Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

4.8
1220

Discover the ancient Māori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupō with the trustworthy team at Chris Jolly Outdoors!

Discover the ancient Māori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupō with the trustworthy team at Chris Jolly Outdoors!

Highlights

  • 90 Minute cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings with live commentary
  • Stylish and spacious vessel with plenty of room for large groups
  • Spectacular viewing platforms get you right up next to the scenery
  • Live fishing demonstration on-board (1.30pm cruise only)
  • Trustworthy team with over 40 years experience

Tick off one of the top things to do in Taupō as you visit some of New Zealand's most extraordinary artworks, the historic Ngātoroirangi Māori Rock Carvings!

Attracting visitors from all around the world, the Māori Rock Carvings are truly unique and only accessible by water, towering 14-metres above Lake Taupō.

You'll travel aboard the Cruise Cat, a stylish vessel that has been built for comfort offering warm booths and spacious viewing platforms that get you right up next to the scenery.

Enjoy live commentary and a hot beverage and muffin on board, and keep the kids entertained with colouring, a treasure hunt, or even driving the boat if the skipper allows. The afternoon cruise also includes a trout fishing demonstration where you'll also learn about various fishing options on Lake Taupō.

The friendly team at Chris Jolly Outdoors has over 40 years of experience and place high importance on your safety and wellbeing, so you can expect exceptional service, high attention to hygiene, and an all-round awesome time out on the water!

Adult $59.00 (17 years and older)
Child $20.00 (4 - 16 years)
Infant $10.00 (0 - 3 years)
Family $158.00 (Price $158 if purchased separately - Discounts shown from this rate)

What's included

  • Hot beverage and muffin (not available on 5.00 pm cruises)
  • Live commentary
  • Live fishing demonstration (1pm cruise only)

Duration

  • Allow approximately 90 minutes for the whole experience

Location

  • Departure Location: Taupō Harbour
  • Berth 4, Taupō Boat Harbour, Redoubt Street, Taupō 3330

Notes

  • Child Age 4 - 16 years inclusive. Family Pass is for 2 Adults + 2 Children or 2 Infants.

  • Pram and wheelchair access - please enquire with the operator prior to booking.

Available Bookings from25 Mar to 7 Apr 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

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  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$59.00
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$26.55 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$59.00
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$59.00
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$59.00
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$59.00
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00

  • Adult$59.00
  • Child$20.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$158.00
Maori carvings Croisière sur le lac Taupo Must Do!!! Great time Relaxing morning
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Authenticated Reviews

Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support

  • emergencyAmazing staff and crew who are friendly and knowledgeable (45 people said this).
  • emergencyBeautiful scenery and great views of the Māori rock carvings (40 people said this).
  • emergencyDelicious freshly baked muffins and complimentary hot drinks (35 people said this).
  • emergencyFun and engaging experience for families, with activities for kids (30 people said this).
  • emergencyGreat value for money, making it a must-do in Taupo (25 people said this).
  • emergencySmooth and relaxing cruise, even in less-than-ideal weather (20 people said this).
  • star_shineBring a jacket for cooler weather.
    Plan to take lots of photos at the carvings.
5 Stars
1055
4 Stars
119

4.8

1220 reviews

Showing all 1220 authenticated Bookme reviews

Keri Hobday from Australia wrote on 25 March 2026

Maori carvings

The skipper, staff and boat were all great and the trip out to the carvings was smooth and informative. The carvings themselves were a sight to definitely see.

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Nice photo! Thank you for the comments too.

Sue Fermor from New Zealand wrote on 22 March 2026

Great cruise!

We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise, comfortable boat and beautiful views across the lake. Interesting commentary without giving too much information. Thank you for the complimentary tea, coffee and muffins. Highly recommend including this lake cruise while visiting Taupō!

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Thank you for your comments, we appreciate the feedback!

libym from Australia wrote on 16 March 2026

Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise

Lovely cruise, very knowledgeable and friendly staff, would definitely recommend.

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Thank you for the recommendation!

leeanneo1 from New Zealand wrote on 18 March 2026

Waste of money

This is the second time in 12 months we have done this cruise. First time our skipper was amazing!! Bubbly happy entertained us the whole time, kids got to do some fishing the whole trip was an absolute vibe. We came back today because we had such a great experience. Sadly this trip has been what I would call absolute crap. We are still on the boat and there is not a single soul not on there phones scrolling because we are board We got a few minutes at the carvings before heading back at a snails pace because the skipper is very obviously trying to kill time. He has not spoken or said a would apart from his first speech when we left and when we were almost back. He has spent more time on his phone This trip has been beyond disappointing and a complete waste of money.

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Thank you for this feedback - we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. I will pass the comments to our management team who will address this with the skipper. So sorry for your disappointment I will contact you privately.

aakashk3 from United Kingdom wrote on 14 March 2026

Great trip

Good commentary. The blueberry muffins were delicious. Overall would recommend

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Thank you, we are glad you enjoyed the cruise and our delicious muffins!

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Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult 17 years and older

Child 4 - 16 years

Infant 0 - 3 years

Family Price $158 if purchased separately - Discounts shown from this rate

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