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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 and 2pm = 2 hour (approx).
9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm, and 6:30pm = 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$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$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 -$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$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$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
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 1859 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Mark! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re so glad you had a great time and enjoyed the crew, the boat and the trip. We will pass on your kind words! Have a wonderful day.
Talor Wikohika from New Zealand wrote on 17 July 2026
Awesome
Great trip, great experience and great people
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 ✨
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
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MARK WALKER from New Zealand wrote on 20 January 2026
Great crew, boat and trip. Recommend
Has a great time doing this excursion. Fully recommend