1732
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Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
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Join us for a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Lake Taupo aboard The Ernest Kemp, a beautiful vintage replica steamboat!
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Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Fantastic Boat Trip
sjaysimpson from
United Kingdom
Fantastic Boat Trip
sjaysimpson from
United Kingdom
Great trip
Ernst Weeber from
Germany
Lovely trip
Kayleigh Parsons from
United Kingdom
Lovely trip
Kayleigh Parsons from
United Kingdom
Lovely trip
Kayleigh Parsons from
United Kingdom
Amazing!
VíctorAntonio from
NZ
Highly recommend
Andrea from
NZ
Wonderful
deliap from
NZ
Wonderful
deliap from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Lalruatfeli Jahau from
NZ
Boat trip
Stella Watkins from
United Kingdom
Ernest Kemp family sailing day
Chris Brooker from
NZ
Ernest Kemp family sailing day
Chris Brooker from
NZ
Very memorable tour
Leigh Donsky from
Australia
Very memorable tour
Leigh Donsky from
Australia
Good family's cruise
SEBASTIEN LIEGEOIS from
NZ
Good family's cruise
SEBASTIEN LIEGEOIS from
NZ
Great trip
marilynh from
NZ
Great trip
marilynh from
NZ
Amazing!
Isobel Delong from
United Kingdom
Great experience
coolsri from
NZ
Highly recommended!
Josie Ortaliz from
NZ
Thank U Ernie
Alice TeTonga from
NZ
Enjoyable morning
Pauline Wilson from
Australia
Enjoyable morning
Pauline Wilson from
Australia
Enjoyable morning
Pauline Wilson from
Australia
Super crew!
caroled2 from
NZ
Excellent
Renee Foden from
NZ
Best choice!!
Lara from
Brazil
Best choice!!
Lara from
Brazil
Best choice!!
Lara from
Brazil
A unique experience
singingirl76 from
NZ
A unique experience
singingirl76 from
NZ
A unique experience
singingirl76 from
NZ
Girls trip away
Alexandra Nicol from
NZ
Loved the experience
Debra Benson from
NZ
Loved the experience
Debra Benson from
NZ
Maori Rock Carvings Scenic tour with Ernest camp
Kelley from
Australia
Maori Rock Carvings Scenic tour with Ernest camp
Kelley from
Australia
Maori Rock Carvings Scenic tour with Ernest camp
Kelley from
Australia
Nice boat trip on a wonderful lake
merler from
Germany
Nice boat trip on a wonderful lake
merler from
Germany
Nice boat trip on a wonderful lake
merler from
Germany
Lake Taupo
Karen Noice from
United Kingdom
Lake Taupo
Karen Noice from
United Kingdom
A wonderful experience.
elainev4 from
NZ
A wonderful experience.
elainev4 from
NZ
A wonderful experience.
elainev4 from
NZ
Ernest Kemp
Kelly Moss from
NZ
Ernest Kemp
Kelly Moss from
NZ
A relaxing and informative trip
Sally Costello from
Australia
A relaxing and informative trip
Sally Costello from
Australia
A relaxing and informative trip
Sally Costello from
Australia
Great!
martink9 from
NZ
Great!
martink9 from
NZ
Great!
martink9 from
NZ
Nice and worth the price
Maddi Pham from
NZ
Nice and worth the price
Maddi Pham from
NZ
ERNEST Camp Cruise
FAUSTINAH Ndlovu from
NZ
You should experience this....
namirah90 from
Malaysia
You should experience this....
namirah90 from
Malaysia
Weather
emilyd11 from
Australia
Fun experience
Megan Chism from
Ireland
Fun experience
Megan Chism from
Ireland
Fun experience
Megan Chism from
Ireland
Great cruise
MARTINA POCHMANOVA from
Czech Republic
Fantastic experience
Renata from
NZ
Fantastic!!!!
Ilona vanvelzen from
NZ
Fantastic!!!!
Ilona vanvelzen from
NZ
Great adventure
Anon from
NZ
Awesome
Lady Lazette from
NZ
Awesome
Lady Lazette from
NZ
Fantastic trip to Maori Rock Carvings
Lisa Conroy from
NZ
Quirky
Joanna from
NZ
Quirky
Joanna from
NZ
Perfect time
etiame from
French Polynesia
Awesome
Alana Molony from
NZ
Maori carvings cruise
Megan Paisley from
NZ
Maori carvings cruise
Megan Paisley from
NZ
Holiday fun
Aimeelee Tonga from
NZ
Amazing experience
Seneng By from
NZ
Sunday cruise
Natasha Selwyn from
NZ
Sunday cruise
Natasha Selwyn from
NZ
Fantastic
lindaa13 from
NZ
Fun Ride!
Katie from
NZ
Fun Ride!
Katie from
NZ
Fun Ride!
Katie from
NZ
Awesome 👌
joelener2 from
NZ
A must do
dianab6 from
NZ
A must do
dianab6 from
NZ
A must do
dianab6 from
NZ
Nice time on the lake
julie & Phil from
NZ
Nice time on the lake
julie & Phil from
NZ
AWESOME TRIP, JUST DO IT!
Maxine Parker from
NZ
AWESOME TRIP, JUST DO IT!
Maxine Parker from
NZ
Amazing experience
Cara Katene from
NZ
Excellent experience
natashal6 from
NZ
Excellent experience
natashal6 from
NZ
AMAZING
Willow Bennett from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Mahara Johnson from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Mahara Johnson from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Mahara Johnson from
NZ
Great experience
derekd4 from
NZ
Loved it
Juney from
NZ
Great host and trip
jessp15 from
NZ
Awesome experience
rosied2 from
NZ
Relaxing Outing
charlesh1 from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
Tania Topia from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
Tania Topia from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
Tania Topia from
NZ
Great way to spend 2 hours
Julena from
NZ
Earnest kemp māori carvings
Aj Rarere from
NZ
Highly recommended
lolitar from
NZ
Great trip out on the lake
Lisa from
NZ
Amazing
Waiomio Whānau from
Hong Kong
Amazing
Waiomio Whānau from
Hong Kong
Amazing
Waiomio Whānau from
Hong Kong
Amazing
calebn from
NZ
Amazing
calebn from
NZ
Amazing
calebn from
NZ
Beautiful Sunny day in Winter
Kim Crawford from
NZ
Beautiful Sunny day in Winter
Kim Crawford from
NZ
Waves for days
tanial2 from
NZ
Stunning!
alicem12 from
NZ
Stunning!
alicem12 from
NZ
Amazing
Akshay Dame from
NZ
Family Vacation
Linda Enua from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Renate Wagemann from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Renate Wagemann from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Renate Wagemann from
NZ
Tino Paī
Shaun Kingi from
NZ
Highly recommend
Jessica from
NZ
Highly recommend
Jessica from
NZ
Highly recommend
Jessica from
NZ
It was a great experience.
Jill Hellyer from
NZ
Pawsome experience!
malinisnz19 from
NZ
Pawsome experience!
malinisnz19 from
NZ
Pawsome experience!
malinisnz19 from
NZ
Cruising Lake Taupo
Brian Kerr from
NZ
Cruising Lake Taupo
Brian Kerr from
NZ
Cruising Lake Taupo
Brian Kerr from
NZ
Great views
Irene Wheeler from
NZ
Great views
Irene Wheeler from
NZ
Great views
Irene Wheeler from
NZ
Amazing experience
Glenn Adriaanse from
NZ
Amazing experience
Glenn Adriaanse from
NZ
Amazing experience
Glenn Adriaanse from
NZ
Epic!
sezza from
NZ
Awesome experience at a small cost
Helen from
NZ
Beautiful Afternoon
Nancy Au from
NZ
Beautiful Afternoon
Nancy Au from
NZ
Amazing
Rose from
NZ
Lovely Day
jax12 from
NZ
Great experience!!!
Gurpreet from
NZ
Great experience!!!
Gurpreet from
NZ
Excellent Value For Money
Brenda Neville from
NZ
Excellent Value For Money
Brenda Neville from
NZ
Fantastic and supportive staff..
Nevil Gandhi from
NZ
Best Experience
Agnes from
NZ
Five star experience
Nicola from
NZ
Five star experience
Nicola from
NZ
Five star experience
Nicola from
NZ
Great family fun and value
Kim Layzell from
NZ
Great family fun and value
Kim Layzell from
NZ
Piper the Adventure Pup
Claire Worley from
NZ
Piper the Adventure Pup
Claire Worley from
NZ
Such a fun experience and it was raining!
Mayleen Tukaokao from
NZ
Such a fun experience and it was raining!
Mayleen Tukaokao from
NZ
Beautiful cruise on the Lake
Michelle Hopa from
NZ
A lovely outing on the Lake
renatak from
NZ
A lovely outing on the Lake
renatak from
NZ
A lovely outing on the Lake
renatak from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Anthony from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Anthony from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Anthony from
NZ
Great cruise
charlottey1 from
NZ
Great cruise
charlottey1 from
NZ
Amazing cruise on the lake of Taupo
Sa from
NZ
Hita crew
Libby Hita from
NZ
Great time
Teresa from
NZ
Great time
Teresa from
NZ
Great time
Teresa from
NZ
She said YES
Michael Waru from
NZ
A must do
Chris Sands from
NZ
A must do
Chris Sands from
NZ
A must do
Chris Sands from
NZ
Maori rock carving boat trip
Lisa from
NZ
Maori rock carving boat trip
Lisa from
NZ
Maori rock carving boat trip
Lisa from
NZ
Shanique Ahuriri
Anahera from
NZ
Shanique Ahuriri
Anahera from
NZ
Shanique Ahuriri
Anahera from
NZ
Winter view of Mt Ruapehu
Jim from
NZ
Magical
Vanessa Riddell from
NZ
Magical
Vanessa Riddell from
NZ
Fabulous afternoon
Dani Jurgeleit from
NZ
Sail away with me
hollyt5 from
NZ
Rocky at first, smooth sailing back!
Tanya Tapatuetoa from
NZ
Rocky at first, smooth sailing back!
Tanya Tapatuetoa from
NZ
Maori rock carving
Farah from
NZ
Mid-year get away thru Ernest Kemp.?
melodyg1 from
NZ
7 star
himanshug from
NZ
7 star
himanshug from
NZ
7 star
himanshug from
NZ
Unforgettable!
Bayu Paramayuda from
Indonesia
Lake Taupo Trip
Anand Harsh from
NZ
Lake Taupo Trip
Anand Harsh from
NZ
Lake Taupo Trip
Anand Harsh from
NZ
Very nice and relax
Echo Yan from
NZ
Very nice and relax
Echo Yan from
NZ
Very nice and relax
Echo Yan from
NZ
Great little arvo trip!
Danielle from
NZ
Great little arvo trip!
Danielle from
NZ
Great little arvo trip!
Danielle from
NZ
Maori Carving
Rory Grindey from
United Kingdom
Every time..
dustins1 from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
amandap9 from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
amandap9 from
NZ
Relaxing and enjoyable.
lindah19 from
NZ
Relaxing and enjoyable.
lindah19 from
NZ
Beautiful Lake Taupo
Szu Szian from
Malaysia
BLISSFUL BOAT TOUR WITH EARNEST KEMP .
Josephine Young from
NZ
BLISSFUL BOAT TOUR WITH EARNEST KEMP .
Josephine Young from
NZ
BLISSFUL BOAT TOUR WITH EARNEST KEMP .
Josephine Young from
NZ
Fabulous
Jess from
NZ
Getting up close to the wonderful rock carvings.
Helen Miller from
NZ
Being Captain!
Natalie from
NZ
Fantastic
chrish1 from
NZ
Awesome experience
Sharn Pune from
NZ
Great experience
Ashley from
NZ
Great experience
Ashley from
NZ
Ernest Kemp - Cancelled trip
Angela from
NZ
School Holidays
harpals from
NZ
School Holidays
harpals from
NZ
Friendly, informative and great value
Kelly-Ann Oosterbeek from
Australia
Amazing carvings full of Māori talent
Steph Mander from
NZ
Amazing carvings full of Māori talent
Steph Mander from
NZ
Nice experience
kevinc15 from
NZ
Nice experience
kevinc15 from
NZ
Nice experience
kevinc15 from
NZ
Beautiful!
keturac from
NZ
Beautiful!
keturac from
NZ
Beautiful!
keturac from
NZ
Great
bryannem from
NZ
Great
bryannem from
NZ
Taupo Lake / Maori rock carvings
Cindy from
NZ
Lake Taupo Family pic
Prasanga Lakmal from
NZ
Had a great time
brittanyn1 from
NZ
Had a great time
brittanyn1 from
NZ
À ne pas rater
Soizic Jacquemart from
France
Beautiful experience
Leanne from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Leanne from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Leanne from
NZ
Fantastic evening cruise
Jonathan from
NZ
Fantastic evening cruise
Jonathan from
NZ
So relaxed and friendly team.
Sarah-Jane Susac from
Australia
So relaxed and friendly team.
Sarah-Jane Susac from
Australia
So relaxed and friendly team.
Sarah-Jane Susac from
Australia
Boat and staff was awesome. Wine and a beautiful sunset were an added bonus. Great way to see the rock carvings!!
Nathaniel Stevenson from
United States
Great experience for the family
Carrie DeBoer from
Canada
Great experience for the family
Carrie DeBoer from
Canada
Great experience for the family
Carrie DeBoer from
Canada
Stunning!!
Raewyn from
Australia
Stunning!!
Raewyn from
Australia
Stunning!!
Raewyn from
Australia
Smashing Taupo Lake Cruise
angelaf4 from
NZ
Smashing Taupo Lake Cruise
angelaf4 from
NZ
Smashing Taupo Lake Cruise
angelaf4 from
NZ
Magical
Sandra from
NZ
Awesome trip
natasham2 from
Australia
Awesome trip
natasham2 from
Australia
Awesome trip
natasham2 from
Australia
Best experience
Paula Gee-wanhill from
NZ
Best experience
Paula Gee-wanhill from
NZ
Best experience
Paula Gee-wanhill from
NZ
여유로운 뱃놀이~
Iris.Kim from
South Korea
Wonderful morning on Lake Taupo
Maryam from
Germany
Ernest Fun
Nicholas Dintelmann from
United States
Il be recommending
Tessa from
NZ
Nice trip and affordable
janap4 from
South Africa
Nice trip and affordable
janap4 from
South Africa
Maori carvings Lake Taupo cruise
leonardh from
Australia
Maori carvings Lake Taupo cruise
leonardh from
Australia
Fantastic all around!
Rhiannon Lattaway from
NZ
Excellentl
Gracie from
Mexico
Ernest Kemp on Lake Taupo 5 month old to 33 year old :)
Aimalefoa from
NZ
Great
Tina Taylor from
NZ
Great
Tina Taylor from
NZ
Great
Tina Taylor from
NZ
Ngatoroirangi
Connie Hawea from
NZ
Beautiful day in june
Carol from
NZ
Lake Taupo
Bec from
NZ
Ernest Kemp cruise
Karen Begg from
NZ
Great trip
Suzanne Kyd from
NZ
Amazing cruise
Louise from
NZ
Amazing cruise
Louise from
NZ
Cruise
Jocelyn Arahanga from
NZ
Fun family trip
Megan from
NZ
Fun family trip
Megan from
NZ
Majestic
Arturo from
Mexico
Majestic
Arturo from
Mexico
Informative and fun tour
Sarah Kleinitz from
Australia
Informative and fun tour
Sarah Kleinitz from
Australia
Informative and fun tour
Sarah Kleinitz from
Australia
Five stars
hamishr from
NZ
Stunning cruise
Sophie Allan from
NZ
The boat docks at the harbor
Agastya from
Indonesia
Ernest Kemp Tour Review
Shimiah from
NZ
Awesome
Lilly Carter from
NZ
Awesome
Lilly Carter from
NZ
Awesome
Lilly Carter from
NZ
Māori Rocks
Cornelia Robbe from
Germany
Māori Rocks
Cornelia Robbe from
Germany
Awesome experience
Robert from
NZ
Great Day Out!!
Jack Domah from
Ireland
Ernest Kemp
Sarah from
Denmark
Ernest Kemp
Sarah from
Denmark
Excellent !!!
Mohd Suffian Sahadan from
Malaysia
nice weather
UEN from
Taiwan
Choppy, but still worthwhile to see rock carvings
Greg from
NZ
Choppy, but still worthwhile to see rock carvings
Greg from
NZ
Choppy, but still worthwhile to see rock carvings
Greg from
NZ
A Must do!
Calli from
NZ
A Must do!
Calli from
NZ
Must Do
GanSetu Family from
NZ
Rock carving up close & personal
maryanneh1 from
Australia
Carvings
jobre from
NZ
Carvings
jobre from
NZ
Awesome Trip
Rajesh Purabia from
NZ
Amazing experience
Sammi Smith from
NZ
Amazing experience
Sammi Smith from
NZ
Excellent
Anastasiya from
NZ
Me neither my wife
snm2975 from
NZ
Some of the carvings totally amazing
Amanda Rossel from
Australia
Lovely journey
Gwen Lee from
South Korea
Lovely journey
Gwen Lee from
South Korea
Nice relaxing trip!
null from
Germany
Maori rockcarvings
Jill from
United Kingdom
Great tour
kimp9 from
Australia
Awesome Experience
Nichola from
NZ
enjoyable and relaxing
craigr2 from
NZ
enjoyable and relaxing
craigr2 from
NZ
A unique experience
Cassy Watson from
NZ
The Maori Carving Rock
Nunik Nurjanah from
NZ
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 1732 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you, Ian! We love that the cruise gave you that perfect breather before hitting the slopes. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the carvings and the cruise itself. We’ll pass on your review to the skipper he’ll be thrilled to hear your kind words. Appreciate you cruising with us and sharing your thoughts! We hope to see you again :)
tmh1907 from New Zealand wrote on 29 August 2025
Awesome morning
We loved this cruise out on Lake Taupo. The crew were amazing. The crewman that walked around talking to everyone on board was a delight. The skipper/ compere was so knowledgeable and had some great anecdotes to share. Our 2 boys LOVED being invited up to have a turn driving. Definitely recommend.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
What an awesome review, thank you! We're so glad the whole family had a great time out on the lake. The crew will be stoked to hear your kind words, especially knowing the boys had a blast up front. It means a lot to us when guests feel welcomed, relaxed, and entertained, that’s exactly the experience we aim to deliver every day. Thanks again for joining us and for sharing the good vibes!
Verity from New Zealand wrote on 27 August 2025
NEW Maori rock carvings
Perfect day for a pleasant trip on the Lake. Carvings a bit disappointing when we'd thought they were ancient, but were only a few years old! Sparse commentary as we went. Otherwise good.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Verity, thank you for your feedback and for joining us on our cruise. We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful day on the lake. While the carvings are relatively recent, they represent an important and meaningful tribute to Māori culture and heritage, making them just as fascinating. We appreciate your comments about the commentary and will work to improve it with more detailed and engaging narration. We hope you have a lovely day!
varinderj from New Zealand wrote on 22 August 2025
The Ernest Kemp cruise was absolutely fantastic!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Ernest Kemp cruise was absolutely fantastic! The vintage replica steamboat itself is full of charm and made the whole experience feel unique and special. The staff were warm, welcoming, and very knowledgeable, sharing fascinating stories about Lake Taupo and the history of the Māori rock carvings. The cruise was smooth and relaxing, with plenty of time to take in the breathtaking scenery. The highlight, of course, was getting up close to the Māori rock carvings – such an incredible cultural and artistic treasure. Complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits onboard were a lovely touch too. Highly recommend this cruise to anyone visiting Taupo – it’s the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and history. A must-do experience!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you Varinderj! We appreciate you taking the time to write this wonderful review. We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience with the warm hospitality of our crew and the trip itself. It’s always a pleasure to know our guests enjoy learning about the history. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed our services. Thank you for your kind recommendation. We hope you have a wonderful day!
julies52 from New Zealand wrote on 18 August 2025
Something for everyone
What an interesting cruise. Great history, humour and facts. Throughly enjoyed this and what a spectacular day.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Thank you so much, Julie! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the cruise and had a spectacular day. Have a lovely day!
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IAN BROWN from New Zealand wrote on 29 August 2025
A most tranquil interlude
We thought we'd take it down a notch or two and cruise the lake before skiing the next day. Nice surprise. An interesting trip with the carvings as the highlight but traveling close to the shore meant you took in a lot of the uniqueness of this stunning lake. Well catered for with wine, beer and nibbles. And Captain Haddock was informative while not intrusive. Will do it again