Queenstown, New Zealand - Day 3
Known as the "Lady of the Lake", the TSS Earnslaw was first launched in 1912. Now, over 100 years later, it's believed to be the oldest working coal-fired steamship in the Southern Hemisphere.
TSS stands for Twin Screw Steamship - the boat is propelled by two screws, one on each side of the plane of the keel.
Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's third largest lake, and its longest. Its distinctive shape is said to be a hollow made by the bent legs of a giant, Matau, burnt to death after abducting a chief's daughter.
Every five minutes, Lake Wakatipu rises and falls by around 10cm (about 4 inches) and legend has it that this is caused by Matau's still-beating heart - but science says it's because of fluctuating atmospheric pressure.
The lake has a depth of 420 meters (1,378 feet) at its deepest point and the highest mountain bordering it is 2819 meters high (9,249 feet) - this is Mount Earnslaw, which gave the TSS Earnslaw her name.
Founded in 1860 as Walter Peak Station, Walter Peak High Country Farm is still running today. Its most famous proprietors were the Mackenzie family who took it over in the 1880's, developing many principles of successful high country farming.
The Mackenzie family also built the homestead and planted the renowned lakeside gardens.
Dinner at Fishbone....not Bonefish like in the US!
Both Tom & I tried a new fish (new to us) - Gurnard. We each had a different preparation of this flaky white fish....both delicious.
Claudia would love to have been there for the sheep shearing. Did they sell any of the wool?
ReplyDeleteYes, Claudia would have loved the sheep shearing demonstration.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing they did sell some of the wool - however, we were so busy walking around the gardens that we never made it to the gift shop.....guess Claudia will just have to go to New Zealand herself to check out the wool in Queenstown!