Join us for a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Lake Taupo aboard The Ernest Kemp, a beautiful vintage replica steamboat!
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, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm = 2 hour (approx).
9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm = 1.5 hour (approx).
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
Hi Gary, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! We're glad you enjoyed the trip and had some fun along the way. Have a lovely day.
We thoroughly enjoyed our boat tour experience. The two gentlemen who accompanied us were incredibly kind and made the journey memorable. One of them, the captain, shared his wealth of knowledge about the area, which enriched the trip. He even allowed my daughter to take the wheel, and she had an absolutely thrilling experience! Overall, it was a delightful outing, especially for my mom, who was visiting us from the Philippines. She expressed how much she cherished the time we spent together. It was a wonderful day, filled with joy and lasting memories!
Thank you so much for your kind words Seychelle! We’re happy to hear that your family had such a memorable time with us. It means a lot to know we could be part of a joyful experience during your visit. Wishing you and your loved one's safe travels and all the best in your future adventures. Have a beautiful day!
Highly recommended
Thank you for your recommendation Dragos! Have a wonderful day :)
It was a smooth comfortable ride and had a good view and explaination of the Maori carving
Hi there, thank you for your review! We appreciate your kind words. Have a lovely day
It was really nice experince with the gentle crew!
Hi there, thank you for your lovely review! Have a wonderful day
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garyp11 from Jersey wrote on 17 September 2025
A great trio
Great trip Commentary throughout the journey was infuriating and fun The carvings are very impressive from the boat The captain's mate was really good