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Waimihia 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 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
- 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$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$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$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
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 1849 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience on the cruise. Peter is passionate about sharing the history and stories of the lake, and we're so pleased that both you and the kids enjoyed the journey, especially the opportunity to steer the boat! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure on Lake Taupō in the future. Warm regards, The Erenest Kemp Team
Nigel Schulz from Australia wrote on 07 June 2026
Lake taupo
An authentic, informative and relaxing experience.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your kind review. We're delighted you found the experience authentic, informative, and relaxing. We appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back on board again soon. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
janew21 from Australia wrote on 04 June 2026
Great 2 hrs
What a wonderful 2 hrs spent on the Lake. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride, commentary was so interesting. Staff were so lovely and welcoming. Cant speak highly enough of this wonderful time spent on the water 🌿
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your lovely review. We're so pleased you enjoyed your time on the lake, the commentary, and the warm welcome from our team. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to see you again soon. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Nikhil Sharma from New Zealand wrote on 29 May 2026
Excellent
Thanks to captain and the crew for make my son day special
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your kind review! We're so pleased to hear that our captain and crew helped make your son's day extra special. Creating memorable experiences for our guests is what we love most, and it means a lot to know we were part of such a special occasion. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Jj Botha from New Zealand wrote on 24 May 2026
Boat cruise
10/10 great cruise, friendly staff, free coffee
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the cruise, our friendly crew, and the complimentary coffee. A 10/10 rating means so much to us, and we're delighted we could help make your time on the lake memorable. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Maygen Savery from New Zealand wrote on 12 June 2026
Amazing experience
Such a great experience, Peter shared facts throughout the cruise about the history of the lake and let the kids have fun steering the boat. Would recommend to anyone visiting Taupo.