A clear lake situated in high mountain country with an old port town served by a coal fired steamboat, complete with twin triple expansion engines and locomotive boilers - fairly close to heaven. The inexpensive but delicious fare served in the nearby Irish pub almost eliminated any differences between the two.
Queenstown is considered by Kiwis to be crass and commercial, but to American eyes that aspect is somewhat understated although present in the souvenier shops, etc. A pleasant cultural difference to be sure.
The steamboat runs to the Walters Peak Farm, where visitors get first hand up close demonstrations of the sheep and cattle culture which form the agricultural economic base of rural NZ, and are served a pleasant tea before boarding for the return trip. I recommend riding in the engine room, on the grating above the engines, where a steam fanatic can see and smell and hear everything done to keep the ship under way.
On to the next stop: ZIG ZAG RAILWAY
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