Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

4.7
1641
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!

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).

Adult $50.00 (10:30am, 2pm, 5pm & 7pm Departures)
Adult - $45.00 (9am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm departures )
Child $15.00 (5-15 yrs old)
Infant $10.00 (Under 5 years)
Infant - 5pm $10.00 (Under 5 years)

What's included

  • Informative commentary
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and cookies
  • 2 hour cruise on 10:30am, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm departures
  • 1.5 hour cruise on 9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm

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 the black boat harbour booking office at Berth #2, Taupo Marina, Redoubt Street., minimum 15 mins before your cruise is scheduled to depart, to collect your boarding pass.

Available Bookings from 27 Dec to 9 Jan 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Fri 27 Dec
Sat 28 Dec
Sun 29 Dec
Mon 30 Dec
Tue 31 Dec
Wed 1 Jan
Thu 2 Jan
Fri 3 Jan
Sat 4 Jan
Sun 5 Jan
Mon 6 Jan
Tue 7 Jan
Wed 8 Jan
Thu 9 Jan

  • Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$29.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$29.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$29.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult -$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

Bookings close in 3 hours...

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$39.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

Bookings close in 5 hours...

  • Adult$50.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$29.00
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$29.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$29.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00

  • Adult$35.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$15.00
  • Infant$10.00
Fantastic Boat Trip Great trip Lovely trip Amazing! Highly recommend
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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

1641 reviews

Showing all 1641 authenticated Bookme reviews

Carren-Tai Waqa from New Zealand wrote on 18 August 2024

Amazing

My partner and I really enjoyed cruising on the Ernest Kemp to see the Māori Rock Carvings. The boat itself was very unique, comfortable and they also had self serve refreshments. The crew was amazing and they also helped us to take great pictures. Overall it’s a really nice activity and I highly recommend. The view around the lake is amazing. Price wise was on the affordable side thanks to bookme nz.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

We appreciate your recommendation, Carren! Thank you very much for coming along :)

Shaibaaz Khoje from New Zealand wrote on 01 July 2024

Fantastic experience at classic cruise

I did this activity with my wife and my four-year-old daughter. I have taken many cruise trips, but this one was especially classic and peaceful, making it even more memorable. The staff and captain were so generous that they invited my little daughter to drive the boat with the captain. She was incredibly excited about it. They also gave her a wheel certificate, which was so exciting. It was an amazing and thrilling experience for us. Overall, the service was outstanding.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

We really appreciate the time you've taken to share your experience here, Shaibaaz. Always wonderful to read how much enjoyment our passengers have had aboard. Many thanks!

apple.j from Japan wrote on 24 June 2023

Cool trip on a cruise

One way to Māori rock took almost one hour. Stayed around five minutes near the Māori rock and then go back to a harbor. The cruise was cute and include chair and small desk inside. Hot drink were helped yourself.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

Thank you for your review Ayaka! We're glad to hear that you've enjoyed your trip onboard the Ernest Kemp! We hope to see you back again in the near future.

WH from New Zealand wrote on 30 December 2021

Lake Cruise

Pretty average cruise some commentary but not alot.

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

We are very sorry to hear that, Wayne! We want our passengers leaving us feeling like they got the most from their experience onboard. I have made a note to review the amount of commentary given on the 12:30 cruises, and we will look at where we can expand more in this area. Thank you for leaving us your honest feedback, we do appreciate it.

wayned1 from New Zealand wrote on 16 January 2022

Taupo boat trip

Cocktail boat trip, 5 to 7pm was great but advertised comes with a free beer or wine and pizza, they didnt give any pizza.. they had snacks on offer chippies, juice, peanut slab, .. there was none restocked , but they sure made the effort to restock the booze for sale.! Hostess tried to make it up with a free choc fish , n beer..

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From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

We are sorry you didn't receive any pizza Wayne, that is our mistake. We don't do the pizza cruises anymore, and have not for a long time, but unfortunately there is still bits and pieces of old advertising and information out there which says otherwise ( we are getting rid of it all as best we can!) Our team had a particularly busy day this day, four trips back-to-back and we apologise for being unable to restock the boat prior to your cruise :( Thank you for joining us all the same!

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Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult 10:30am, 2pm, 5pm & 7pm Departures

Adult - 9am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm departures

Adult

Child 5-15 yrs old

Child 5-15 yrs old

Child 12.30pm Departure

Infant Under 5 years

Infant - 5pm Under 5 years

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