal to scrap the steamship.
Public outcry was swift, and the vessel was spared destruction thanks to the growing recognition of its cultural and historical value. In 1969, Fiordland Travel (now RealNZ) took over operations and began preserving the vessel as a heritage icon.
A significant refurbishment in the 1980s saw the Earnslaw restored to her former glory, with careful attention paid to preserving original components such as the engine room, riveted steelwork, and period fixtures.
A Living Museum on the Water
Today, the TSS Earnslaw operates as one of Queenstown’s most popular tourist attractions. The ship offers daily cruises across Lake Wakatipu to destinations such as Walter Peak High Country Farm, where guests enjoy farm tours and gourmet BBQ lunches.
Onboard, visitors can explore the engine room to see the original steam engines in action and browse historic photographs in the ship’s mini museum.
The Earnslaw is also one of the few remaining coal-fired passenger vessels in operation anywhere in the world — and the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hosting Royalty, Film Crews, and Global Guests
The Earnslaw has played host to royalty, celebrities, and adventurers alike. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip cruised aboard the vessel during their royal tour in 1990, and film buffs may recognise her from movies like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
She’s also been officially recognised as a significant engineering landmark by the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand and is listed as a Category 1 historic place in the Queenstown-Lakes District Plan.
Preserving the Future of a National Treasure
While the ship remains coal-fired to this day, RealNZ is currently exploring more sustainable energy options to ensure the Earnslaw can operate responsibly into the future.
Biofuels, electric hybrids, and even hydrogen are all under review as part of a larger conservation effort.
No matter what the future holds, the Earnslaw will continue to enchant visitors with her rhythmic engines, elegant decks, and panoramic views of Queenstown and the Southern Alps.
Plan Your Cruise Aboard the TSS Earnslaw
Whether you’re stepping aboard for a scenic cruise or exploring Queenstown’s rich history, the TSS Earnslaw offers an unforgettable experience.
Don’t just see Lake Wakatipu — steam across it in vintage style aboard New Zealand’s most beloved steamship.
Price: Adults: $109 pp – Children $55
Duration: 1 hour 30 mins
Departs: 12:oo pm – 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm
Fascinating Facts About the TSS Earnslaw Queenstown’s Grand Old Lady of The Lake
TSS in TSS Earnslaw stands for Twin Screw Steamer or that it was launched in 1912, the same year as the doomed RMS Titanic. There are so many interesting and quirky facts that even our locals may not know about this 109-year-old steamship – here are just a few…
- The TSS Earnslaw was named after Mt Earnslaw, located at the northern end of Lake Whakatipu in Aspiring National Park.
- in 1912 the boat was constructed by J. McGregor and Co in Dunedin. The company won the government tender to construct
the vessel for £20,850 and the boat was run as part of the New Zealand Railways network. - Although her maiden voyage on Lake Whakatipu was on 24th February 1912, the Lady of the Lake celebrates her birthday on the 18th of October as that is the day of her first official voyage with paying passengers.
- In days gone by, the TSS Earnslaw worked primarily as a cargo ship, with space for 1,500 sheep and 30 cattle on her decks.
- The TSS Earnslaw made a brief cameo appearance in the movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) as an Amazon Riverboat.
- The TSS Earnslaw uses 1 tonne of coal every hour.
- The TSS Earnslaw travels 1.5 times the circumference of the earth each year. Not bad for a 109-year-old steamship!
- In 1998, under the Queenstown-Lakes District Plan, the TSS Earnslaw was listed as Category One Heritage, the first vessel in New Zealand to be protected by a district plan.
- Today, the TSS Earnslaw serves as a wonderful reminder of a bygone steam age and a connection to Queenstown’s pioneering past. As one of only a handful of coal-fired steamships in operation around the world and the only Twin Screw Steamer in the Southern Hemisphere, a cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw is a truly unique experience.
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