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Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
Join us for a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Lake Taupo aboard The Ernest Kemp, a beautiful vintage replica steamboat!
Join us for a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Lake Taupo aboard The Ernest Kemp, a beautiful vintage replica steamboat!
Highlights
- Experience an amazing two hour cruise along the spectacular Lake Taupo!
- Enjoy your cruise in a beautiful vintage replica steam boat
- Visit the famous Maori Rock Carvings
- Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and cookies!
Lake Taupo, one of the largest freshwater volcanic craters in the world, is home to the famous Maori Rock Carvings.
Only accessible by boat, we will get you the closest to these incredible 10 metre high carvings which tower high over New Zealand’s largest lake. Learn about the spiritual and cultural significance of the area from your skippers interesting and informative commentary.
With comfortable seating both inside and out, bathroom facilities and a licensed bar, we’ll ensure your cruise on the Ernest Kemp will be warm and comfortable. Your skipper even welcomes you to join him in the wheelhouse and take a turn at the wheel! Bring a towel as there may be an opportunity for a swim *at skippers discretion.
The Ernest Kemp cruise is an enjoyable outing and a great way to see the Maori Rock Carvings and to get out onto Lake Taupo.
Cruise Duration:
10:30am and 2pm = 2 hour (approx).
9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm, and 6:30pm = 1.5 hour (approx).
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$35.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support
- emergencyThe crew is super friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience enjoyable for everyone (45 people said this).
- emergencyThe cruise offers stunning views of Lake Taupo and the Maori rock carvings, which are a highlight of the trip (40 people said this).
- emergencyPassengers appreciated the opportunity to steer the boat, especially kids who received certificates (20 people said this).
- emergencyComplimentary drinks and snacks, like tea and cookies, were a nice touch (30 people said this).
- emergencyThe vintage boat adds charm to the experience, making it feel unique (25 people said this).
- emergencyMany found the cruise to be great value for money, with a relaxing atmosphere (35 people said this).
- star_shineBring a camera for great photo opportunities.
Dress warmly if it's a chilly day.
Showing all 1826 authenticated Bookme reviews
Walnetta McCall from New Zealand wrote on 26 March 2026
The shores of Lake Taupo
Enjoyed seeing the carvings aboard the Ernest Kemp. A highlight of the voyage was the interesting commentary that followed the coastline and its features!
Sccott Clark from New Zealand wrote on 24 March 2026
Cruise on lake Taupo
We had a very enjoyable trip on Lake Taupo aboard an old timer launch called the Ernest Kemp. Great crew good commentary through out the trip. Very friendly staff. Tea, coffee, biscuits, beer, wine cheese board. Has it all. Highly recommend this cruise.
Natalie Bruetsch from Switzerland wrote on 23 March 2026
Great trip
Super friendly staff - cruise was what was promised!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Natalie! Thank you for your review, we appreciate your kind words and are pleased to hear our crew and the cruise itself was up to your expectations. Have a lovely day!
danisa from New Zealand wrote on 20 March 2026
Great experience
Great experience. Crew was great. Lots of interesting commentary along the ride. Option to have a swim, by the rock carvings, was great on a fantastic Day.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Danisa! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re glad you enjoyed your experience with Ernest Kemp and had a great time on Lake Taupō. It’s great to hear the crew and commentary added to your visit to the Māori Rock Carvings. Have a great rest of your day!
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Patricia Bakker from Netherlands wrote on 28 March 2026
Lovely boat trip with great information
The boat itself is lovely with character, the lake needs no words, beautiful, the captain has a very enjoyable way of sharing his knowledge about the lake, the boat and more. Really good.