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.
Thanks to captain and the crew for make my son day special
Thank you for your kind review! We're so pleased to hear that our captain and crew helped make your son's day extra special. Creating memorable experiences for our guests is what we love most, and it means a lot to know we were part of such a special occasion. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
10/10 great cruise, friendly staff, free coffee
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the cruise, our friendly crew, and the complimentary coffee. A 10/10 rating means so much to us, and we're delighted we could help make your time on the lake memorable. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
Perfect way to see the lake.
Thank you for your review! We're so pleased you enjoyed your time on the lake and found it to be the perfect way to experience it. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team
This was one of the best things we did on our weeks holiday in Taupo. Fantastic crew and captain, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. Excellent experience. Highly recommended.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that your cruise with us was one of the highlights of your Taupō holiday. Our crew and captain take great pride in providing a friendly, informative, and memorable experience, so your kind words mean a lot. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back on board again in the future. 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