TSS Earnslaw, a more sedate affair

Yesterday we had a much more sedate and leisurely boat ride. We took a trip aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a steamship built in 1912, it is the only coal-fired passenger ship still in regular use in the Southern Hemisphere. The ship makes several trips a day across the lake to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where visitors can tour a real working farm and have high tea, or perhaps a full lunch or dinner. We went for the high tea service and farm tour and couldn't have been happier with our outing. The organizers do a fantastic job making the trip entertaining and informative without being too gimmicky.

The ship's engine room is open for viewing and it's pretty cool to see the interior workings of the coal ship. The ship also serves food and drink, has a piano player for entertainment, maintains a small museum, and has many decks inside and out. It's really a beautiful old ship, and we both remarked on how quiet it is and also how fast. Queenstown, the lake and mountain scenery are lovely from the water, it's the first time we've seen the area from this vantage point.

Once we arrived at the farm we were taken to see some of the animals that live on the farm, deer, sheep and Scottish highland cattle. We were able to feed the deer and sheep as you can see above, and Elle did a very good job of making sure they all got their fill. A highlight though, had to be Elle and Liam bottle-feeding a baby lamb. Adorable!

After this, we were taken to the main house for high tea. It was a beautiful place to relax, and Elle loved taking pictures of the many flowers that adorn the grounds.

Next up, we were taken for a demonstration on how the dogs herd the sheep. Quite entertaining and informative. Elle giggled like crazy. Then, we were led in for a sheep shearing demonstration. The sheeps are shorn once a year, and according to the shearer, they don't always like the process of being shorn but love the results. The amount of wool that came off was incredible, but I found it astounding that the entire amount would only sell for about $6 US. He told us that NZ used to have over 70 million sheep, but that number has fallen to about 3.5 million due to the very, very low returns.

Finally, we were led inside for a spinning demonstration and ultimately to the gift shop. Of course!

Then, we boarded the ship for home. Fun for all, and a lot of learning too.