Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1836

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).

Adult $55.00 (10:30am and 2pm Departures)
Adult - $50.00 (9am and 12:30pm departures )
Child $15.00 (0-15 yrs old)

What's included

  • Informative commentary
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and cookies
  • 2 hour cruise on 10:30am and 2pm departures
  • 1.5 hour cruise on 9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm

Duration

  • Allow approximately 2 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Berth #2
  • Taupo Marina
  • Redoubt Street.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • Important: Cancellations made within 24 hours will receive no refund. Tickets are non-transferable and are unable to be rescheduled. Please ensure you book the correct departure time.

    Upon arrival: Please report to Berth 2 Taupo Marina, Redoubt St approx. 10 -15 mins prior to departure. You need to meet in front of the red sign in front of the Ernest Kemp ready to board. Our crew member will meet you and your booking will be in our system.

Available Bookings from20 Apr to 3 May 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

Change Dates
Mon 20 Apr
Tue 21 Apr
Wed 22 Apr
Thu 23 Apr
Fri 24 Apr
Sat 25 Apr
Sun 26 Apr
Mon 27 Apr
Tue 28 Apr
Wed 29 Apr
Thu 30 Apr
Fri 1 May
Sat 2 May
Sun 3 May

Bookings close in 6 hours...

  • 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$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$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 -$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

Bookings close in 10 hours...

  • 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$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$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
Beautiful experience 5 stars experience! Beautiful Amazing Boat trip The perfect family adventure!
1 / 382
appsShow all photos

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.

4.7

1836 reviews

Showing all 1836 authenticated Bookme reviews

Sara Carlton from United Kingdom wrote on 19 April 2026

Relaxing trip

Good way to pass a couple of hours . Lovely hosts. Drinks served onboard very pleasant

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

Adam Pakai from Hungary wrote on 17 April 2026

Beautiful experience

The crew took really good care of us, incl. our lovely skipper, who has turned out to be an excellent storyteller. Thank you 😊

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

Priscila from New Zealand wrote on 14 April 2026

5 stars experience!

We took our family from Brazil to Taupō and spent the morning on the Ernest Kemp cruise around Lake Taupō. They absolutely loved the experience! The team were fantastic, and everything was so well run. We’d highly recommend this to anyone visiting Taupō.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear your family from Brazil loved their time on Lake Taupō. It’s great to know the team and experience made such a positive impression. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you all again soon! Warm regards, The Team at Ernest Kemp

Moana from New Zealand wrote on 14 April 2026

Beautiful

Definitely worth the trip and cost! On a beautiful day, it was spectacular! We even had the opportunity to jump in and swim in the lake right near the Carvings. It was so refreshing anf well worth the trip!

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you had a spectacular day and enjoyed the swim—it sounds like a perfect experience. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

slide87 from New Zealand wrote on 13 April 2026

Amazing Boat trip

What an AMZING experience. The ride itself was great, but the Captain's knowledge and guided tour around the lake made it more worth the ride. From sharp comments, jokes and facts that blew our minds, made for one epic afternoon.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for the amazing review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the ride and the captain’s knowledge, humor, and storytelling. Hope to see you again for another epic trip! Warm regards, The Team at Ernest Kemp

close

Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult 10:30am and 2pm Departures

Adult - 9am and 12:30pm departures

Adult 4:30pm and 6:30pm departures

Child 0-15 yrs old

Child 0-15 yrs old

Child 12.30pm Departure

*This option must be made together with another price type.
close

Qualmark

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Qualmark Gold

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

Qualmark Silver

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

Qualmark Bronze

The Qualmark Bronze award recognizes a business that operates with a high level of professionalism, is mindful of its environmental impact, and is dedicated to putting customers first.

close

Review Photos

close

Property Photos

close

Where to?

Popular New Zealand Destinations

  • Fiji Islands - Viti Levu - Mamanucas
  • Cairns - Port Douglas
  • Queenstown - Southern Lakes - Fiordland
  • Whitsundays - Airlie Beach - Townsville
  • Rotorua - Taupo - Waitomo
  • Milford Sound
  • Denarau Island
  • Auckland - Waiheke Island - Warkworth
  • Melbourne
  • Sydney
  • West Coast - Glacier Country
  • K`gari (Fraser Island) - Hervey Bay - Town of 1770
  • Christchurch - Canterbury - Kaikoura
  • Gold Coast
  • Abel Tasman - Nelson - Picton
  • Northland - Bay of Islands
  • Newcastle - Port Stephens - Hunter Valley
  • Noosa - Mooloolaba - Sunshine Coast
  • Dunedin - Coastal Otago - Oamaru
  • Franz Josef Glacier / Waiau
  • Byron Bay
  • Northern Territory - Darwin, Red Centre, Kakadu
  • BOP - Tauranga - Maunganui - Whakatane
  • Wellington - Wairarapa
  • Perth & Western Australia
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Great Barrier Island
  • Greater Adelaide and Barossa Valley
  • Hamilton & Raglan - Waikato
  • Brisbane
  • Broome
  • Gisborne - East Cape to Mahia
  • Tasmania - Hobart and Surrounds
  • Darwin
  • Hawkes Bay - Napier & Hastings
  • Taranaki - New Plymouth
  • Canberra
  • Manawatu - Whanganui to Masterton & Martinborough
  • Southland & Te Anau
close

Search

close

Bookme Lists

close

Ask a Question