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Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1801
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 10 Mar to 23 Mar 2026

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Tue 10 Mar
Wed 11 Mar
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Fri 13 Mar
Sat 14 Mar
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Mon 23 Mar

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

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

Bookings close in 11 hours...

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

  • Adult -$45.00
  • 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 -$35.00 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 -$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
  • 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$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$15.00

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

  • Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$50.00 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

1801 reviews

Showing all 1801 authenticated Bookme reviews

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.

Becky Bowen from New Zealand wrote on 04 March 2026

Amazing 🤩

I have done this boat trip twice now once in winter and once in summer! It’s always amazing, the crew are friendly and it’s nice being in a smaller boat! It’s a great way to go around the lake ❤️

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

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.

kobe888 from China wrote on 03 March 2026

Bumpy trip, but great staff.

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.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

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.

petera13 from United Kingdom wrote on 02 March 2026

To much noise

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.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

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.

matthewd8 from New Zealand wrote on 01 March 2026

Great Lake 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 - 💯

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

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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