• travel_explore
    Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Rotorua & Taupo... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1736
Deals from $25.00 Save $25.00 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, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm = 2 hour (approx).

9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm = 1.5 hour (approx).

Adult $55.00 (10:30am, 2pm, 5pm & 7pm Departures)
Adult - $50.00 (9am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm departures )
Child $15.00 (0-15 yrs old)

What's included

  • Informative commentary
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and cookies
  • 2 hour cruise on 10:30am, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm departures
  • 1.5 hour cruise on 9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm

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 10 Sep to 23 Sep 2025

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Wed 10 Sep
Thu 11 Sep
Fri 12 Sep
Sat 13 Sep
Sun 14 Sep
Mon 15 Sep
Tue 16 Sep
Wed 17 Sep
Thu 18 Sep
Fri 19 Sep
Sat 20 Sep
Sun 21 Sep
Mon 22 Sep
Tue 23 Sep

  • 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$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 -$25.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$11.00

  • Adult -$25.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$11.00

  • Adult -$25.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$11.00

  • Adult -$25.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$11.00

  • Adult -$25.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult -$25.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

Bookings close in 2 hours...

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

  • Adult$27.00
  • 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$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • 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$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

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

1736 reviews

Showing all 1736 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!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

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.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Siu Ping Ng from Hong Kong wrote on 06 March 2016

lake cruise

nice

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Deane Randall from United Kingdom wrote on 09 September 2025

Maori rock carving cruise

Great very informative. Got great photos of the carvings and a history of lake Taupo and the different bays.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you, Deane! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the cruise and appreciated the history and scenery. Your feedback means a lot to us!

Mark Juen from New Zealand wrote on 06 September 2025

Muffin Lies!

They promised a hot muffin and a coffee so we skipped breakfast. There was a kettle and some packets of instant headache coffee and a dry Arnotts cookie made of sorrow.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

close

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.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.