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Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
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).
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00
- 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$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$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$15.00
- Adult -$27.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$35.00 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 -$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 -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- 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$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$15.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00
- 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$15.00
- 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$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$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 1820 authenticated Bookme reviews
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.
jeremy83 from China wrote on 19 March 2026
Beautiful Cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings
I had a wonderful experience on the Ernest Kemp cruise to see the Māori rock carvings on Lake Taupō. The weather was perfectly clear on the day, and the lake was incredibly crystal clear, with many swans around the harbor when we boarded. The check-in process was smooth and well organized, and both the captain and crew were very friendly and welcoming. During the journey, they provided informative and engaging commentary about the lake, nearby volcanoes, and the history behind the carvings. On a sunny day, I highly recommend sitting at the front of the boat, where the views are open and very comfortable. When we reached the carvings, the captain stopped for a while to make sure everyone had enough time to fully appreciate them—it’s truly impressive to see both the power of nature and the cultural significance of the artwork. The cruise was very relaxing. Guests were offered snacks, tea, and coffee, and there was even a chance to swim in the lake, which was beautifully clear. The boat itself was clean, and I chose a classic-style vessel, which added to the charm. Overall, it’s a perfect mix of nature and culture, and I highly recommend it.
Stephanie French from United Kingdom wrote on 16 March 2026
Lovely!
Boat on time, clean and well kept. Staff very friendly and helpful. Tea and coffee on board and a free cookie (hooray!) and a lovely way to spend some time on Lake Taupo and to see the Māori carvings.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re so glad you enjoyed your time out on the lake and seeing the carvings. It’s lovely to hear you found the boat clean and well looked after too. We will pass on your kind words! Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day.
KG from New Zealand wrote on 16 March 2026
An enjoyable evening
This was a relaxing, fun, and informative early-evening cruise. Very good value for money; I recommend it highly
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re so glad you had a relaxing and enjoyable evening on the cruise. We hope you have a great rest of your day.
Nik Mounter from New Zealand wrote on 15 March 2026
Awesome trip to Maori carvings
Had done this trip many years ago and was very happy that it was just as enjoyable trip. The skipper was very friendly, knowledgeable and funny and the other staff member was very friendly and professional looking after the passengers. Would highly recommend
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Nik! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re so pleased to hear you enjoyed the trip to the Māori carvings and that it lived up to your previous visit. It’s great to know our skipper and crew helped make the experience memorable. We will pass on your kind words! Thanks again for sharing your experience. Wishing you a great rest of your day!
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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