On New Zealand's lakes there are no ships connecting communities and places on these shores.
But there are cruises on several lakes that allow tourists to experience some of the sights of around these lakes.
The Lakeland Queen operates cruises on Lake Rotorua.
It departs on its cruises from Rotorua, the thermal spa city on the shores of the lake.
Rotorua is known for its thermal activity, including hot springs, bubbling mud, steam vents, and geysers.
[Mar 2017].
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The Lakeland Queen was built in 1986 to resemble the early Mississippi steamers.
But the paddle wheel is operated by a diesel motor.
It is a relatively loud motor that can be heard well from the shore.
The ship also has bow thrusters aft and forward.
The ship was constructed by the local company Lakeland Steel.
[Mar 2017].
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The Lakeland Queen is 28.70m long and has a capacity of 210 passengers.
[Mar 2017].
|
One of the most beautiful North Island lakes is Lake Tarawera.
The volcano Mount Tarawera sits above this lake, which is largely surrounded by native bush.
The Maritime Patrol of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council travels across Lake Tarawera.
[Nov 2018].
|
On the north-western shore of Lake Tarawera are a number of holiday houses,
most of which are quite luxurious, especially those close to the water.
Many have their own private jetties.
The Elva is tied to one of those jetties.
Even though she is a private boat, she has the elegance of a lake ship.
[Nov 2018].
|
A walkway follows the water's edge so that ordinary folk can look at the nice boats and luxurious houses along the lake.
The Elva sits at the shore of Rahuiroa Bay, Lake Tarawera.
[Nov 2018].
|
Te Kariri is a water taxi and also offers scheduled trips on Lake Tarawera.
She is 6.80 m long and can carry up to 14 passengers.
She has just dropped off some passengers near the Wairua Stream with its Hot Pool.
[Nov 2019].
|
The bigger vessel operated by Totally Tarawera is the Sophia.
She is 11.78 m long and can carry up to 60 passengers.
[Nov 2019].
|
The Sophia is named after Sophia Hinerangi, the principal guide to the pink and white terraces at Lake Rotomahana.
These impressive silica terraces were famous tourist attractions in the 19th century,
until they were destroyed by the Tarawera eruption on 10 June 1886.
They were accessed by canoe across Lake Tarawera, then a bush walk to the White Terraces,
and finally another boat ride on Lake Rotomahana to the pink terraces.
Mount Tarawera looms in the background in this photo.
[Nov 2019].
|
The eruption of Mount Tarawera took place in winter, so that not many tourists were in the nearby village of Te Wairoa.
Only one tourist died, but in total around 120 people perished.
Guide Sophia sheltered many people in her house, which did not collapse.
The vessel Sophia sails along Te Rata Bay.
[Nov 2019].
|
The Sophia picks up passengers near Wairua Stream on the southern shores of Lake Tarawera.
[Nov 2019].
|
Passengers board the Sophia at the hot water beach in Te Rata Bay.
Here hat water enters the lake through the sand.
Hot and cold pockets of water are side by side, so that a swim along the shore feels like a sauna with
constantly changing temperatures.
[Nov 2019].
|
The Ernest Kemp was built in 1980 in the style of an early century steam boat.
It was built and launched in Whangarei and began to offer cruises from Kerikeri.
After floods silted up the Kerikeri River inlet in 1981, the vessel could no longer operate there.
The Ernest Kempwas sold and transferred to Lake Taupo in 1982.
Lake Taupo is New Zealand's largest lake, right at the centre of the North Island.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Ernest Kemp has a steel hull and Kauri timber upper structures.
It is powered by a diesel motor.
Length: 14.47m. Passengers: 48 pax.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Ernest Kemp operates up to five trips a day from Taupo.
Here it sits in the clear waters of Taupo boat harbour.
[Jan 2019].
|
Most of the cruises of the Ernest Kemp go to the Taupo Māori Rock Carvings.
On the way many cruises make a round through tranquil Acacia Bay.
[Jan 2019].
|
After turning in a wide arch, the Ernest Kemp leaves Acacia Bay again.
[Jan 2019].
|
The rock carvings Ngātoroirangi are on a steep cliff near Whakamoenga Point and
are only accessible by ship or boat.
They were carved in 1976 and show the Māori chief who brought the people to Lake Taupo.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Ernest Kemp travels across Lake Taupo with Mt Ruapehu in the background.
Even in summer snow still lies on the upper slopes of the mountain.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Ernest Kemp passes Wharewaka on the eastern shores of Lake Taupo.
[Mar 2019].
|
The Ernest Kemp travels along the Taupo foreshore.
In summer this is a popular swimming area.
[Mar 2019].
|
The Ernest Kemp travels along Tapuaeharuru Bay past the suburbs of Taupo.
The hill in the background is Maunganamu.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Ernest Kemp was named after the first owner of the stone store in Kerikeri.
It retains this name connected with the Far North, even in Taupo.
Here the Ernest Kemp returns to the Taupo Harbour in the early evening.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Waikato River, the longest river in New Zealand starts in Lake Taupo.
Right where the river leaves the lake is the Taupo Harbour.
The Coastguard and the Taupo Harbourmaster have their offices and vessels here.
The Coastguard is a voluntary organisation that provides rescue services on some New Zealand lakes and the sea
surrounding New Zealand. It receives some funding from the government.
The Harbourmaster is a government official, enforcing regulations and promoting safety.
Most harbourmasters in New Zealand are part of the relevant regional council,
but the Taupo Harbourmaster is part of the Department of Internal Affairs.
[Jan 2019].
|
Another ship that regularly takes passengers on cruises on Lake Taupo is the catamaran Cruise Cat operated by
Chris Jolly Outdoors.
The twin hulls of the catamaran are clearly visible as the Cruise Cat leaves Taupo Harbour.
|
Cruise Cat particulars: Passengers: 98 pax. Length: 16.0m
Width: 6.2m Speed: 22 knots Shipyard: Robertson Brothers Boat Company
Limited, Warkworth. The ship was built in 1995.
The Cruise Cat near Taupo.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Cruise Cat offers a modern service with good kitchen and entertainment facilities.
It also takes visitors to the Māori Rock Carvings.
The ship returns to Taupo along Tapuaeharuru Bay.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Cruise Cat and Ernest Kemp leave Taupo on their evening cruises.
In 2007 the Cruise Cat collided with the navigational light seen here when returning from an evening cruise.
Both ships are busy during the summer taking passengers around Lake Taupo.
[Jan 2019].
|
The Lakeland Queen operates cruises on Lake Rotorua.
It departs on its cruises from Rotorua, the thermal spa city on the shores of the lake.
Rotorua is known for its thermal activity, including hot springs, bubbling mud, steam vents, and geysers.
[Mar 2017].
The Lakeland Queen was built in 1986 to resemble the early Mississippi steamers.
But the paddle wheel is operated by a diesel motor.
It is a relatively loud motor that can be heard well from the shore.
The ship also has bow thrusters aft and forward.
The ship was constructed by the local company Lakeland Steel.
[Mar 2017].
The Lakeland Queen is 28.70m long and has a capacity of 210 passengers.
[Mar 2017].
One of the most beautiful North Island lakes is Lake Tarawera.
The volcano Mount Tarawera sits above this lake, which is largely surrounded by native bush.
The Maritime Patrol of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council travels across Lake Tarawera.
[Nov 2018].
On the north-western shore of Lake Tarawera are a number of holiday houses,
most of which are quite luxurious, especially those close to the water.
Many have their own private jetties.
The Elva is tied to one of those jetties.
Even though she is a private boat, she has the elegance of a lake ship.
[Nov 2018].
A walkway follows the water's edge so that ordinary folk can look at the nice boats and luxurious houses along the lake.
The Elva sits at the shore of Rahuiroa Bay, Lake Tarawera.
[Nov 2018].
Te Kariri is a water taxi and also offers scheduled trips on Lake Tarawera.
She is 6.80 m long and can carry up to 14 passengers.
She has just dropped off some passengers near the Wairua Stream with its Hot Pool.
[Nov 2019].
The bigger vessel operated by Totally Tarawera is the Sophia.
She is 11.78 m long and can carry up to 60 passengers.
[Nov 2019].
The Sophia is named after Sophia Hinerangi, the principal guide to the pink and white terraces at Lake Rotomahana.
These impressive silica terraces were famous tourist attractions in the 19th century,
until they were destroyed by the Tarawera eruption on 10 June 1886.
They were accessed by canoe across Lake Tarawera, then a bush walk to the White Terraces,
and finally another boat ride on Lake Rotomahana to the pink terraces.
Mount Tarawera looms in the background in this photo.
[Nov 2019].
The eruption of Mount Tarawera took place in winter, so that not many tourists were in the nearby village of Te Wairoa.
Only one tourist died, but in total around 120 people perished.
Guide Sophia sheltered many people in her house, which did not collapse.
The vessel Sophia sails along Te Rata Bay.
[Nov 2019].
The Sophia picks up passengers near Wairua Stream on the southern shores of Lake Tarawera.
[Nov 2019].
Passengers board the Sophia at the hot water beach in Te Rata Bay.
Here hat water enters the lake through the sand.
Hot and cold pockets of water are side by side, so that a swim along the shore feels like a sauna with
constantly changing temperatures.
[Nov 2019].
The Ernest Kemp has a steel hull and Kauri timber upper structures.
It is powered by a diesel motor.
Length: 14.47m. Passengers: 48 pax.
[Jan 2019].
The Ernest Kemp operates up to five trips a day from Taupo.
Here it sits in the clear waters of Taupo boat harbour.
[Jan 2019].
Most of the cruises of the Ernest Kemp go to the Taupo Māori Rock Carvings.
On the way many cruises make a round through tranquil Acacia Bay.
[Jan 2019].
After turning in a wide arch, the Ernest Kemp leaves Acacia Bay again.
[Jan 2019].
The rock carvings Ngātoroirangi are on a steep cliff near Whakamoenga Point and
are only accessible by ship or boat.
They were carved in 1976 and show the Māori chief who brought the people to Lake Taupo.
[Jan 2019].
The Ernest Kemp travels across Lake Taupo with Mt Ruapehu in the background.
Even in summer snow still lies on the upper slopes of the mountain.
[Jan 2019].
The Ernest Kemp passes Wharewaka on the eastern shores of Lake Taupo.
[Mar 2019].
The Ernest Kemp travels along the Taupo foreshore.
In summer this is a popular swimming area.
[Mar 2019].
The Ernest Kemp travels along Tapuaeharuru Bay past the suburbs of Taupo.
The hill in the background is Maunganamu.
[Jan 2019].
The Ernest Kemp was named after the first owner of the stone store in Kerikeri.
It retains this name connected with the Far North, even in Taupo.
Here the Ernest Kemp returns to the Taupo Harbour in the early evening.
[Jan 2019].
The Waikato River, the longest river in New Zealand starts in Lake Taupo.
Right where the river leaves the lake is the Taupo Harbour.
The Coastguard and the Taupo Harbourmaster have their offices and vessels here.
The Coastguard is a voluntary organisation that provides rescue services on some New Zealand lakes and the sea
surrounding New Zealand. It receives some funding from the government.
The Harbourmaster is a government official, enforcing regulations and promoting safety.
Most harbourmasters in New Zealand are part of the relevant regional council,
but the Taupo Harbourmaster is part of the Department of Internal Affairs.
[Jan 2019].
Another ship that regularly takes passengers on cruises on Lake Taupo is the catamaran Cruise Cat operated by
Chris Jolly Outdoors.
The twin hulls of the catamaran are clearly visible as the Cruise Cat leaves Taupo Harbour.
Cruise Cat particulars: Passengers: 98 pax. Length: 16.0m
Width: 6.2m Speed: 22 knots Shipyard: Robertson Brothers Boat Company
Limited, Warkworth. The ship was built in 1995.
The Cruise Cat near Taupo.
[Jan 2019].
The Cruise Cat offers a modern service with good kitchen and entertainment facilities.
It also takes visitors to the Māori Rock Carvings.
The ship returns to Taupo along Tapuaeharuru Bay.
[Jan 2019].
The Cruise Cat and Ernest Kemp leave Taupo on their evening cruises.
In 2007 the Cruise Cat collided with the navigational light seen here when returning from an evening cruise.
Both ships are busy during the summer taking passengers around Lake Taupo.
[Jan 2019].