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Rotorua & Taupo 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 -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- 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 -$27.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$50.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$35.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- 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$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$39.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 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$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$44.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$28.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$28.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$28.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$28.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
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 1779 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you so much for your kind words, Teresa! We’re really pleased the crew helped make the journey enjoyable and that you were able to learn a bit about the area along the way. Even with the challenging conditions on the lake, it’s great to hear the experience remained comfortable and worthwhile. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope the rest of your travels were just as memorable. Wishing you safe and happy adventures ahead!
Katherine O'Shea from United Kingdom wrote on 18 December 2025
Lovely trip out on lake taupo
Lovely boat trip, my 4 year old even had the chance to “drive” the boat, which he loved!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Katherine. We’re happy to hear your family had a great time on Lake Taupō. Enjoy the rest of your day!
RICCARDO DOPPIU from New Zealand wrote on 16 December 2025
Amazing
Awesome experience
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks Riccardo! Have a great day.
Kapil Bansal from New Zealand wrote on 19 December 2025
Earnest Kemp
My experience was on but not so good. They were run out of milk and cookies. Staff was more keen to sale stuff on boat rather then provide free stuff for which we paid in advance. Although staff was good. Sound was not so good and was very difficult to hear commentary. I have been to Chris Jolly before and they are really good.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Kapil, Thank you for your feedback regarding your recent cruise with Ernest Kemp. We’re sorry that your experience did not fully meet expectations. While we did run short of cookies on that trip, we would like to clarify that milk is always available on board. We also appreciate your comments about the sound quality and onboard service, which have been noted and will be reviewed with our team. We’re pleased to hear that you found our staff to be good, and we thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Have a good day
Charis Petersen from New Zealand wrote on 12 December 2025
Best 2hour cruise
It was absolutely fantastic! The 2 - man crew was amazing! Loved the commentary done by Peter and the hospitality by Owen. We went nice and close to the carvings. An absolute must do when visiting Taupō.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your lovely feedback, Charis! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the cruise, and we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Owen and Peter. Have a wonderful day!
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Teresa Hill from United States wrote on 20 December 2025
Amazing!
The Captain and young deck crew were very nice. The Captain spoke about the history while we traveled to the Ngatoro carving. The young girl gave out cookies and later we were able to choose food off the menu. Sadly it was a very windy day, the lake was choppy, but it still was a pleasant trip. We circled twice by the rock and then back to the harbor. I’m so glad I did not go kayaking- it would have been canceled. I recommend the trip.