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Motutere 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$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- 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$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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- 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 -$50.00
- 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$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- 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$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$15.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
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 1828 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased you enjoyed the relaxing journey and learning more about the Taupo area. It’s great to hear the kids loved having a turn at steering the Ernest that’s always a highlight! We truly appreciate your kind words about our crew and look forward to welcoming you back again.
Caroline Gallo from New Zealand wrote on 30 March 2026
Cruise
The tour was relaxing and beautiful! The staff were amazing explaining details to us and also so friendly!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you found the tour relaxing and beautiful, and that our team made the experience even more enjoyable with their friendliness and insights. We hope to see you again soon!
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.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Patricia! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are so glad you enjoyed your time on the water and appreciated the character of the boat. It is wonderful to hear the captain’s commentary made the experience even more engaging. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a wonderful rest of your travels!
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!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Walnetta! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your time on board and that the commentary added to your experience along the lake. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a lovely rest of your day!
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.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so pleased you enjoyed your cruise on Lake Taupo aboard the Ernest Kemp. It’s great to hear our crew, commentary, and refreshments made your experience special. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Amanda Bolley from New Zealand wrote on 31 March 2026
Relaxing family trip
Relaxed smooth journey out to the carving with great information about Taupo and surrounding area. Very children friendly. Kids had a lesson at steering the Ernest. Staff were so friendly and informative. Would definitely do this trip on the Ernest again