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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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$35.00
- 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$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$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 -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$35.00
- 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
- 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$10.00
- Adult$35.00
- 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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- 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$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
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 1821 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Danisa! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re glad you enjoyed your experience with Ernest Kemp and had a great time on Lake Taupō. It’s great to hear the crew and commentary added to your visit to the Māori Rock Carvings. Have a great rest of your day!
jeremy83 from China wrote on 19 March 2026
Beautiful Cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings
I had a wonderful experience on the Ernest Kemp cruise to see the Māori rock carvings on Lake Taupō. The weather was perfectly clear on the day, and the lake was incredibly crystal clear, with many swans around the harbor when we boarded. The check-in process was smooth and well organized, and both the captain and crew were very friendly and welcoming. During the journey, they provided informative and engaging commentary about the lake, nearby volcanoes, and the history behind the carvings. On a sunny day, I highly recommend sitting at the front of the boat, where the views are open and very comfortable. When we reached the carvings, the captain stopped for a while to make sure everyone had enough time to fully appreciate them—it’s truly impressive to see both the power of nature and the cultural significance of the artwork. The cruise was very relaxing. Guests were offered snacks, tea, and coffee, and there was even a chance to swim in the lake, which was beautifully clear. The boat itself was clean, and I chose a classic-style vessel, which added to the charm. Overall, it’s a perfect mix of nature and culture, and I highly recommend it.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Jeremy! Thank you for taking the time to leave such thoughtful feedback. We’re pleased to hear that your experience with Ernest Kemp met your expectations and that the overall journey on Lake Taupō was enjoyable from start to finish. It’s great to know the crew made you feel welcome and that the trip was well organized. We’re also glad you had the opportunity to appreciate the Māori Rock Carvings in good conditions and that the onboard service and amenities contributed to a comfortable visit. Thank you again for your recommendation. Wishing you all the best in your future travels and a great rest of your day!
Stephanie French from United Kingdom wrote on 16 March 2026
Lovely!
Boat on time, clean and well kept. Staff very friendly and helpful. Tea and coffee on board and a free cookie (hooray!) and a lovely way to spend some time on Lake Taupo and to see the Māori carvings.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re so glad you enjoyed your time out on the lake and seeing the carvings. It’s lovely to hear you found the boat clean and well looked after too. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day.
KG from New Zealand wrote on 16 March 2026
An enjoyable evening
This was a relaxing, fun, and informative early-evening cruise. Very good value for money; I recommend it highly
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re so glad you had a relaxing and enjoyable evening on the cruise. We hope you have a great rest of your day.
Nik Mounter from New Zealand wrote on 15 March 2026
Awesome trip to Maori carvings
Had done this trip many years ago and was very happy that it was just as enjoyable trip. The skipper was very friendly, knowledgeable and funny and the other staff member was very friendly and professional looking after the passengers. Would highly recommend
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Nik! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re so pleased to hear you enjoyed the trip to the Māori carvings and that it lived up to your previous visit. It’s great to know our skipper and crew helped make the experience memorable. We will pass on your kind words! Thanks again for sharing your experience. Wishing you a great rest of your day!
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danisa from New Zealand wrote on 20 March 2026
Great experience
Great experience. Crew was great. Lots of interesting commentary along the ride. Option to have a swim, by the rock carvings, was great on a fantastic Day.