Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

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Deals from $26.55 Save $32.45 Check datescalendar_month
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 from 22 Nov to 5 Dec 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
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Fri 5 Dec

Bookings close in 6 hours...

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

  • Adult$41.30
  • Child$14.00
  • Infant$7.00
  • Family$97.30

  • Adult$59.00
  • 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$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

Bookings close in 8 hours...

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

  • Adult$41.30
  • 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$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$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$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

Bookings close in 10 hours...

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

  • Adult$41.30
  • 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$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$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$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
Will come back again Awesome experience Jolly pleasant trip Absolutely amazing Amazing carvings, disappointing tour!
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Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5 Stars
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4 Stars
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4.8

1168 reviews

Showing all 1168 authenticated Bookme reviews

ginan from New Zealand wrote on 26 September 2025

Great family outing in Taupo

We went on the 10.30am sailing and found it a gorgeous morning on the water with the kids whilst on our family holiday. It was interesting to learn a bit more about Lake Taupo and the see the Maori carvings. Also nice to have a cup of coffee/ hot chocolate and yummy blueberry muffins on the cruise!

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Lovely coments - thank you for joining us!

sandyc from New Zealand wrote on 14 November 2025

Taupos hidden gem

What a wonderful experience from the moment you step on board. Thank you to these team for your amazing commentary and the chats.

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Lovely feedback - thank you!!

jodmar from Australia wrote on 11 November 2025

Special experience

Unfortunately we didn’t have a good day weather wise but the skipper was very informative and the staff were very friendly Fresh muffins out of the oven were lovely We got our tickets pretty cheap through this website so that was a bonus

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Thank you for your feedback - glad you enjoyed the cruise - happy travels in NZ

mackenziec2 from New Zealand wrote on 10 November 2025

Fishing To Waste Time

When we finished looking at the rock carvings the captain said they were going to fish for trout, because usually there’s a lot more people on the tour and it takes more time to have everyone look at the carvings. They could have taken us further along the lake instead. They spent 30 mins catching trout to waste time before going back to town, and released it afterwards. The carvings were from the 1970s, most people expected them to be centuries old. The tour gave out blueberry muffins which were delicious, tour was informative.

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

I am sorry you were disappointed with aspects of this cruise - however the 1.00pm departure is advertised to include a trout fishing demonstration. Most people are interested to hear and see how we fish for trout, we don't include it to waste time. The trout we release are either under the legal size limit or not in a good condition to eat. While the carvings are not centuries old, the artistry, skill and what they represent is appreciated by most guests. With the proper care and respect they will still be here for many years. We appreciate your comments and happy that you enjoyed the muffins and information delivered by the skipper.

Donna Thorne from New Zealand wrote on 09 November 2025

Scenic Lake Cruise

From start to finish the cruise was fantastic. Very friendly, knowledgeable staff…..stopped for a fish on the way back & I got to reel a rainbow trout in, but alas it got to live another day as he come up a bit short. Totally recommend doing this cruise if you’re after a bit of leisure time…..they threw in a batch freshly cooked blueberry muffins…..great experience

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From Scenic Māori Rock Carving Cruise - Chris Jolly Outdoors

Thank you for your lovely review, Donna. We are happy you enjoyed the tour!

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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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