Things to do in Rarotonga & The Cook Islands
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Cook Island Christian Church
The CICC is a fine old white-coral building, much in the same mould as other CICCs in the Cooks. It was built in 1853, when Aaron Buzacott was the resident missionary. The interesting graveyard around the church is worth a leisurely browse. At the front you'll find a monument to the pioneering Polynesian missionary, Papeiha.
Just to the left (as you face the church) is the grave of Albert Henry, the first prime minister of the independent Cook Islands. You can't miss it - it's the one with a life-size bust of the man himself. Other well-known people buried here include author Robert Dean Frisbie. Travellers are welcome to attend services.
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Beachcomber Gallery
One of the best arts and crafts galleries on the island, the Beachcomber Gallery has a great selection of jewellery, carvings, pearls, craftwork and paintings locally sourced in the islands. You can sometimes visit the workshop behind the main building to see how the black-pearl jewellery and shell carvings are made.
This large gallery occupies a building constructed in 1845 as a Sunday school. The building was on the verge of ruin before its restoration in 1992 - you can clearly see where the new roof sits on top of the old walls (though quite where the present Renaissance theme came from is anyone's guess).
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Aitutaki Lagoon
Aitutaki's marvellous lagoon, dotted with sand bars, coral ridges and 21 uninhabited motu (lagoon islets), is colourful and full of life. Maina Motu offers great snorkelling on the coral formations near its shore and around large powder-white sand bars. Tapuaeta'i (One Foot Island) has a lovely white stretch of beach and brilliant, pale-turquoise water.
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Anatakitaki
The most famous of the many caves on 'Atiu, which is riddled with limestone caverns complete with stalactites and stalagmites, is Anatakitaki, also known as the 'Kopeka Cave'. A hauntingly large and beautiful cave, it is the home of the kopeka, a rare bird, similar to a swift, which lives only on 'Atiu. You must visit with a local guide.
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Muri Beach
Muri Beach, on Muri's lagoon on the southeast side of the island, is particularly beautiful. The shallow water has a sandy bottom dotted with countless sea cucumbers and some coral formations. Out towards the reef are four small islets or motu: Taakoka, Koromiri, Oneroa and Motutapu. Taakoka is volcanic; the others are sand cays.
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Sir Geoffrey Henry National Culture Centre
Conceived by former prime minister Sir Geoffrey Henry, the National Culture Centre comprises six cultural divisons: the National Auditorium, the National Museum, the National Library, the National Archives, Performing Arts, and the Anthropology Unit. A number of government ministries are also based here.
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Whatever Bar & Grill
Who’d have thought – an open-air bar on a disused rooftop? Perched just off the main road out of Avarua, this is a great place that attracts trendy young things and gets lively on Friday and Saturday nights. There are DJs and the Whatever Stringband is always fun on Wednesdays. The night-time views across town and the harbour are brilliant, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.
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Vaima Restaurant & Bar
This family-run restaurant, in the island’s south, is one of Rarotonga’s best and well worth making a booking. The dining room has a tasteful island décor that features local artworks, a beachfront patio and breezy outside terrace. An evening meal here, with the sunset, a chilled NZ sauvignon blanc and sumptuous Pacific cuisine, is a memorable Rarotongan experience.
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Tokerau Jim
With a small store and workshop in Matavera, Tokerau Jim does beautiful and incredibly fine carvings on pearls and pearl shell.
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Tamarind House
Sue Carruthers, Rarotonga’s top chef, made her reputation with the Flame Tree, but has since fitted out this sweeping colonial-style building on the island’s north shore. Book a table on the grand veranda and enjoy the cool evening breeze and some outstanding food – an inspired fusion of European, Asian and islander flavours. There’s a good wine list, smart professional service and an elegant South Seas atmosphere.
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Staircase Restaurant & Bar
Upstairs behind the Topshape Health & Fitness Centre building, the Staircase is always popular. The bar’s decked out with atmospheric island decor and has regular live bands and DJs, as well as goodvalue island nights on Thursday and Friday.
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Rehab
Rehab is the ‘fun clinic’ – dance and trance-techno grooves thump’ n’ bump under ultraviolet and stroboscopic lights. For clubbers who like to move it, move it.
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Raviz
Rarotonga’s only Indian restaurant is the real deal, popular with locals and visitors alike. Have your Madras fish curry, chicken tikka or lamb korma done just the way you like it.
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Rarotonga Sailing Club
Muri Lagoon and the island’s south coast are the best places for swimming, windsurfing, sailing and kayaking.The Rarotonga Sailing Club rents out kayaks and small sailing boats.
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Mike Tavioni
You can visit the workshop of Rarotonga’s most renowned sculptor and carver, on the back road near Avarua. See his stone carvings at the Punanga Nui Market and the National Culture Centre.
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Hideaway Bar
As its name suggests, the Hideaway is tucked away and is pretty small. On busy weekend nights everyone crams in to check out the live bands, and there are usually DJs a couple of nights a week.
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Fruits of Rarotonga
Homemade jams and tropical-flavoured chutneys are divine at this little shop opposite Tikioki beach, but it’s good for smoothies, cakes and fruit juices too.
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Fisher’s Fishin’ Tourz
Deep-sea fishing is popular in the Cook Islands, with catches of mahimahi fish and tuna (from October to May), wahoo and barracuda (April to October), and sailfish and marlin (November to March). This operator has safety gear - contact them by telephone or down atthe Avatiu wharf where the boats tie up.
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Café Salsa
This trendy café/restaurant is more Auckland-chic than Polynesian, and one of Avarua’s hottest spots for lunch. There’s a varied menu and huge specials board; dishes range from spinach, feta and pawpaw salads and Cajun-style chicken to wood-fired pizzas.
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Aramoana Fish & Chips
Fresh fish and chips beside Avatiu Harbour. Aramoana also sells fresh and smoked fish for your meals self-catering pleasure.
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