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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$15.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$15.00
- 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$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 -$35.00
- 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$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$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
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 1858 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed the mix of local history, knowledge, and personal stories throughout the cruise. It's great to hear you found the tour comfortable and worthwhile, and we really appreciate your recommendation. Thanks for choosing to cruise with us! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Jo Glover from New Zealand wrote on 13 July 2026
Great Experience
A perfect way to experience Lake Taupo and take in the wonderful Maori rock carvings. The crew were friendly, informative snd attentive. Characterful, comfortable boat with the added bonus of free hot drinks as well as bar service. Lovely views of the carvings and stunning scenery. Highly recommend.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks so much for your fantastic review! We're delighted you enjoyed your time on Lake Taupō and your visit to the Māori rock carvings. It's wonderful to hear our crew helped make your experience enjoyable and that you appreciated the comfort and character of the Ernest Kemp, along with the complimentary hot drinks and onboard bar. We really appreciate your recommendation! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
llo13 from New Zealand wrote on 12 July 2026
Tau kē!
Kapene Knockey and Tuatahi Hoa Owen gave an absolutely awesome cruise on Ernest Kemp. From the very beginning to end the mauri of manaakitanga was felt. They were warm welcoming informative attentive and just awesome souls. Our whānau from the FFN loved Ernest Kemps cruise to Ngātoroirangi and would do it again! Nga mihi ana aroha Mai aroha atu
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks so much for your beautiful review! It means a lot to hear that the manaakitanga shown by Kapene Nock and Tuatahi Hoa Owen made your experience so special. We're delighted your whānau enjoyed the cruise to Ngātoroirangi and that the warmth, hospitality, and kōrero left a lasting impression. Ngā mihi nui for sharing your kind words. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
jacquid3 from New Zealand wrote on 12 July 2026
Thoroughly recommended
We enjoyed this cruise very much! Liked that it was just a small boat with character. The skipper and attendant were both very approachable. Good commentary and information. On board snacks very reasonably priced. The highlight, except for viewing the carvings, was allowing the children to have a steer of the boat.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed your time aboard and appreciated the character of the Ernest Kemp. It's great to hear our skipper and crew made you feel welcome, and that you enjoyed the commentary and reasonably priced refreshments. We're especially pleased the children had the chance to steer the boat, it's always a memorable part of the trip! We really appreciate your recommendation. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Eugene O'Sullivan from New Zealand wrote on 08 July 2026
Ernest kemp
Nice trip out on a cold day great local knowledge commentary
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased you enjoyed your cruise, even on a chilly day, and that you appreciated the local knowledge shared by our crew. We really appreciate your kind words. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Bevan Te Awa from New Zealand wrote on 13 July 2026
Ernest Kemp Tour Lake Taupo
History and local knowledge concerning Taupo and the personal stories mixed in was good comfortable, pleasantly impressed with the 2 hour tour, highly recommended ✨