• travel_explore
    Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Rotorua & Taupo... Experiences, attractions, dining & more
Earn 1 Airpoints™ for every $100 you spend
Airpoints

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 25 Apr to 8 May 2026

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Sat 25 Apr
Sun 26 Apr
Mon 27 Apr
Tue 28 Apr
Wed 29 Apr
Thu 30 Apr
Fri 1 May
Sat 2 May
Sun 3 May
Mon 4 May
Tue 5 May
Wed 6 May
Thu 7 May
Fri 8 May

Bookings close in 5 hours...

  • Adult$55.00
  • 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$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

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$50.00
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$50.00
  • 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

Bookings close in 8 hours...

  • Adult$55.00
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$55.00
  • 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$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$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

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

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

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.

Sara Carlton from United Kingdom wrote on 19 April 2026

Relaxing trip

Good way to pass a couple of hours . Lovely hosts. Drinks served onboard very pleasant

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed a relaxing trip and the onboard hospitality. Great to hear the drinks and hosts made it a pleasant experience. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

Adam Pakai from Hungary wrote on 17 April 2026

Beautiful experience

The crew took really good care of us, incl. our lovely skipper, who has turned out to be an excellent storyteller. Thank you 😊

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a beautiful experience and felt well looked after by the crew. We’ll be sure to pass on your compliments to the skipper—what a compliment to be called an excellent storyteller! Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

Priscila from New Zealand wrote on 14 April 2026

5 stars experience!

We took our family from Brazil to Taupō and spent the morning on the Ernest Kemp cruise around Lake Taupō. They absolutely loved the experience! The team were fantastic, and everything was so well run. We’d highly recommend this to anyone visiting Taupō.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear your family from Brazil loved their time on Lake Taupō. It’s great to know the team and experience made such a positive impression. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you all again soon! Warm regards, The Team at Ernest Kemp

Moana from New Zealand wrote on 14 April 2026

Beautiful

Definitely worth the trip and cost! On a beautiful day, it was spectacular! We even had the opportunity to jump in and swim in the lake right near the Carvings. It was so refreshing anf well worth the trip!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you had a spectacular day and enjoyed the swim—it sounds like a perfect experience. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

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.