Join us for a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Lake Taupo aboard The Ernest Kemp, a beautiful vintage replica steamboat!
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).
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!
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.
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!
Awesome cruise will recommend it as top thing to do in taupo Awesome people an such an amazing place
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!
Thanks for your review! Have a lovely day :)
Excellent Service
Thanks Bronwyn! Have an awesome day :)
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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