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Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1801
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 1 Mar to 14 Mar 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

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  • Adult$45.00 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$55.00
  • 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$55.00
  • 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 -$50.00
  • Child$15.00

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

  • Adult -$50.00
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult -$50.00
  • 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 -$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 -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

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

  • Adult$35.00 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$55.00
  • 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$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$55.00
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 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

1801 reviews

Showing all 1801 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.

kess1 from New Zealand wrote on 28 February 2026

Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Enjoyable cruise; friendly and informative crew.

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GILLIAN CHECKLEY from New Zealand wrote on 27 February 2026

Morning on the Lake

Myself and two friends had a lovely morning cruising Lake Taupo on Ernest Kemp. It was a grey day, but nevertheless we were able to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The description of the surroundings and the history of the area by the Skipper most informative, but it could have been a little louder as we missed some of it (could have been the wind factor). Would definitely recommend.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Hi Gillian! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We are so pleased you and your friends enjoyed a lovely morning out on the lake and were still able to take in the scenery from outside despite the grey weather. It is great to hear you found the skipper’s commentary informative. We appreciate the note about the volume as well and will certainly keep that in mind. We will pass on your kind words and wish you a wonderful rest of your week.

Edwin Njau from New Zealand wrote on 25 February 2026

Ok trip

Didn't get to swim. overall trip was ok

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Hi Edwin! We are sorry to hear the experience did not fully meet your expectations. Our 12.30pm cruise does not include a swimming stop and we will make this clearer, so it is better understood when booking. We appreciate you coming out with us and wish you all the best for the rest of your travels.

Helen Aird from New Zealand wrote on 24 February 2026

Great Day

Had friends staying from Raglan none of us had done this trip & I thought now that we are locals we should do it so I booked it & yes it was great gorgeous weather great commentary so it's a five star from us nga mihi

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Hi Helen! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are so pleased you and your friends decided to join us and that it turned out to be such a great day out. It is always special to welcome locals on board. We will pass on your kind words! Nga mihi and all the very best.

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