Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise Review: Beautiful Experience Out On The Lake!

Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise was one of the top attractions in the Taupo region. As we had some time in Taupo, we decided to give the cruise a try. Known also as the Ngātoroirangi Maori Rock Carvings, the cruise out on Lake Taupo to view the carvings costs $49 per person and takes approximately 90 minutes. We had a really enjoyable and informative cruise this time. Here’s what we learnt during this Maori Cave Carving Cruise…

Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise Review – An Informative Cruise

Arriving at Taupo Boat Harbour for Lake Taupo Maori Rock Carving Cruise with Chris Jolly

This time, we went with Chris Jolly Outdoors as their website was easy to navigate and payment was rather straight-forward as well. After payment, instructions came to inform us to arrive at which berth for our cruise out this day. We arrived at 1pm for our Lake Taupo Maori Rock Carving Cruise.

Waiting to embark our Lake Taupo Cruise with Chris Jolly at 1pm

While waiting, we headed over to the information counter. There, we found that a trout fishing trip costs $140 per hour with $20 for the trout fishing license. Not really that expensive, especially if you have a group of friends heading out together.

2bearbear at Chris Jolly Lake Taupo Maori Rock Carving Cruise

The cruise started at 1:40pm and we were really glad to have our Captain who took us for the day. Once onboard, we made our way to the upper deck, right next to the skipper…

Taking our seats right next to the Captain on Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise

Our skipper started with an introduction of Lake Taupo where the Waikato River starts. The length of the river is 490km in length and flows in a northerly direction with 9 hydroelectric plants located along the river. Lake Taupo is actually in the crater of a super volcano – Taupo Volcano. The last major eruption took place over a thousand years ago but it is still active. This explains why you’ll find locals and visitors digging into the pebbles along the shore to get create a heated little pool to soak their legs in. We also found out that Lake Taupo is actually about the size of Singapore! That gives a perspective of how huge this crater lake is.

Boats at Taupo Harbour in Lake Taupo for Maori Rock Carving Cruise

Captain giving live narration during Chris Jolly Maori Rock Carving Cruise Lake Taupo

Along the way, we passed by Acacia Bay and Jerusalem Bay next to Lake Taupo…

Acacia Bay and Jerusalem Bay with highly sought after properties next to Lake Taupo

Acacia Bay and Jerusalem Bay as seen on Lake Taupo Maori Rock Carving Cruise

Due to the hills that provide shelter from the prevailing winds, the properties at Acacia Bay and Jerusalem Bay, next to Lake Taupo are highly sought-after. Acacia Bay is named after the trees grown by the missionaries. Jerusalem Bay is today a maori-owned land.

We also found out that Lake Taupo is a self-sustaining trout fishery. Trouts are only allowed to be fished if they are 35cm or larger. Otherwise, they will need to be returned to the lake. In addition, no weights or baits are allowed during fishing. Only artificial flies or lures can be used. In Lake Taupo, the species of trouts include the rainbow trouts from California as well as the brown trouts from Australia.

Soon, we arrived at the maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo…

2bearbear at Maori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupo

There’s also an exclusive gated community with average prices of 5M which includes facilities such as tennis courts and swimming pools. Most of these are rentals. According to our Captain, from the front of the gate, you can actually walk down to the corner rock and do some fishing by the rocks. When we arrived at the Maori Rock Carvings, we were given alot of time to enjoy the views and grab a cup of coffee…

Passengers on Chris Jolly Cruise to Maori Rock Carving on Lake Taupo

Complimentary coffee and tea on Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise

Cruise boat rotates at Maori Cave Carving for all guests to have a view of the carvings

2bearbear with a shot with Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise

To be honest, we were not really attentive to the narration when we were at the maori cave carvings as we were busy snapping photos of the rocks. However, for the history buffs, here’s a little account from Chris Jolly on the Maori Rock Carvings at Lake Taupo:

“The Ngātoroirangi story begins with Te Huatahi Susie Gilbert of Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Susie asked her grandson Matahi Whakataka Brightwell to create a likeness of her ancestor Ngātoroirangi on a totara tree to create a permanent connection for her family to the land. When Matahi arrived in Taupō, there was no totara tree to carve, so he journeyed onto the lake for inspiration and found the rock alcove at Mine Bay. The alcove then became the canvas for one of the most extraordinary contemporary carvings in New Zealand. Ngātoroirangi is surrounded by smaller sculptures depicting tupuna (ancestors) and kaitiaki (guardians). Ngātoroirangi towers 14-metres above Lake Taupō and is regarded as a significant North Island tourist attraction. Ngātoroirangi is a true showpiece of New Zealand’s cultural artistic ability.”

If you’re seeing the carvings for the first time, you might think that the carvings were done a long time ago. However, it is actually done fairly recently between the years of 1978 and 1982. Although the featured photos of the Maori Cave Carvings is usually the face right in the middle of the cave, there are actually many other carvings around the premise as well…

Carvings around Maori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupo

After dwelling at the location for a little bit, we eventually left and were given warm muffins this time which were pretty delicious…

Warm muffins on Chris Jolly Maori Cave Carving Cruise

After muffins, it was a little bit of a trout fishing demonstration before we headed back…

Trout fishing demonstration during Chris Jolly Maori Cave Carving Cruise

The Captain was very experienced and using the sonar, he was able to show that the trouts moved deeper due to the cooler waters of about 14 degrees on the surface. With warmer waters below, the Captain navigated to fish 120ft below the thermocline. True enough, there were 15 trouts shown on the sonar! During the demonstration, the Captain was also able to catch a trout and the kids really enjoyed it!

Trout canape during Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise

Enroute back, the bar was open and the guests were invited to just chill till we get back in harbour…

Open bar on Chris Jolly Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise

Pantry area on Lake Taupo Cruise to Maori Rock Carvings

Deck 1 seats on Maori Cave Carving Cruise Lake Taupo

Kid given the opportunity to steer the boat on the way back from Lake Taupo Maori Rock Carving Cruise

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After the cruise, we think that heading to deck 2 was definitely better. We were able to see the top down views of the carving and fishing. It was also cooler as well as the windows could be drawn. On the other hand, the bar is located at deck 1 with comfortable cushioned chairs. Also, at the front of the lower deck, you can take some really nice shots – which we did as there were sufficient time while the boat stayed near the Maori Cave Carvings.

Overall, we had an excellent cruise with the friendly skipper. Distance to Maori Rock Carving was about 5km and we sailed at 17 knots which took us about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the wind and wave conditions. By the time we returned, it was about 3:10pm, making it right on time for the 90 minutes cruise. If you’re in Taupo and have spare time, do check out the Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise!

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New Zealand North Island Travel Itinerary

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 1: Flying SQ Business Class and Visiting the New SilverKris Lounge!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 2: Arriving in Auckland and Hanging out in Hamilton

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua and Eat Streat in Rotorua

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4: Mud Spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua, Huka Falls, Dixie Browns and Millenium Manuel Hotel Taupo

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 5: Mini Golf, Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise, Cornerstone Taphouse and Steaks at Edgewater Restaurant Taupo!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 6: Mission Estate Winery, Te Awanga Estate, Remutaka Crossing and Hey Day Beer Co Wellington

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 7: Breakfast at Wellington Sea Market, Fork and Brewer Craft Beer, Wellington Museum, Rogue and Vagabond, Shelly Bay Wellywood Sign

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8: Mount Victoria and driving back north to Bulls and Skotel Alpine Resort, Tongariro National Park

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 9: From Skotel Alpine Resort to Tama Lake, Mount Ngauruhoe with views of Mount Ruapehu

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 10: Stopping at Taumarunui enroute to Huhu Chalet and Waitomo Ruakuri Caves!