Avarua & Avatiu Harbour
Avarua / Avatiu Harbour
The waterfront of Avarua, the Cook Islands' capital, where a harbor, bars, craft shops and government buildings line the main street. It is the starting point of the Ring Road.
Avarua is the capital of the Cook Islands, yet it remains a quiet little town. Along the waterfront main street you can browse pearl shops, craft stores, cafés and New Zealand-style supermarkets. Avarua Harbour and Avatiu Harbour to the west are home to fishing boats, cargo vessels and boats that take visitors deep-sea fishing or whale watching. Harbourside bars and restaurants are good places to watch the sea over a fish dinner. The circle-island buses (clockwise and anticlockwise) depart from the main terminal here. Nearby are the Saturday Punanga Nui Market, the old church and Paraotane Palace.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Cook Islands Christian Church, Avarua
- Punanga Nui Market
- Cook Islands Whale & Wildlife Centre
- Arai-Te-Tonga Marae
- Cross-Island Track (Te Rua Manga)
- Raemaru (Flat Top Mountain) Hike
- Takitumu Conservation Area
- Black Rock (Tuoro)