Paradise is closer and more affordable than you think – it’s time to travel to Rarotonga
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Ever gone in search of paradise and surprised at what you’ve found? Giant hotels dwarfing beautiful beaches, black volcanic sand or maybe even boredom?
Paradise is a promise that’s not always as perfect as Instagram leads you to believe.
Yet, there is a lesser known destination right on our doorstep that is guaranteed to fulfil the tropical paradise of your dreams. And the promise of paradise is that little more dreamy in knowing that Jetstar fly there direct from Sydney three days a week and the starting price is only $279 each way.
This marooned South Pacific paradise is the Cook Islands, and whilst you may have never heard of it, it’s only a six-hour flight away and offers the whitest of beaches, rugged jungle mountains and vibrant Polynesian culture.
With a wide range of styles of accommodation and activities, we recommend spending your time on the main island of Rarotonga.
Where to stay
With a regulation that states that no building can be taller than a coconut palm, what you won’t find in the Cook Islands are monolithic hotel chains. And with restrictions on who can own land in the Cook Islands, you won’t actually find any multinational hotel chains either.
What you will find are bungalows and boutique hotels scattered on quiet beaches, places where you can watch the locals fish on the reef at low tide, where you can wander into the always warm water, and end the day with a peaceful Mai Tai with the sunset.
Immerse yourself in a bungalow experience at Palm Grove. Their 22 self-contained bungalows are scattered through five acres of gardens, including bungalows with absolute beach frontage. There is also a private villa for larger families and garden studios for those wanting to spend a little less.
Rooms at Palm Grove start at around $220 per night.
For a boutique luxury getaway, the five star, award winning Little Polynesian is the place to be. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Little Polynesia has 14 bungalows in an adults only setting. It’s chic, it’s peaceful and it’s the sort of place you’re not going to forget in a hurry.
Rooms at the Little Polynesian start at around $650 per night.
Getting around
Rarotonga is circumnavigated by one primary ring road that will take you all the way around and back to where you started, and the best thing is, the 32 kilometre loop is dotted with cafes, bakeries, ice creameries, gardens and some of the best beaches in the world.
You have a few choices for transportation around the island. Local buses run in both directions on a seemingly never-ending loop and you can jump aboard each time they pass by, roughly once an hour.
If you don’t want to be governed by the buses, we recommend hiring a little car. Your Australian car licence is accepted but if you want to grab a scooter and you don’t have the appropriate Australian motorbike licence, you’ll need to head to the local Police Station to complete a theory and practical test.
A hire car will set you back around $100 a day.
With your car and freedom secured you can tootle round the outer ring road for all the main tourist attractions and places to eat or you can head to the inner road and enjoy local life.
What to do
For a tiny dot in the South Pacific, Rarotonga packs in the fun. All of your usual water activities are available, including snorkelling right off the beach, paddleboards, glass bottom boats, diving, lagoon cruises and fishing. And with the island’s rugged mountain interior and Polynesian culture, Rarotonga offers a surprising diversity of fun activities.
Head into the mountains with Raro Safari Tours for a half day 4 x 4 safari adventure and discover sweeping views, waterfalls and Rarotonga’s wilderness.
Discover the local flora and fauna with local personality Birdman George. He’ll lead you down ancient trails, immerse you in the endangered bird species they are working to save and take you on a picnic lunch. It’s a great way to connect with a knowledgeable local and see more than just beach life.
For a family friendly evening activity, join a Polynesian feast and experience the local Polynesian dance and fire shows with Takurua.
When to visit
With warm and sunny weather year-round, there really isn’t a bad time to visit the Cook Islands. The dry and cooler season is from April to November and offers average temperatures of 26 degrees. The hotter wetter months are December to March where generally brief tropical rains descend on Rarotonga once or twice a day, still making it a good time to visit.
I want more!
Once you’ve spent some time in the Cook Islands, you’ll want to come back. It’s the kind of paradise that stays with you. And there’s more to the Cooks than just Rarotonga, so on your next visit consider the breath-taking Aitutaki, famously the favourite destination of the very well travelled Getaway host Catriona Rowntree.
Or for the more adventurous there are 13 other islands with varying levels of accessibility via boats and planes, all of which offer to maroon you in a South Pacific paradise you may never want to leave.
