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Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1884
Deals from $27.00 Save $28.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
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).

Adult $55.00 (10:30am and 2pm Departures)
Adult - $50.00 (9am and 12:30pm departures )
Child $15.00 (0-15 yrs old)

What's included

  • Informative commentary
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and cookies
  • 2 hour cruise on 10:30am and 2pm departures
  • 1.5 hour cruise on 9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm

Duration

  • Allow approximately 2 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Berth #2
  • Taupo Marina
  • Redoubt Street.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • Important: Cancellations made within 24 hours will receive no refund. Tickets are non-transferable and are unable to be rescheduled. Please ensure you book the correct departure time.

    Upon arrival: Please report to Berth 2 Taupo Marina, Redoubt St approx. 10 -15 mins prior to departure. You need to meet in front of the red sign in front of the Ernest Kemp ready to board. Our crew member will meet you and your booking will be in our system.

Available Bookings from 14 Oct to 27 Oct 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Wed 14 Oct
Thu 15 Oct
Fri 16 Oct
Sat 17 Oct
Sun 18 Oct
Mon 19 Oct
Tue 20 Oct
Wed 21 Oct
Thu 22 Oct
Fri 23 Oct
Sat 24 Oct
Sun 25 Oct
Mon 26 Oct
Tue 27 Oct

Bookings close in 1 hour...

  • Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$27.00
  • 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$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • 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$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$55.00
  • 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 -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$50.00
  • Child$15.00

Bookings close in 5 hours...

  • Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$27.00
  • 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$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$15.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$55.00
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.7

1884 reviews

Showing all 1884 authenticated Bookme reviews

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

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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.

Nadia Ija from New Zealand wrote on 13 October 2026

Relaxing and mindful

Very beautiful, nice and amazing trip.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you had a relaxing and enjoyable time out on the lake with us. We appreciate you joining us aboard the Ernest Kemp! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

Christina Morgan from New Zealand wrote on 08 October 2026

Fantastic

Would definitely recommend. The staff were absolutely fantastic, they definitely go the extra mile especially if you have young kids with you.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your time aboard the Ernest Kemp. We especially love making sure our younger guests have a fun and memorable experience. Thanks for recommending us, it means a lot to the team! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

laurar38 from New Zealand wrote on 05 October 2026

Great time

Our family of 4 had an amazing time aboard the Ernest Kemp- amazing hospitality and great experience for kids! Will be recommending to anyone coming to Taupo, we will definitely be doing this again! Thank you for a great couple of hours!

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you so much for the lovely review! We’re thrilled to hear your family had such a great time aboard the Ernest Kemp and that the kids enjoyed the experience too. We really appreciate you recommending us to others and would love to have you all back on board again next time you’re in Taupō! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

craign3 from New Zealand wrote on 05 October 2026

Hosts are great 😊

Made our mokopuna so comfortable kept them busy with colouring in cookies and skippering mokos loved it Thankyou very much

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you so much for the lovely review! 😊 We’re so glad to hear your mokopuna had such a great time and enjoyed the colouring, cookies and getting the chance to be skipper for a little while! It’s wonderful to hear they felt comfortable and had plenty to keep them entertained. We really appreciate you choosing to cruise with us and hope to see you all again on the Ernest Kemp! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

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This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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