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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$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$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 -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- 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$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$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
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 1854 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased you enjoyed your cruise, even on a chilly day, and that you appreciated the local knowledge shared by our crew. We really appreciate your kind words. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Neil Pates from New Zealand wrote on 07 July 2026
Fantastic cruise
we had a fantastic cruise for a couple of hours. the crew were friendly and the boat was very clean and tidy. feeding the ducks was a bonus
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so pleased you had a fantastic cruise and enjoyed our friendly crew. It's great to hear you found the boat clean and tidy, and we're glad feeding the ducks was a fun bonus! Thank you for your recommendation. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Larry Taylor from Australia wrote on 07 July 2026
One day in Taupo
Very pleasant cruise had a wonderful day. Very relaxing and staff were great
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased you had a wonderful, relaxing cruise and enjoyed our friendly crew. We really appreciate your kind words. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
jessicah26 from New Zealand wrote on 29 June 2026
Thank you so much
Our family loved our experience on the boat cruise the staff were amazingly accommodating we had a party of 16 people and we each enjoyed our adventure we got splashed by some water this was not intentional but greatly welcomed we steered the wheel and got a certificate learnt so much from the commentary and the views were amazing very happy with our outting 😊😊
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear your family had such a great time on board and enjoyed the commentary, taking a turn at the wheel, and the beautiful views. We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back again soon! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
lee-anned from New Zealand wrote on 14 June 2026
Love it. Great value
We loved our time on the Ernest kemp. It was a relaxing and informative boat ride. The food and drinks were good prices and Free coffee and tea. We had the cheese platter which my family enjoyed.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed your time aboard the Ernest Kemp. It's great to know that you found the cruise both relaxing and informative, and that you enjoyed our food and beverage offerings. We're especially pleased that the cheese platter was a hit with your family! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to welcome you back on board again soon for another memorable trip. Regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Eugene O'Sullivan from New Zealand wrote on 08 July 2026
Ernest kemp
Nice trip out on a cold day great local knowledge commentary