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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$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- 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$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$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- 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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$35.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$35.00 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 -$45.00 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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00
- 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$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$55.00
- 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$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$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- 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$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$30.00 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 1798 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Margo! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and share your experience with us. We’re really glad you enjoyed being out on the lake and learning more about the area. It’s great to hear our crew made you feel welcome and well looked after. We will pass on your kind words! We wish you all the best.
Amelia Lategan from New Zealand wrote on 02 February 2026
Awesome day out
Thank you for a lovely day and all the information shared. Thank you so much
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Amelia! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We’re really glad to hear you had an awesome day out and enjoyed the information shared during your visit. Your kind feedback truly means a lot to us. Wishing you a wonderful rest of your travels and a great day ahead!
Rocio Felipe from Spain wrote on 02 February 2026
Amazing trip !
I was very happy. I highly recommend the experience. I recommend it to everyone.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Rocio! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re so happy to hear that you had an amazing trip and that the experience made you feel so happy. We truly appreciate you recommending us to others. It means a great deal to our team. Have a great day!
Shayne Sullivan from New Zealand wrote on 30 January 2026
Must do Taupō
10/10 must do. Staff were amazing and the trip itself was definitely worth it.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Shayne! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re delighted to hear you felt the experience was worth it and that our staff made such a great impression. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a fantastic rest of your travels and a lovely day ahead.
Donna Green from New Zealand wrote on 22 January 2026
Well worth it!
A great experience. Highly recommend. Great staff!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Donna! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re delighted you enjoyed the experience and the team on board. We will pass on your kind words! Have a lovely day.
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Margo Korneluk from Canada wrote on 03 February 2026
Rock Carving Cruise
This was a good opportunity to see Lake Taupo from the water and to hear some of the history of the area. It was a good deal for the money. The crew were very pleasant and helpful.