• travel_explore
    Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Rotorua & Taupo... Experiences, attractions, dining & more
Earn 2 Airpoints Dollars™ for every $100 you spend
Earn double airpoints

Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1826
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 6 Apr to 19 Apr 2026

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Mon 6 Apr
Tue 7 Apr
Wed 8 Apr
Thu 9 Apr
Fri 10 Apr
Sat 11 Apr
Sun 12 Apr
Mon 13 Apr
Tue 14 Apr
Wed 15 Apr
Thu 16 Apr
Fri 17 Apr
Sat 18 Apr
Sun 19 Apr

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult$55.00
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult$45.00
  • 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$45.00 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$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

Bookings close in 9 hours...

  • Adult -$50.00
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$35.00
  • Child$15.00

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

  • Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • 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

  • Adult -$50.00
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$50.00
  • Child$15.00

  • Adult -$50.00
  • 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 -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$10.00

  • Adult$35.00
  • 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$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$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

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

1826 reviews

Showing all 1826 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.

Amanda Bolley from New Zealand wrote on 31 March 2026

Relaxing family trip

Relaxed smooth journey out to the carving with great information about Taupo and surrounding area. Very children friendly. Kids had a lesson at steering the Ernest. Staff were so friendly and informative. Would definitely do this trip on the Ernest again

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased you enjoyed the relaxing journey and learning more about the Taupo area. It’s great to hear the kids loved having a turn at steering the Ernest that’s always a highlight! We truly appreciate your kind words about our crew and look forward to welcoming you back again.

Caroline Gallo from New Zealand wrote on 30 March 2026

Cruise

The tour was relaxing and beautiful! The staff were amazing explaining details to us and also so friendly!

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 found the tour relaxing and beautiful, and that our team made the experience even more enjoyable with their friendliness and insights. We hope to see you again soon!

Patricia Bakker from Netherlands wrote on 28 March 2026

Lovely boat trip with great information

The boat itself is lovely with character, the lake needs no words, beautiful, the captain has a very enjoyable way of sharing his knowledge about the lake, the boat and more. Really good.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Hi Patricia! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are so glad you enjoyed your time on the water and appreciated the character of the boat. It is wonderful to hear the captain’s commentary made the experience even more engaging. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a wonderful rest of your travels!

Walnetta McCall from New Zealand wrote on 26 March 2026

The shores of Lake Taupo

Enjoyed seeing the carvings aboard the Ernest Kemp. A highlight of the voyage was the interesting commentary that followed the coastline and its features!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Hi Walnetta! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your time on board and that the commentary added to your experience along the lake. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a lovely rest of your day!

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.