Steampunk Holiday
Yesterday I posted about Queenstown, its spectacular natural beauty and historic heritage—but there was another important aspect to the trip, that began in Queenstown but was most notably encountered in coastal Oamaru.
Yes, the holiday had steampunk elements. 😉
In Queenstown it was more steam than punk, making the return lake crossing in the coal-fired steamer the TSS Earnslaw. Still, for those who love the steampunk genre, or simply the mechanical age, staring down into the Earnslaw’s engine room with the coal being shovelled and all the pistons, widgits, and intricate gadgetry of a complex mechanical engine working—well, it’s quite something.
As is that smokestack, which does make one reflect that it’s probably just as well, for the health of the planet, that they’re restricted to a few historic trains and vessels—and within the pages of steampunk adventures!
Steampunk HQ though—that’s not in or even near Queenstown, but resides in historic Oamaru. I posted about Steampunk Oamaru last year, but there is something rather special about seeing the juxtaposition of the Victorian whitestone (limestone) buildings and the steampunk imagination in person.
Although the steampunk festival was in September (or so I was told) the town was still celebrating steampunk with an exhibition in the mainstreet Forrester Gallery, and another at the premises of the local Arts Society. Both were very good, with some fascinating steampunk creations on display.
And then there’s that Steampunk HQ with the in situ “battle engine”…
So if you’re a steampunk afficionado, a visit down this way could be part of your next holiday plan. I enjoyed my tatse of steampunk Oamaru and would be keen to return for either the steampunk or heritage week celebrations—but next year!
Hi Helen.
Did you see that visiting author William Jon Williams went to Oamaru last year?
http://www.walterjonwilliams.net/2012/11/steampunk-town/
I think it was this year, Paul–because we caught up with him last night here in Christchurch: today’s post!
Ack, I meant this year. You went last year. And I see you guys did Meet. Nice!
I went this year, too.:) But first talked about it last year on the blog…
Helen
Discovered this in Feb 2011 (just before the ‘quakes). Lovely lovely stuff. Just bought ‘Morlock Nights’ to kick off some Steampunk reading (once I’ve finished ‘Waylander II).
Kind regards
Robin
Am going to do a post on my favorite epic reads, just for you—as soon as I can.:)
And … try this
http://space1889.blogspot.co.nz/
R
Very cool!