Rarotonga Cook Islands is a volcanic island about 26 sq. miles - small enough to cycle around in a day. With accommodation in other regions being limited, and flights to them being expensive, Rarotonga can't help to be a tourist trap. It is, never-the-less, an extremely beautiful island with lush tropical rainforest, lots of gorgeous and even secluded beaches, pretty coastal scenes and a slow and charming pace of life.
Accommodation and villages and strung out along the circular coastal road with more villages and family plantations along the ara metua, an ancient road about a kilometer inland. The north coast is a good base with access to Avarua Town, shops, restaurants and bars. Accommodation here is better value for money although there is no beach. The east coast, notably Muri Beach, is the premier beach destination, with a few uninhabited islets within the lagoon although the area is somewhat overcrowded with accommodation. The south coast has lovely beaches, stunning mountain views and is a lot more intimate, although there are very few restaurants here. Finally, the west coast has the second highest concentration of accommodation with long sweeping wind-protected beaches, the 9-hole golf course and lovely sunsets.
There are lots of very attractive churches, a few ancient marae (stone foundations) and lots of small family plantations growing taro (a root crop) in swampy fields. This is a great place for exploring by foot or bike. Tourist attractions including a cultural museum in Avarua Town, a working Cultural Village on the west coast and botanical gardens on the South Coast. There are lots of organised day tours around the island including 4WD Safari adventures into the interior, walking tours into the Takitumu Nature Reserve to more sedate circle island bus tours. Snorkelling tours are offered along the south east coast and there are micro-flights and sailing tours for the more adventurous. Four scuba diving operators are based on the island.
Rarotonga Tour Companies
Buses travel around the circular coastal road every hour or so in both directions and can be flagged down. Fares are not cheap at NZ$2.50 for a single ride but multi-pass and family tickets are a cost effective alternative. Bicycles and mopeds are available for hire in Avarua, at all the large resorts, most of the guesthouses and at other places along the road. This is the local style of travel (helmets are optional) giving you complete freedom. There are good week deals for mopeds (about NZ$100) although to hire one, you must first obtain a driving license (cost NZ$15) from the police station in Avarua. It is just about possible to walk around the island in a day although this would be quite exhausting and rather pointless.
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
|
