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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$45.00
- Child$15.00
- 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$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 -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- 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$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 -$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$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$10.00
- 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$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$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$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$50.00
- 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$15.00
- 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
- 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
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 1801 authenticated Bookme reviews
Anne Bernard from New Zealand wrote on 07 February 2026
Ernest Kemp Boat Trip to Rock Carvings
The tour was so very relaxing. We felt safe and comfortable in the hands of the captain and crew. The crew were very attentive and engaging. The trip was on a beautiful sunny calm day on Lake Taupo and the Ernest Kemp was just the boat to do the trip on. Kudos to artist Matahi Brightwell and his team who created this giant Ngātoroirangi Rock Carving in the 70s. It was such a treat to finally be able to see the carvings up close.
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.
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.
niraj from New Zealand wrote on 07 February 2026
Review – Ernest Kemp
We had a wonderful experience on the Ernest Kemp cruise to the Lake Taupo Māori Rock Carvings. The staff were absolutely fantastic – very friendly, helpful, and professional. Their service and attitude truly made the trip enjoyable. Everything was well explained, and the overall experience was memorable. Great job to the whole team! One small concern: the cruise seemed quite full, and a few passengers had to stand as there were no seats available. If the boat was at or near full capacity, this could potentially raise health and safety concerns. It might be worth reviewing passenger numbers to ensure everyone can travel comfortably and safely. Overall, a great experience and highly recommended!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Niraj! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re thrilled you had a wonderful experience and that our team made such a positive impact. We will pass on your kind words. We appreciate your feedback about seating. Please be assured we always plan for enough seats for all passengers, and we will continue to monitor numbers to keep things comfortable and safe for everyone. Have a lovely day.
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!
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Leigh Buchan from New Zealand wrote on 08 February 2026
Delightful way to spend 2hrs on the lake
Headed out on the morning cruise. Were forewarned was a bit choppy but that didn't ruin the experience in anyway. Enjoyed seeing the mainland from the lake and the commentary from Peter was informative and humourous. Azura in the office was helpful and Libby (crew) really friendly. Always nice to have great customer service from start to finish. Seeing the carvings through our own eyes was the icing on the cake. Highly recommend joining the Ernest Kemp team for a couple of hours to enjoy this beautiful lake while in Taupo.