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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 in NZD ($)
- Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$35.00
- 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$35.00 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$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$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- 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$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$35.00 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$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
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 1731 authenticated Bookme reviews
julies52 from New Zealand wrote on 18 August 2025
Something for everyone
What an interesting cruise. Great history, humour and facts. Throughly enjoyed this and what a spectacular day.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you so much, Julie! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the cruise and had a spectacular day. Have a lovely day!
joannem17 from New Zealand wrote on 13 August 2025
Good trip
Very impressive trip, 2 very friendly ducks and awesome carvings. If I could fault anything it would be that the windows needed cleaning, it was hard to see anything through them. Very friendly boat staff, would recommend
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks for your kind review Joanne! We're glad you enjoyed the trip, the ducks, and the carvings. We appreciate your note about the windows and will keep that in mind for future improvements. Have a lovely day!
FRAN Mortell from New Zealand wrote on 10 August 2025
Rock carvings
We absolutely loved our trip to the carvings. Sasha and Mathew were great hosts. It was rough on the lake but we had fun and lots of laughs in the sun. Thank you.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thanks Fran! We are glad to hear that you loved the trip, even with a bit of lake chop! We will pass on your kind words to Sascha and Mathew. Have a lovely day!
Malcolm Bartlett from New Zealand wrote on 08 August 2025
Cruising in taupo
Awesome cruise will recommend it as top thing to do in taupo Awesome people an such an amazing place
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Kia ora Malcolm, thanks for the kind words! We're stoked you loved the cruise and the magic of Taupō. Appreciate the recommendation and hope you have an amazing day!
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varinderj from New Zealand wrote on 22 August 2025
The Ernest Kemp cruise was absolutely fantastic!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Ernest Kemp cruise was absolutely fantastic! The vintage replica steamboat itself is full of charm and made the whole experience feel unique and special. The staff were warm, welcoming, and very knowledgeable, sharing fascinating stories about Lake Taupo and the history of the Māori rock carvings. The cruise was smooth and relaxing, with plenty of time to take in the breathtaking scenery. The highlight, of course, was getting up close to the Māori rock carvings – such an incredible cultural and artistic treasure. Complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits onboard were a lovely touch too. Highly recommend this cruise to anyone visiting Taupo – it’s the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and history. A must-do experience!