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Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1836
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 May to 14 May 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Fri 1 May
Sat 2 May
Sun 3 May
Mon 4 May
Tue 5 May
Wed 6 May
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Thu 14 May

  • Adult$55.00
  • 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$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

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

Bookings close in 1 hour...

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$35.00
  • 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$45.00 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

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

1836 reviews

Showing all 1836 authenticated Bookme reviews

elainet from Taiwan wrote on 13 August 2020

喜歡這次旅程!

非常喜歡這次旅程!

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you very much for joining us, we love that you had such a great time!

Irene Ma from Hong Kong wrote on 05 November 2016

Good!

Few days before the departure, the weather forecast was cloudy with a little rain. Luckily, that day was a sunny day! Clear to see the carving on the wall! Have enough time to take photos. Although I travel alone, I enjoy so much! Nice view, nice people.

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Siu Ping Ng from Hong Kong wrote on 06 March 2016

lake cruise

nice

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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

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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.

jaehunl1 from South Korea wrote on 27 April 2026

Great experience

The boat was faster than I expected, which made it really fun, and the staff were very friendly. There was also more to see than I expected, so I would definitely recommend it.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your great feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the faster pace of the boat and that it added to the fun. It’s also wonderful to hear our team made you feel welcome and that the experience exceeded your expectations with everything there is to see along the way. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you on board again soon! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

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Qualmark Certification

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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