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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$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$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$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 -$25.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$25.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$25.00 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 -$25.00 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$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$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 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$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 1744 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Lisa, thank you for your kind review. We're happy to hear your family had a great time on board and that the kids enjoyed steering the boat. It’s always a pleasure to help make special memories out on the lake. Have a lovely day!
Sukhmander Khipal fromNew Zealand wrote on 21 September 2025
Great experience
This was great experience overall with family, complementary coffee and cookies offered, one thing I didn’t like, inside the cabinet all windows has water marks which reduce visibility and faded, if someone likes to get experience of the lake from inside cabinet while sitting, then it won’t be worth it.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Sukhmander, thank you for your review and for joining us with your family. We’re really glad to hear you had a great overall experience and enjoyed the complimentary coffee and cookies. We appreciate your feedback regarding the window visibility inside the cabin. We’ll be looking into this issue and working on improving it. Have a great day!
Janita Kalolo fromNew Zealand wrote on 21 September 2025
Great experience
Wonderful cruise, lovely staff! Please just provide more cookies haha it is a long 2hour cruise cookies were yummy! Will be great to have more than one lol besides that loved the cruise.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Janita, thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad you enjoyed the cruise and that our team helped make it a great experience. Have a wonderful day!
garyp11 fromJersey wrote on 17 September 2025
A great trio
Great trip Commentary throughout the journey was infuriating and fun The carvings are very impressive from the boat The captain's mate was really good
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Gary, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! We're glad you enjoyed the trip and had some fun along the way. Have a lovely day.
SeychelleGrace Mabanglo fromNew Zealand wrote on 17 September 2025
Amazing experience!
We thoroughly enjoyed our boat tour experience. The two gentlemen who accompanied us were incredibly kind and made the journey memorable. One of them, the captain, shared his wealth of knowledge about the area, which enriched the trip. He even allowed my daughter to take the wheel, and she had an absolutely thrilling experience! Overall, it was a delightful outing, especially for my mom, who was visiting us from the Philippines. She expressed how much she cherished the time we spent together. It was a wonderful day, filled with joy and lasting memories!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you so much for your kind words Seychelle! We’re happy to hear that your family had such a memorable time with us. It means a lot to know we could be part of a joyful experience during your visit. Wishing you and your loved one's safe travels and all the best in your future adventures. Have a beautiful day!
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Lisa Hamilton fromAustralia wrote on 22 September 2025
Top cruise with great staff
My family had a wonderful time on board the Ernest Kemp. The staff were so lovely and very hospitable. The kids got the steer the boat which they really enjoyed. It was beautiful on the lake.