Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1839
Deals from $27.00 Save $28.00 Check datescalendar_month
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 3 May to 16 May 2026

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

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Sat 16 May

  • 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 44 minutes...

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

  • Adult$35.00
  • 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$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
Fantastic tour on Ernest Kemp Beautiful experience 5 stars experience! Beautiful Amazing Boat trip
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Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.7

1839 reviews

Showing all 1839 authenticated Bookme reviews

elainet from Taiwan wrote on 13 August 2020

喜歡這次旅程!

非常喜歡這次旅程!

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you very much for joining us, we love that you had such a great time!

Irene Ma from Hong Kong wrote on 05 November 2016

Good!

Few days before the departure, the weather forecast was cloudy with a little rain. Luckily, that day was a sunny day! Clear to see the carving on the wall! Have enough time to take photos. Although I travel alone, I enjoy so much! Nice view, nice people.

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Siu Ping Ng from Hong Kong wrote on 06 March 2016

lake cruise

nice

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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

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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.

markc37 from Australia wrote on 01 May 2026

Fantastic tour on Ernest Kemp

Had a perfect day with the weather for a morning cruise on the Ernest kemp We chose them as the boat looked authentic for the Area Small group fantastic commentary from our skipper A young boy celebrated his 13th birthday so we sang happy Birthday and he was given the opportunity to steer the boat back to our dock Highly recommend booking Mark and Jen Australia 24/4/26

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you, Mark and Jen, for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed a perfect morning on the Ernest Kemp and appreciated the authentic experience and small group atmosphere. It’s great to hear the birthday celebration made the trip even more special — what a memorable moment at the helm! Thanks again for your recommendation, and we’d love to welcome you back in the future. Warm regards, The Ernest Kemp Team

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Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult 10:30am and 2pm Departures

Adult - 9am and 12:30pm departures

Adult 4:30pm and 6:30pm departures

Child 0-15 yrs old

Child 0-15 yrs old

Child 12.30pm Departure

*This option must be made together with another price type.
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