Kayak across Lake Taupo in New Zealand to see the impressive Mine Bay rock carvings of Ngātoroirangi. Find tour details and advice for this unique cultural experience.
Lake Taupo kayak tour summary
- Strong winds made the kayak trip challenging but rewarding.
- Matahi Brightwell learned stone-carving alone in the 1970s.
- He carved Ngātoroirangi without tools, suspended from cliffs.
- Guided kayak tours start at NZ$140 per person.
For more information, read on. To book a tour, head here.
Kayaking on Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo on New Zealand’s North Island is feistier than usual. A steadfast wind is blowing up, sending the usually serene waters into nagging chop. It turns what was planned to be a leisurely kayaking trip into a muscular challenge. Tongue out in concentration, I find myself putting my body into every stroke as the spray gives an all-over splashing. They’re the strokes of a Polynesian warrior in a war canoe rather than a tourist on a pleasant afternoon outing.
A sense of fight takes over – battling through nature rather than gliding along with it. And it takes pulling over into a quiet bay for us to be properly able to enjoy the scenery.
The views from Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is the heart of New Zealand’s North Island. Look at a map and it seems as though the island has been built around the lake as a centrepiece. It’s a gorgeous spot, with the soaring volcanoes of Ruapehu and Tongariro looming in the distance on the lake’s far shore.
Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell’s rock carvings at Mine Bay
We are, however, at Mine Bay, where the major attraction is man-made rather than natural. In the late 70s, a carver called Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell came here and decided to use the cliffs as a canvas.
He was a woodcarver, so had to learn the very different techniques of stone carving, and started by altering the rocks by the side of the main cliff. He started off small and gradually got more ambitious, eventually leading to the large rock lizard that sits surveying the scene.
The main Maori rock carving on Lake Taupo
But the major effort took four years, using no measuring tools. The main carving – of Ngatoroirangi, a Maori navigator who brought the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupo a millennium ago – is over 10 metres tall. It’s a phenomenal effort, and in a spot with no land access. He’d have been hanging from the cliff while carving it.
The Mine Bay carvings are all the more special for being one man’s labour of love. And well worth the investment in arm power to get there.
Booking a Lake Taupo Maori rock carvings tour
Half day kayaking tours to the Mine Bay rock carvings with Taupo Kayaking Adventures cost from $NZ145 at the time of writing. Bookings can be made on the Viator site.
Nearby attractions to the Lake Taupo rock carvings
The Mine Bay rock carvings are located on the North Island’s volcanic plateau, surrounded by a range of dramatic geothermal and natural sites.
- Huka Falls: A spectacular set of waterfalls where the Waikato River is forced through a narrow gorge, located just north of Taupō.
- Tongariro National Park: Home to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the world’s most renowned day hikes, featuring three active volcanoes.
- Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave: Known as the “Hidden Valley,” offering a vibrant landscape of geysers, hot springs, and mud pools.
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: Famous for its colourful hot springs, including the Champagne Pool and the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser.
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley: A protected geothermal area that is the world’s youngest geothermal system, created by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886.
FAQ: frequently asked questions about the Mine Bay rock carvings
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are the Mine Bay rock carvings ancient? | No, the main carving of Ngātoroirangi is a contemporary artwork created in the late 1970s by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell and his apprentices, honouring his ancestors and the local Ngāti Tūwharetoa tribe. |
| Is previous kayaking experience required? | No, no prior kayaking experience is necessary. The tours are fully guided, and operators use stable double kayaks, making them suitable for beginners. |
| Can the rock carvings be seen from the shore? | No, the Mine Bay rock carvings are carved into the cliff face at Mine Bay and are only visible from the water via a boat, sailing charter, or guided kayak tour. |
| What should I bring on the kayak tour? | It is recommended to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a water bottle, a towel, and a light windproof jacket. Most operators provide all necessary kayaking equipment. |
If kayaking seems a bit too much like hard work, have a look at the several Lake Taupo cruise options that visit the Mine Bay rock carvings. You can also do a jetboat adventure on the Waikato River from Taupo and visit the world’s coolest McDonald’s.
Other New Zealand kayaking experiences include kayaking around icebergs on Tasman Lake near Mt Cook.
More New Zealand travel ideas
If you’ve enjoyed this story on the Mine Bay Maori rock carvings, there are other New Zealand articles on Planet Whitley. These include:
- A three week New Zealand travel itinerary.
- What to do on the Christchurch to Oamaru drive before seeing the blue penguins.
- Avoiding seasickness on the Stewart Island ferry.
- Sailing an Americas Cup yacht in Auckland.
- The scandalous history of Larnach Castle.
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