Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1842

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 from10 May to 23 May 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

Change Dates
Sun 10 May
Mon 11 May
Tue 12 May
Wed 13 May
Thu 14 May
Fri 15 May
Sat 16 May
Sun 17 May
Mon 18 May
Tue 19 May
Wed 20 May
Thu 21 May
Fri 22 May
Sat 23 May

Bookings close in 5 hours...

  • Adult$55.00
  • Child$15.00

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

Bookings close in 9 hours...

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00
Fantastic tour on Ernest Kemp Beautiful experience 5 stars experience! Beautiful Amazing Boat trip
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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

  • emergencyL'équipage est super sympathique et compétent, rendant l'expérience agréable pour tous (45 personnes l'ont dit).
  • emergencyLa croisière offre des vues imprenables sur le lac Taupo et les sculptures maories, qui sont le point culminant du voyage (40 personnes l'ont dit).
  • emergencyLes passagers ont apprécié l'opportunité de piloter le bateau, en particulier les enfants qui ont reçu des certificats (20 personnes l'ont dit).
  • emergencyLes boissons et collations gratuites, comme le thé et les biscuits, étaient une belle attention (30 personnes l'ont dit).
  • emergencyLe bateau vintage ajoute du charme à l'expérience, la rendant unique (25 personnes l'ont dit).
  • emergencyBeaucoup ont trouvé que la croisière offrait un excellent rapport qualité-prix, avec une atmosphère relaxante (35 personnes l'ont dit).
  • star_shineApportez un appareil photo pour de superbes opportunités de photos.
    Habillez-vous chaudement s'il fait frais.

4.7

1842 reviews

Showing all 1842 authenticated Bookme reviews

stellad3 from France wrote on 25 March 2026

Super croisière !

Expérience très agréable, l’équipage est très sympathique et ne manque pas d’anecdotes pour égayer votre trajet. Café/thé à volonté avec des biscuits. La gravure est très impressionnante et avec le beau temps on a même pu se baigner !

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Hi Stella ! Merci beaucoup d’avoir pris le temps de laisser un si bel avis. Nous sommes ravis d’apprendre que vous avez passé un moment agréable à bord et que notre équipage a contribué à rendre votre expérience encore plus mémorable. We will pass on your kind words! Nous sommes également heureux que vous ayez pu profiter du beau temps, des rafraîchissements, ainsi que des carvings. Nous vous souhaitons une excellente continuation dans vos voyages !

Adele Lebair from France wrote on 24 February 2026

Parfait

C’était incroyable !! Merci BookMe pour la réduction ( ça ne vaut pas vraiment le prix de base). On a adoré

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Hi Adele! Merci d’avoir pris le temps de laisser un avis. Nous sommes ravis d’apprendre que vous avez vécu une expérience incroyable et que vous avez adoré votre moment avec nous. Nous sommes également heureux que vous ayez pu profiter d’une belle offre et passer un excellent moment à bord. Nous vous souhaitons une excellente continuation dans vos voyages.

Auriana Castro from France wrote on 22 August 2025

Croisière sympathique

Comptez 2 heures pour l'activité. Ambiance conviviale à bord, café et thé en libre service. Belle découverte, des explications le long de la balade et très agréable par temps ensoleillé.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Chère Auriana, Merci beaucoup pour votre retour ! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez passé un bon moment à bord et que la croisière vous ait plu. C’est toujours un plaisir de partager ce bel endroit, surtout sous le soleil ! Très belle journée à vous !

alexandraf8 from France wrote on 07 January 2025

Sympa

Tour en bateau agréable même si le lac était très agité lors de la balade. La roche est intéressante mais c’est le tour en bateau dans son ensemble qui est agréable et permet de voir Taupō et les environs sous un autre angle. Belle vue sur le Tongariro

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Bonjour ! Nous sommes ravis d'apprendre que vous avez apprécié votre voyage avec nous. Passez une agréable journée

Adriane Besse from France wrote on 06 March 2021

Une belle excursion sur le lac Taupo

L'expérience s'est très bien déroulée. Dans le respect des mesures de distanciation liées au Covid-19. L'équipage était très sympa, accessible et souriant.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for joining us in these uncertain times Adriane, your support means a lot to a small business like us. It is our pleasure to have had you both onboard :)

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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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