TSS Earnslaw Steamship Gearing Up For Centenary Celebrations in 2012
It is full steam ahead with plans for the 2012 centenary celebrations for Queenstown’s iconic TSS Earnslaw.
Real Journeys is already gearing up for what promises to be a major celebration in the town for both locals and visitors.
Commissioned on 18 October 1912, the grand old Lady of the Lake is one of the last remaining coal fired passenger vessels still operating in the southern hemisphere.
Originally built to service the remote farming communities around Lake Wakatipu, the TSS Earnslaw was one of several steamers that plied the lake transporting up to 1500 sheep and 30 cattle on her decks.
As road access around the lake improved in the 1960’s, demand for the TSS Earnslaw’s services declined. Fiordland Travel, now Real Journeys, bought the steamship from New Zealand Railways and began operating her as a tourism venture in 1969.
The TSS Earnslaw was restored to her former glory with a complete refit including closing in the upper deck, creating the Promenade café and exposing the engine room for viewing from above.
Even at this stage in her interesting career the TSS Earnslaw is still marking major milestones such as the recent signing off of Lisa McIlroy as the first female skipper in the vessel’s 98 year history.
The TSS Earnslaw also continues to symbolise glamour and elegance - being used for several photo and film shoots this year including a fashion shoot with top female Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor.
Activities already being planned for the Earnslaw’s centenary celebrations in October 2012 include a programme for local school children, senior citizens, the farming community around Lake Wakatipu and former staff members, a cocktail evening at Walter Peak and special anniversary cruises to Kingston and Glenorchy.
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For more information come and see us at TRENZ or make contact via phone or email:
Robyn Jebson
Real Journeys General Manager Marketing and National Sales
Real Journeys Booth # 2016
Mobile 027 222 5851
Tel +64 3 442 7509
rjebson@realjourneys.co.nz
or
Gabby Lake
Real Journeys Marketing Communications Co-ordinator
DDI +64 3 442 4830
glake@realjourneys.co.nz for more information or images attached to this release.
Real Journeys
Level 2, 74 Shotover Street
PO Box 94, Queenstown 9348,
New Zealand
Tel + 64 3 442 7509
marketing@realjourneys.co.nz
We would be happy to provide:
• A media kit
• CD Rom - Real Journeys Fiordland and Queenstown Image Library
• CD Rom - Stewart Island Image Library
• Media release related images are available on our website www.realjourneys.co.nz
• The TRENZ 2010 edition of Conservation Matters
