Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1860

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 from26 Jul to 8 Aug 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

Change Dates
Sun 26 Jul
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Sat 1 Aug
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Sat 8 Aug

  • 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$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

Bookings close in 1 hour...

  • 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

Bookings close in 3 hours...

  • 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$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$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
Great Experience Tau kē! Fantastic cruise Love it. Great value Fantastic tour on Ernest Kemp
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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

1860 reviews

Showing all 1860 authenticated Bookme reviews

Ami Walker from New Zealand wrote on 18 July 2026

Love this

This is our second time on the Ernest Kemp cruise. It's a fun relaxed trip. Great way to spend a couple of hours.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for cruising with us again! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your second Ernest Kemp cruise. It's wonderful to know you found it fun, relaxed, and a great way to spend a couple of hours. We look forward to welcoming you back on board again soon. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

Talor Wikohika from New Zealand wrote on 17 July 2026

Awesome

Great trip, great experience and great people

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased you had a great trip, a great experience, and enjoyed meeting great people. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

Bevan Te Awa from New Zealand wrote on 13 July 2026

Ernest Kemp Tour Lake Taupo

History and local knowledge concerning Taupo and the personal stories mixed in was good comfortable, pleasantly impressed with the 2 hour tour, highly recommended ✨

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed the mix of local history, knowledge, and personal stories throughout the cruise. It's great to hear you found the tour comfortable and worthwhile, and we really appreciate your recommendation. Thanks for choosing to cruise with us! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

Jo Glover from New Zealand wrote on 13 July 2026

Great Experience

A perfect way to experience Lake Taupo and take in the wonderful Maori rock carvings. The crew were friendly, informative snd attentive. Characterful, comfortable boat with the added bonus of free hot drinks as well as bar service. Lovely views of the carvings and stunning scenery. Highly recommend.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thanks so much for your fantastic review! We're delighted you enjoyed your time on Lake Taupō and your visit to the Māori rock carvings. It's wonderful to hear our crew helped make your experience enjoyable and that you appreciated the comfort and character of the Ernest Kemp, along with the complimentary hot drinks and onboard bar. We really appreciate your recommendation! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

llo13 from New Zealand wrote on 12 July 2026

Tau kē!

Kapene Knockey and Tuatahi Hoa Owen gave an absolutely awesome cruise on Ernest Kemp. From the very beginning to end the mauri of manaakitanga was felt. They were warm welcoming informative attentive and just awesome souls. Our whānau from the FFN loved Ernest Kemps cruise to Ngātoroirangi and would do it again! Nga mihi ana aroha Mai aroha atu

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thanks so much for your beautiful review! It means a lot to hear that the manaakitanga shown by Kapene Nock and Tuatahi Hoa Owen made your experience so special. We're delighted your whānau enjoyed the cruise to Ngātoroirangi and that the warmth, hospitality, and kōrero left a lasting impression. Ngā mihi nui for sharing your kind words. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

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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.
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