Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1823

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 from25 Mar to 7 Apr 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

Change Dates
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Thu 26 Mar
Fri 27 Mar
Sat 28 Mar
Sun 29 Mar
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Tue 7 Apr

  • Adult$27.00
  • 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$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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

Bookings close in 7 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 -$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 -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$50.00
  • Child$15.00

Bookings close in 8 hours...

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

  • Adult$27.00
  • 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$15.00

  • 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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$55.00
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

Bookings close in 11 hours...

  • Adult$50.00 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$55.00
  • 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

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00
Beautiful Cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings Amazing 🤩 Parfait Great Great treat
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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

1823 reviews

Showing all 1823 authenticated Bookme reviews

elainet from Taiwan wrote on 13 August 2020

喜歡這次旅程!

非常喜歡這次旅程!

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you very much for joining us, we love that you had such a great time!

Irene Ma from Hong Kong wrote on 05 November 2016

Good!

Few days before the departure, the weather forecast was cloudy with a little rain. Luckily, that day was a sunny day! Clear to see the carving on the wall! Have enough time to take photos. Although I travel alone, I enjoy so much! Nice view, nice people.

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Siu Ping Ng from Hong Kong wrote on 06 March 2016

lake cruise

nice

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Sccott Clark from New Zealand wrote on 24 March 2026

Cruise on lake Taupo

We had a very enjoyable trip on Lake Taupo aboard an old timer launch called the Ernest Kemp. Great crew good commentary through out the trip. Very friendly staff. Tea, coffee, biscuits, beer, wine cheese board. Has it all. Highly recommend this cruise.

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Natalie Bruetsch from Switzerland wrote on 23 March 2026

Great trip

Super friendly staff - cruise was what was promised!

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Hi Natalie! Thank you for your review, we appreciate your kind words and are pleased to hear our crew and the cruise itself was up to your expectations. Have a lovely day!

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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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