Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

4.8
1213

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 from12 Mar to 25 Mar 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

Change Dates
Thu 12 Mar
Fri 13 Mar
Sat 14 Mar
Sun 15 Mar
Mon 16 Mar
Tue 17 Mar
Wed 18 Mar
Thu 19 Mar
Fri 20 Mar
Sat 21 Mar
Sun 22 Mar
Mon 23 Mar
Tue 24 Mar
Wed 25 Mar

  • 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$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$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$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$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$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$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$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$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$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$41.30 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$10.00
  • Family$97.30

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

Bookings close in 9 minutes...

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
Must Do!!! Great time Relaxing morning Wonderful trip FUN, INFORMATIVE AND RELAXING
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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
1049
4 Stars
119

4.8

1213 reviews

Showing all 1213 authenticated Bookme reviews

cody6499 from New Zealand wrote on 09 March 2026

Must Do!!!

Thoroughly enjoyed my experience aboard the Chris Jolly Outdoors Vessel, Check-In was a breeze, the team working on the 07/03/26 were so hospitable and made the trip even more delightful, the carving site was pristine and very well maintained, crystal clear waters, informative dialogue, just a great day in general. Be aware If travelling from outside of Taupō plan accordingly as multiple main roads into the city were blocked off but luckily we planned ahead with 2 hours travel time to spare!!!

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manjinder1992 from New Zealand wrote on 24 February 2026

Great time

It’s great moment of lifetime

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Great day for the cruise, thank you for the photo!

himeshniti12 from New Zealand wrote on 19 February 2026

Beautiful

.

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Thank you!!

beckyj7 from Australia wrote on 19 February 2026

Relaxing morning

Nice relaxing hour on the lake sailing on the comfortable boat. Unlimited tea & coffee was lovely as was the home made freshly cooked muffin! Carvings ok I mean it’s one caving not multiple but good to see in person. Crew all friendly and would certainly recommend this trip!

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Thank you for your comments and love the photo!

elonam from New Zealand wrote on 16 February 2026

Great morning. ¹

Lovely crew of woman.Very knowledgeable who all worked well together. An enjoyable morning spent on the boat.Even got to steer the boat.The carvings are well worth seeing. Had lovely muffins and tea during the cruise.Great morning.

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Glad you loved it - thank you!

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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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