TSS Earnslaw Steamship in Queenstown 🇳🇿 | The Most "Chill" Activity

Of all the activities in Queenstown, the TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship is probably the most "emotionally stable" one—which is to say, it might be a bit boring for some. The experience goes like this: 🚢 Take a scenic cruise 🍽️ Enjoy lunch/afternoon tea ✂️ Watch sheep shearing & sheepdog demonstrations 🚢 Cruise back to Queenstown It’s a great way to kill time, but compared to Queenstown’s adrenaline-pumping adventures, it’s definitely not the most exciting. However, its biggest advantage? Low cancellation rates—so even if the weather’s being "very Queenstown," you can still count on this one! 📌 Booking Tips We booked our tickets on Fliggy (FeiZhu) for ¥582/person (steamship + BBQ lunch + farm tour), which was cheaper than the official website + had more flexible refund policies. Highly recommend! (Store: Christchurchairport Travel) ⏰ Schedule & Seating Departure: 12:00 PM (boarding starts at 11:40 AM) Seating: By the time we boarded, all window seats were gone—so arrive early if you want a view! (But you can always step outside for photos—the deck is spacious.) Motion: The ship is large and barely rocks, so it’s great for those prone to seasickness. 🍖 Onboard Lunch (BBQ Buffet) 45-minute cruise to Walter Peak Farm Lunch is pre-assigned (staff check your booking) Food: Decent BBQ spread—I thought it was okay, but my two friends hated it 😅 (No alternatives, though—it’s all included in the ticket.) Drinks cost extra. 🐑 Farm Show (Sheep Shearing & Sheepdogs) Due to recent storms, the woolly sheep couldn’t be transported, so we only saw the sheepdog demonstration—but it was still fun! The dogs were incredibly well-trained, and the host (a tall, charismatic Kiwi woman) was super friendly—even posed for a photo with me! ✅ Final Verdict The TSS Earnslaw is a relaxed, family-friendly activity. If you want a low-stress way to fill half a day (and not worry about where to eat lunch), it’s a solid choice! Total time: 3.5–4 hours. Pro tip: Pair this with a Skyline Gondola ride + dinner later to round out your day! #NewZealand #NZTravel #SouthIslandNZ #Queenstown #TSSEarnslaw #FarmExperience