Our first full day in Queenstown starts by watching a nice sunrise over Lake Wakatipu.
After lounging about and having a late breakfast we walk 15 minutes downhill to the wharf and check-in early for our noon cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw. We have about an hour to take photo's and explore the wharf and shops before our boarding.
The TSS Earnslaw is a 1912 twin steam screw (TSS) boat which has served the lake for over 100 years. It is proud to say it is the last commercial passenger coal-fired steamship in the Southern Hemisphere.
Our 45 minute picturesque trip takes us across the lake to Walter Peak. There's an option to go on a local (tourist) farm tour at Walter Peak Station, us we opt to just do the 45 minute return voyage right away. During our crossings we have the opportunity to see the engine room as well as to enjoy the scenery and have some snacks.
As this is a good weather day our next destination is the Skyline Gondola, up the hill from the wharf. The gondola goes up Bob's Peak. When we approach the ticket booth we realize that this is an entire entertainment complex. In addition to gondola ride to the viewing building/cafe there are options to bungee jump, mountain bike, and luge on the mountain top. I know you'll be surprised, but we did not bungee jump. We enjoy the wonderful views of the lake and the mountains and watch the adrenaline junkies.
After our gondola ride we stroll through the Queenstown Cemetery. There's some interesting monuments, some from the early 1900's.
 | It's 4 pm and we've only had coffee's and a snack since breakfast. Pog Mahones Irish Pub serves food all day (unlike many other restaurants) so we stop in. William has a burger with a pint and I enjoy a flavorful bowl of Irish lamb stew with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Afterwards we walk to the local grocery store for a few supplies then hail a taxi which takes us uphill to our bach. It's been a fun day playing tourist. |
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