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 and 2pm = 2 hour (approx).
9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm, and 6:30pm = 1.5 hour (approx).
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.
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased you enjoyed your cruise and found the crew friendly and informative. Although the weather wasn't the best, we're glad you were able to stay warm and comfortable undercover with our blankets. It's wonderful to hear you enjoyed getting up close to the rock carvings! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
The kids had a ball, the ducks following us and flying up to be fed was really cool and the kids loved having a chance to steer the ship! The commentary was great, learned some thing along the way.
Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear the kids had such a great time, especially feeding the ducks and having a turn steering the boat. It’s fantastic to know you enjoyed the commentary and learned something along the way too! Thanks for coming aboard! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Unfortunately cruise was cancelled due to rough waters. Boat looks immaculate and we hope to return and give it another shot one day
Thank you for your understanding. We’re sorry that we weren’t able to get out on the lake due to the rough conditions. We hope you get the chance to return to Taupō and give the cruise another shot one day. We’d love to have you aboard! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
The trip was excellent. The staff were warm and welcoming and were so good with my 4 year old. They kept him entertained the whole trip. Colouring in to do, got to drive the boat. He was so proud of his certificate. All round great day!
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re so pleased to hear that you and your little one had such a great time with us. It’s wonderful to know he enjoyed the colouring, having a turn at driving the boat and receiving his certificate. We can imagine how proud he was! We love making the experience enjoyable for the whole family. Thanks for coming aboard! 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