Our last day at Queenstown & Walter Peak Station

Tuesday was our last day in Queenstown, and Lee and I visited Walter Peak High Country Farm, a sheep station across Lake Wakatipu.



To get there, we sailed on the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship. The Earnslaw was built in 1912 in Dunedin, NZ, then dismantled and transported by rail to Kingston at the lake's southern tip for reassembly and launching. The Earnslaw has since served the remote farming communities, and her working roles have included cargo ship, livestock carrier, passenger transporter and pleasure steamer.



It was a 30 minute sail from Queenstown to Walter Peak, and although the weather was overcast when we left, the sun came out as we sailed across Lake Wakatipu. While at Walter Peak we saw alpaca and merino sheep, red deer, red long-haired Scottish cattle and the sheep dogs at work. Our tour guide also sheared a sheep! This poor sheep was rolled into every which way during the shearing, although she must have been used to it, as she didn't struggle. When he was done, the sheep was shorn, and the wool was all in one piece! It was pretty amazing! We then saw the raw wool being spun into yarn, and learned that the wool isn't cleaned until it's spun and in the yank - who knew?? You could sure feel the lanolin in the wool, which is why it was perfect for farmers and fishermen - wool sweaters never get wet all the way through, hence, neither does the wearer!



Our tour included tea in the parlor of the guest house. There were scones, piklets (little pancakes, served with butter and jam) coffee and tea. We were able to visit with the other guests, as well as the people who work there. We toured the grounds and the beautiful gardens, and saw the family home, which has roof tiles from Versaille that came over on the Earnslaw in 1912 as well!



We were at Walter Peak Station till about 3:00, at which time we headed back to Queenstown. Craig and Stephen met the steamer, and we decided that it was "beer-o'clock", so we headed off to the pub for a beer. That beer led to another one, and we just enjoyed sitting outside in the sun and people watching.



We had dinner at a lovely restaurant that overlooked the pedestrian mall. It was delicious, and a perfect way to end our last day at Queenstown.



After that, we headed back to the apartment to do some organizing for our trip back to Auckland the next morning. We had to check out by 10:00 am, which we did. We had some time to stop at a mall by the airport before we turned the car in, as well. Then, it was off to the airport! Only to learn that our flight had been delayed by nearly two hours. The weather in Queenstown had turned foggy and overcast - apparently we were taking the good weather with us!



We arrived in Auckland, where John picked us up and took us back to Hamilton.



It was a FABULOUS time in Queenstown!! We'll definitely make a return trip - it is so beautiful, and there is so much to see and do!!

Thanks, Craig and Stephen, for all your driving, and knowing the things that we shouldn't miss!






The TSS Earnslaw steamer, at dock in Queenstown. I watched them load tons of coal into the hold before we sailed.



Queenstown, getting further away, as we sailed to Walter Peak



Coming into Walter Peak



This shorn sheep in front is an Alpaca



Isn't he cute??



This big, woolly guy is a Merino - their wool brings high prices.



Here are the red Scottish cattle that the dog rounded up and brought in. Both the cows and bulls have horns, and they are short-legged. They are raised for meat.



Here's our tour guide with the dog that rounded up the cattle.



This is the family home at Walter Peak, with it's tile roof



This is the house where we had tea. There is also a restaurant there. The gardens were just beautiful



Where tea was served. It was very yummy! Our tour group was a real UN - there were people from Russia, Japan, US, Australia, Canada, Holland and China. In fact, as you walked around Queenstown, you could hear many different languages being spoken.





Looking out on Lake Wakatipu from Walter Peak



We got a kick out of this - there was a large rock on a rope hanging next to this sign. The rock was dry!



A view of the dock.



Here come the sheep - on the run!



Here's the poor ewe - getting shorn! You should have seen some of the positions he put her in!



More shearing!!



All done!



And there on the table, all in one piece, is her wool!



And here it is, being spun into yarn.



Leaving Walter Peak - all of the people were on the deck, waving to us as we left.



Heading back to Queenstown



The steamship in action!



Back in Queenstown, we visited the little stone church where Bryan's nephew will be married in July. Lee wrote them a message in the guest book.



Inside the church



Craig and I at 'beer o'clock'!



And Craig and Lee, toasting a fabulous trip!



The morning we were leaving Queenstown, this is what we woke up to - time to leave!


At the airport, waiting for the flight to Auckland.