Carved in the 1970s by one of Aotearoa’s master Māori carvers, the Mine Bay rock carvings are a striking Taupō attraction. They’re also impossible to access on foot, so hop on board a charming replica steamboat and take a scenic cruise out to the carvings instead. Learn all about the history and the myths behind the carvings from your steamboat crew, and along the way enjoy pristine views of Lake Taupō and beyond, including the nearby volcanoes Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.

If the weather’s fine, summer cruisers can even take the chance to swim in Mine Bay
Free coffee, tea and snacks on board – and hot chocolates for the little ones
Upload your photos to Facebook instantly with free WiFi on board
Easy to find departure point near the Taupō visitor center

What's Included

Coffee and/or Tea

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Lake Taupo Cruises
65 Redoubt Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand
Please go to the black Booking Office, 65 Redoubt St Taupo Marina to pick up your boarding pass. The boat is in berth 2, just by the Booking Office. The Booking Office is by the coffee caravan at the Marina.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Maori Rock Carvings

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
Well behaved dogs welcome.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 38 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

589 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 589 reviews

Cruise on Lake Taupo

Kate, Apr 2024

My son was happy to be allowed to sir at the front of the boat and we were Abe to take great photos. Loved the music played. Staff were very helpful.

Boat Splash Rock

Libran_K, Apr 2024

Crusing on this boat Sitting on the outside and a big wave splashed up wetting my shoes I did expect that loved every minute our highlight was visiting the rock thank u.

Worth the money and time.

Cynthia_L, Apr 2024

I like that the boat pilot made sure we all got close enough to see the rock carvings no matter where you sat in the boat. They were knowledgeable about the Maori culture and legends. Worth the money.

Fabulous

nalina_n, Apr 2024

Seeing the carving and experience of the boat ride enjoying the scenery and places that is not visible from land

A must do in Taupo

bea_H, Apr 2024

Weather ,service, and family .Taupo was stunning. We enjoyed 5 magic days. Most enjoyably . We were most impressed with the cleanliness of your city. Fabulous eateries,and bars. I don’t wish to add any more

The best way to explore the lake.

Caroline_A, Mar 2024

Great service, beautiful boat, great crew and just a spectacular experience. Perfect number on board and simply beautiful scenery that could be enjoyed by everyone.

Good boat trip

Catherine_W, Mar 2024

Seeing the carvings up close. It was great to be just about able to touch them Loved been on the old boat as well

Booking confirmation mess

Peter_A, Feb 2024

I booked in November and got a confirmation booking number - flew to NZ from UK drove to Taupo got a final booking confirmation from Viator by e-mail but at the ticket office there was no reservation at all for the boat - luckily they had 2 spare places otherwise my wife and I would have been turned away - completely unacceptable

Boat trip to one sculpted rock

Philip_S, Feb 2024

Boat trip to one sculpted rock - nice boat - travelled on water - quite busy - boat had a chimney - yay

Pleasant

Alexandra_B, Feb 2024

A pleasant boat trip on the largest lake in New Zealand. The staff was friendly, the free hot drinks and cookies a nicr touch. The Maori carvings are the higlights of this trip and a very, very cool thing to see.

Quite wavy on the water,...

Dennis_D, Feb 2024

Quite wavy on the water, but the captain did an amazing job holding the boat so we all had a chance to see the carving. loved the small boat experience and knowledge of Lake Taupo.

Good fun way to see the lake and spend a couple hours

Dan_R, Jan 2024

First off - The staff was SO nice and I’m very supportive of their business. I must have misunderstood WHAT the cruise was- but I can’t be the only one who made this mistake - so I thought I’d leave a review. I was disappointed when we drove an hour, saw the rock for 5 minutes, and drove back for an hour. I didn’t realize it was just ONE rock carving. I just thought there would be more. I just was expecting more from the destination.

Excellent Maori Rock Carvings Trip

Charles_F, Jan 2024

The trip to see the Maori Rock Carvings was highly enjoyable with an excellent, knowledgable crew who made sure we had a smooth passage in slightly choppy waters. On the way out to the carvings we travelled along the far coast of Lake Taupo to see the fabulous houses, properties and beaches. The carvings were really clear and the captain swung the boat round several times so we all got a good look and could take our photos. Tea and coffee were provided and alcoholic drinks available for purchase. All in all a really good trip

Well worth it

Anna_W, Jan 2024

Was beautiful and relaxing, great staff and captain. Carvings was OK but we enjoyed the lake scenery and information about the area 😃

Maori Carving Boat Trip

Lauralyn_J, Jan 2024

The boat trip out to the Maori rock carvings was pleasant even though we were seemingly a full boat. The carving was impressive. The beverages and cookies were unexpected but well received.

Viewing the Maori...

Bruce_D, Jan 2024

Viewing the Maori carvings and listening to the cruise captain's very informative and interesting commentary.

A great way to enjoy the carvings and Lake Taupo!

MariaBeatrice_V, Jan 2024

The cruise is a great way not only to see the Maori carvings, which are truly stunning, but also to take in the scenery from a different perspective, the whole lake and the landscape around it. The boat is comfortable and the staff is very friendly and kind. The captain provides interesting facts on the carvings and the area during the trip.

Amazing photo opportunities

Tracey_W, Dec 2023

Travelling on the Ernest was great. Good commentary, great weather, excellent we were able to purchase beverages on board. The scenery provided great pics and just experiencing lake Taupo was amazing.

Will do it again

Gavin_E, Dec 2023

Very friendly crew and enjoyable cruise to the rocks, lovely boat to go in the lake on. Plenty of time to see the rocks

Great cruise with lovely scenery

Richard_N, Nov 2023

We had a very enjoyable cruise around Lake Taupo culminating with the beautiful Maori carvings. the sceneray was great and the Ernest Kemp was a lovely boat.

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