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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!
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, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm = 2 hour (approx).
9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm = 1.5 hour (approx).
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- 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$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 -$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult -$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult -$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- Adult -$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$11.00
- 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$15.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$27.00 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
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 1737 authenticated Bookme reviews
IAN BROWN fromNew Zealand wrote on 29 August 2025
A most tranquil interlude
We thought we'd take it down a notch or two and cruise the lake before skiing the next day. Nice surprise. An interesting trip with the carvings as the highlight but traveling close to the shore meant you took in a lot of the uniqueness of this stunning lake. Well catered for with wine, beer and nibbles. And Captain Haddock was informative while not intrusive. Will do it again
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you, Ian! We love that the cruise gave you that perfect breather before hitting the slopes. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the carvings and the cruise itself. We’ll pass on your review to the skipper he’ll be thrilled to hear your kind words. Appreciate you cruising with us and sharing your thoughts! We hope to see you again :)
tmh1907 fromNew Zealand wrote on 29 August 2025
Awesome morning
We loved this cruise out on Lake Taupo. The crew were amazing. The crewman that walked around talking to everyone on board was a delight. The skipper/ compere was so knowledgeable and had some great anecdotes to share. Our 2 boys LOVED being invited up to have a turn driving. Definitely recommend.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
What an awesome review, thank you! We're so glad the whole family had a great time out on the lake. The crew will be stoked to hear your kind words, especially knowing the boys had a blast up front. It means a lot to us when guests feel welcomed, relaxed, and entertained, that’s exactly the experience we aim to deliver every day. Thanks again for joining us and for sharing the good vibes!
Mark Juen fromNew Zealand wrote on 06 September 2025
Muffin Lies!
They promised a hot muffin and a coffee so we skipped breakfast. There was a kettle and some packets of instant headache coffee and a dry Arnotts cookie made of sorrow.
Verity fromNew Zealand wrote on 27 August 2025
NEW Maori rock carvings
Perfect day for a pleasant trip on the Lake. Carvings a bit disappointing when we'd thought they were ancient, but were only a few years old! Sparse commentary as we went. Otherwise good.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Verity, thank you for your feedback and for joining us on our cruise. We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful day on the lake. While the carvings are relatively recent, they represent an important and meaningful tribute to Māori culture and heritage, making them just as fascinating. We appreciate your comments about the commentary and will work to improve it with more detailed and engaging narration. We hope you have a lovely day!
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Deane Randall fromUnited Kingdom wrote on 09 September 2025
Maori rock carving cruise
Great very informative. Got great photos of the carvings and a history of lake Taupo and the different bays.