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).
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
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.
Hi Becky! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for coming out with us twice. We truly appreciate you recommending us and adding your beautiful photo! It is fantastic to hear you enjoyed the experience in both seasons and that our crew made it special. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day.
The whole journey was bumpier than I expected. There was a french couple got so sea sick that had to vomit. The staff was super professional. But due to the big wave, our stop at the Mauri cave had to be cut short, which was a big disappointment.
Hi Kobe! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are pleased to hear our team looked after everyone so well during the trip. We will pass on your kind words! Safety is always our top priority. When weather conditions are rough, we make this very clear before departure. We take care to fully explain the conditions so all customers are aware of what to expect and can make an informed decision about whether to go. In stronger waves adjustments to the itinerary can sometimes be necessary to ensure everyone’s safety, including shortening certain stops. We appreciate you sharing your experience and your understanding on the day. Wishing you all the best for the rest of your journey.
Lovely boat ride on the lake, but what with the music on the PA system, add to that the crew talking over it and when the guide talking the crew got loader.
Hi Petera! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed the boat ride on the lake. We appreciate your feedback regarding the noise levels on board and will certainly take this on as we continue to improve the experience for our guests. We hope you have a wonderful rest of your trip.
We had a fabulous afternoon on the Ernest Kemp. The lake route and Māori rock carvings were great viewing. The skipper’s (Peter) commentary was the best - very informative but peppered with his amazing kiwi sense of humour and his own personal love of Taupō and NZ. The other crew member (Libby) was also great - very helpful, kind and fun loving. Obviously many companies do this trip but this is definitely the one to choose - 💯
Hi Matthew! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. We’re thrilled you had a fabulous afternoon on the Ernest Kemp and enjoyed the views of the lake and the Māori rock carvings. It’s fantastic to hear that Peter’s commentary and sense of humor made the experience even more memorable, and that Libby added to the fun and welcoming atmosphere. We will pass on your kind words! We’re so glad you felt this was the right choice and hope the rest of your adventures are just as enjoyable.
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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