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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$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- 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$45.00 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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$50.00
- 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 -$45.00 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 -$45.00 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 -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- 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$45.00 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$45.00 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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- 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$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- 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$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$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$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
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 1782 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Cherie, thanks for sharing your experience with us! It’s great to hear the journey was enjoyable from start to finish and that the onboard touches helped make it even more comfortable. We’re pleased the information shared along the way added value to your time on the water. Have a fantastic day.
ebonee from New Zealand wrote on 25 December 2025
Great Trip!
We loved our boat trip. Peter and crew were very welcoming and the commentary was really informative. Loved the views along the way and the carving was very special. Enjoyed the refreshments and got some great photos.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks, Ebonee! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. It’s wonderful to know the crew made you feel welcome and that the journey offered plenty of memorable moments along the way. We’re glad the experience left you with lasting impressions and some great photos to take home. Have a lovely day.
Sunder Iyengar from Australia wrote on 22 December 2025
Boat ride on Lake Taupo
Comfortable and pleasant boat ride on Lake Taupo to view the Maori Rock carvings. It took nearly 45 mins from the berth at Taupo to the rock carvings. 1.5 hours round trip. Friendly staff on board. We had a good time.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for sharing your experience and for choosing to join us on the lake. We’re glad to hear the journey felt relaxed and enjoyable, and that the team helped create a welcoming atmosphere on board. It’s great to know the timing and overall experience suited your plans and made for an enjoyable outing while visiting Taupō. Have a great day!
Teresa Hill from United States wrote on 20 December 2025
Amazing!
The Captain and young deck crew were very nice. The Captain spoke about the history while we traveled to the Ngatoro carving. The young girl gave out cookies and later we were able to choose food off the menu. Sadly it was a very windy day, the lake was choppy, but it still was a pleasant trip. We circled twice by the rock and then back to the harbor. I’m so glad I did not go kayaking- it would have been canceled. I recommend the trip.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you so much for your kind words, Teresa! We’re really pleased the crew helped make the journey enjoyable and that you were able to learn a bit about the area along the way. Even with the challenging conditions on the lake, it’s great to hear the experience remained comfortable and worthwhile. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope the rest of your travels were just as memorable. Wishing you safe and happy adventures ahead!
Kapil Bansal from New Zealand wrote on 19 December 2025
Earnest Kemp
My experience was on but not so good. They were run out of milk and cookies. Staff was more keen to sale stuff on boat rather then provide free stuff for which we paid in advance. Although staff was good. Sound was not so good and was very difficult to hear commentary. I have been to Chris Jolly before and they are really good.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Kapil, Thank you for your feedback regarding your recent cruise with Ernest Kemp. We’re sorry that your experience did not fully meet expectations. While we did run short of cookies on that trip, we would like to clarify that milk is always available on board. We also appreciate your comments about the sound quality and onboard service, which have been noted and will be reviewed with our team. We’re pleased to hear that you found our staff to be good, and we thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Have a good day
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Cherie van Tol-Rose from New Zealand wrote on 28 December 2025
Ernest Kemp boat
The ride out to the maori carving was great. The commentary was very good and gave lots of information. I enjoyed every moment on the trip. The coffee was also a great addition to have. Thank you..