Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp
Overview
Available languages
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Ernest Kemp Cruises cruising Lake Taupo for over 30 years. We specialise in visiting the Maori Rock Carvings daily. Enjoy the history of the area and this unique replica steamboat. Friendly skipper and crew offer a live commentary and a colour brochure explaining the meaning of the carvings. Lots of great photo opportunities with viewing and seating both inside and out. Bring a towel in summer months your skipper may decide there is time for a swim in our crystal clear lake.
Complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies. Free wifi on board.
4 cruises daily in the summer months, from 90 - 120 minutes. Our popular 5 pm Cocktail Cruise includes a couple of complimentary glasses of wine or beer and pizza, this is all included in the ticket price. Sit back and relax you will have great experience on board Ernest Kemp Cruises.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Well behaved dogs welcome.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Maori Rock Carvings
Sit back and relax cruising picturesque Lake Taupo to visit the famous Maori Rock Carvings with Ernest Kemp Cruises. Enjoy complimentary hot beverages, Free Wifi. Cruises between 90 -120 mins. Great photo opportunities. Comfortable seating inside and out. Live commentary of the lake and history of the local area.
What‘s Included
Free WiFi on board
Live commentary from skipper & crew
Complimentary tea, coffee & cookies.
Scenic cruise on Ernest Kemp
Snacks and drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic available for purchase on board.
Hotel pickup/drop-off
Options
6.30pm Evening 1.5 hour cruise
12.30pm 1.5 Hour Cruise
Maori Rock Carving Cruise
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
10.30am & 2 pm 2 Hour Cruise
9am Early Bird Cruise
9am Early Bird Cruise : 9am Early Bird Cruise with Ernest Kemp to visit the Maori Rock Carvings. Start the day with a relaxing Cruise.
6.30pm Evening Cruise 90 mins
4.30pm 1.5 hour Cruise
4.30pm 1.5 hour Cruise: 4.30pm Cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings, with the option to swim at the skippers discretion.
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Reviews
991 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rocking carvings were amazing!
414harrisong,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing knowledge and commentary from the Captain, great for kids, would go again
Amazing experience
manuJ9211HB,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, our Captain/ tour guide was so lovely! Super fun, relaxing and educational experience. The carvings are incredible, and the sailing to the site through Taupō lake was so nice and smooth, I highly recommend Ernest Kemp Cruises ✨
Bloody awesome!
SteveArnold 007,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bloody amazing, simple as that. Kiwi’s get out there, tourists get out there! It’s amazing, and the Ernest Kemp is by far the best was to do it.
Ernest Kemp was a wonderful experience
smokywoods,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Easy online experience to purchase our tickets, we were running late due to heavy traffic in front of us & the chap in the booking office was expecting us (as we were last to board) it was almost like they were holding back the departure of vessel whilst waiting for us to arrive? So big plus marks for that…timings on the trip were accurate. We arrived at the carvings by 3pm & along the way the ships captain kept us informed of the different landmarks along the way. & on the way back too The carvings were fascinating & he took us very close to them as the water is deep in those parts. We were back on dry land by 4pm & on the way back the captain told us some more stories of the ship & his adventures in getting to become the captain after many years thinking that the ship had been lost to the weather in Karekare Beach in the 80’s We also were treated to close ups of the luxurious abodes on our return journey. Well worth the visit & a big 5* from us
A lovely scenic boat tour
rochelleforster,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a lovely cruise on Lake Taupo on a beautiful day. We went to also see the Maori carving- very unusual and not sure how they managed to carve into the rock here. It was quite spiritual. The steamboat was a good size, not too big and had both indoor and outdoor space. There was a stop to jump in to swim (but it was way too cold for us to do that!) although a number of passengers did.
Great family fun on the lake.
hugovO9866HU,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience, and the kids absolutely loved it. They even got to drive the boat for a bit with the support of the friendly captain. Overall, fantastic experience with some amazing photo opportunities. Thank you very much.
Perfect Family Birthday Celebration!
Fogamomi P,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an incredible time celebrating a joint birthday for my youngest daughter and me. It was the perfect outing for my wife, our three kids, and me. A huge highlight was when the owner gave us a special birthday shout-out and even invited both of us up to help drive the boat! It made our special day even cooler and more memorable. The boat was spacious, and we all had a blast. Highly recommend for families!
Amazing experience:)
Willow M,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. We loved the commentary and jokes (Sarah is the best skipper/low key comedian) and the carvings are amazing. Highly recommend!
Great experience
Angela S,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice ride on Lake Taupo. The pictures in the rock are very impressive. Catering with tea coffee and cookies is great. Interesting information from Captain during the voyage!
Fun trip
ChrisHyett,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing. Enjoyed the tour, the guides, the photo opportunities. A great trip on a lovely boat
From NZ$50.00
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Operated by ERNEST KEMP SCENIC CRUISES