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White Cliffs 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 Zealandās 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, weāll 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$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$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$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 -$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
- 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
- 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$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$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
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- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers whoāve 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 1816 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Becky! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for coming out with us twice. We truly appreciate you recommending us and adding your beautiful photo! It is fantastic to hear you enjoyed the experience in both seasons and that our crew made it special. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day.
kobe888 from China wrote on 03 March 2026
Bumpy trip, but great staff.
The whole journey was bumpier than I expected. There was a french couple got so sea sick that had to vomit. The staff was super professional. But due to the big wave, our stop at the Mauri cave had to be cut short, which was a big disappointment.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Kobe! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are pleased to hear our team looked after everyone so well during the trip. We will pass on your kind words! Safety is always our top priority. When weather conditions are rough, we make this very clear before departure. We take care to fully explain the conditions so all customers are aware of what to expect and can make an informed decision about whether to go. In stronger waves adjustments to the itinerary can sometimes be necessary to ensure everyoneās safety, including shortening certain stops. We appreciate you sharing your experience and your understanding on the day. Wishing you all the best for the rest of your journey.
matthewd8 from New Zealand wrote on 01 March 2026
Great Lake Trip
We had a fabulous afternoon on the Ernest Kemp. The lake route and MÄori rock carvings were great viewing. The skipperās (Peter) commentary was the best - very informative but peppered with his amazing kiwi sense of humour and his own personal love of TaupÅ and NZ. The other crew member (Libby) was also great - very helpful, kind and fun loving. Obviously many companies do this trip but this is definitely the one to choose - šÆ
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Matthew! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. Weāre thrilled you had a fabulous afternoon on the Ernest Kemp and enjoyed the views of the lake and the MÄori rock carvings. Itās fantastic to hear that Peterās commentary and sense of humor made the experience even more memorable, and that Libby added to the fun and welcoming atmosphere. We will pass on your kind words! Weāre so glad you felt this was the right choice and hope the rest of your adventures are just as enjoyable.
petera13 from United Kingdom wrote on 02 March 2026
To much noise
Lovely boat ride on the lake, but what with the music on the PA system, add to that the crew talking over it and when the guide talking the crew got loader.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Petera! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed the boat ride on the lake. We appreciate your feedback regarding the noise levels on board and will certainly take this on as we continue to improve the experience for our guests. We hope you have a wonderful rest of your trip.
Kelz from New Zealand wrote on 01 March 2026
Marcias 40th š
Amazing time we loved it!!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Kelz! Thank you for your review. Weāre thrilled to hear you had an amazing time celebrating Marciaās 40th! We will pass on your kind words! Hope the celebration continues to bring smiles for days to come.
Copyright Ā©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Becky Bowen from New Zealand wrote on 04 March 2026
Amazing š¤©
I have done this boat trip twice now once in winter and once in summer! Itās always amazing, the crew are friendly and itās nice being in a smaller boat! Itās a great way to go around the lake ā¤ļø