Kayaking to the Māori Rock Carvings in Taupō: A DIY Adventure Guide

Planning to kayak to the Māori Rock Carvings in Taupō but not sure where to start? We get it – there’s something really appealing about heading out on your own terms, especially if you’re like us and lean more towards doing things the DIY way.

We didn’t want a guide, a schedule, or a group to keep up with. Just us, a couple of paddles, and the calm (well, mostly calm) waters of Lake Taupō.

This ended up being one of the best decisions we made during our New Zealand road trip – not just for the views but for the experience itself. 

Doing it ourselves made the whole thing feel more rewarding. Here’s exactly how we made it happen, what you can expect, and a few things we’d do differently next time.

We partnered with Taupō Kayaking Adventures for this trip and were given complimentary kayak hire in exchange for photos and this review, but all opinions here are our own – and we wouldn’t recommend them if we didn’t genuinely love the experience.

What Are the Lake Taupō Māori Carvings?

This isn’t just a pretty cliff with some etchings – it’s a full-on, 14-metre high carved face of Ngātoroirangi, a revered Māori navigator and high priest who played a pivotal role in Māori migration stories.

Carved in 1980 by artist Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell, this massive face is surrounded by smaller carvings of ancestors and guardians, blending contemporary art with traditional cultural storytelling.

You won’t find anything else quite like it in New Zealand – and because it’s only accessible by water, there’s something a bit magical about the effort it takes to get there.

Where Are the Māori Carvings?

The carvings are located in the cliffs of Mine Bay, on the northern shores of Lake Taupō.

While they’re technically only about 11km from the town by road, there’s no access by land. You either paddle there or go by boat. Trust us – seeing that enormous carved face emerge as you turn the final corner in your kayak? Feels like something straight out of an adventure film.

Our Experience Kayaking to the Carvings

We started out from Acacia Bay with double kayaks hired from Taupō Kayaking Adventures.

Since they’re located closer to the carvings than other companies in Taupō itself, it meant we had a shorter distance to paddle and could spend more time enjoying the carvings rather than racing the clock.

I’ll be honest – this was my first time in a kayak and I’m not a strong swimmer, so I was definitely nervous. But Lisa, our guide for the safety briefing, completely put me at ease. She showed me how to exit the kayak if needed (thankfully it wasn’t!) and reassured me the doubles were incredibly stable.

Once we set off, we had the freedom to go at our own pace. The route takes you past several small bays – great if you want to zig-zag along the shore – but we opted to cut across open water.

In calm conditions, it was peaceful and stunning. We even saw a Pied Cormorant catching crayfish right next to our kayak!

It took just over an hour to get there, and although it wasn’t a difficult paddle, my arms definitely felt it.

We moored up in a little nook just past the carvings and climbed onto the rocks for a rest, snacks, and photos. I even gave solo paddling a go while Dec snapped a few shots.

We stayed for about 90 minutes, waving at a few surprised tourists who arrived by boat – most didn’t expect to see anyone else already there, let alone people without a boat crew.

If the carvings get too busy (or you just fancy a bit more solitude), there’s a nearby pebble beach that looks perfect for a picnic or sunbathing.

The paddle back was rougher – the wind picked up and the water turned choppy, which made things a bit harder on the stomach. It took nearly two hours to get back, but even with the weather turning on us, it was completely worth it.

DIY vs Guided Tours

If you like a challenge and want to do things at your own pace, self-hiring is the way to go. It’s cheaper, quieter, and more rewarding. 

That said, if you’re short on time or not confident paddling, the guided tours are solid too. They come with commentary, snacks, and the added bonus of someone else handling the navigation.

How Do Private Kayak Hires Work?

When hiring a kayak from Taupō Kayaking Adventures there are several options to choose from.

They’re set out in time slots, so if you’re wanting to visit the carvings you’ll need at least 4 hours if you want to see them properly or nip to the beach and not be racing to get back in time.

This will cost you $45-$100, depending on which kayak you choose.

It’s best to arrive early for your booking to ensure you have plenty of time for your safety chat and to ask any questions you might have.

No experience is necessary for kayaking on Lake Taupo, because Lisa and her team are very thorough in explaining everything you need to know

 However, I personally think you need to be somewhat confident in your own ability to swim to shore if you do tip over.

Once you’ve had the safety briefing you’ll be provided with everything you need to enjoy being on the water including a lifejacket, splash cover if you choose a sit-in kayak and a map to help you reach Mine Bay.

The only thing you’ll need to take with you is a waterproof jacket, snacks and a camera! We took our Canon EOS R in a waterproof bag and the go-pro on its chest harness.

Then that’s it, the waters all yours!

Final Thoughts

Kayaking to the Māori Rock Carvings was hands down one of our favourite activities in Taupō. It’s a great mix of culture, scenery, and challenge – plus it’s affordable and easy to do on your own terms. If you’re even slightly tempted, book it.

Lisa and the team at Taupō Kayaking Adventures made us feel completely safe and looked after, and their location just around the corner from Mine Bay makes it the ideal launch point – especially if you’re a beginner like I was.

Whether you’re paddling for the first time or a seasoned pro, this is one of those adventures that sticks with you long after your arms stop aching.