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Te Itarata Point 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$27.00
- 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$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 -$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$35.00 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$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$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
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 1838 authenticated Bookme reviews
Rie Shibasaki from New Zealand wrote on 27 April 2026
Great experience★★★★★
The team was incredibly kind and friendly, and our kids had such a great experience. The cruise itself was fantastic. The commentary was fun and engaging, and the kids even had a chance to experience being the skipper, which they absolutely loved! It was a little chilly outside, but the blankets, cookies, and hot drinks kept us warm and comfortable. It was much more than just viewing the murals — it was a truly wonderful experience for our family. Highly recommend!
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
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed a relaxing trip and the onboard hospitality. Great to hear the drinks and hosts made it a pleasant experience. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
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 😊
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a beautiful experience and felt well looked after by the crew. We’ll be sure to pass on your compliments to the skipper—what a compliment to be called an excellent storyteller! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
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.
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
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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jaehunl1 from South Korea wrote on 27 April 2026
Great experience
The boat was faster than I expected, which made it really fun, and the staff were very friendly. There was also more to see than I expected, so I would definitely recommend it.