Highland Paradise Cultural Centre
Highland Paradise
The remains of an ancient village on the hillside behind Arorangi, where descendants run cultural tours and the 'Island Night' feast and dance show.
Highland Paradise lies on the hillside behind Arorangi village on the west coast. It is the site of the highland village where ancestors of the Tinomana tribe lived before missionaries arrived, and it preserves ancient stone marae (ceremonial platforms), stone stairways and tropical gardens. Daytime cultural tours explain tribal history, ancient rituals and the traditional uses of plants. The evening 'Island Night' show features traditional drumming, grass-skirt dancing, fire dancing and a buffet dinner cooked in an umu (earth oven), with views of the sun setting over the coast. Advance booking is required, and transfers can be arranged.
Opening hours
Daytime tours and dinner shows by reserved time slot
Nearby sights
- Raemaru (Flat Top Mountain) Hike
- Aroa Marine Reserve (Aroa Beach)
- Cross-Island Track (Te Rua Manga)
- Wigmore's Waterfall (Papua Waterfall)
- Black Rock (Tuoro)
- Cook Islands Whale & Wildlife Centre
- Punanga Nui Market
- Takitumu Conservation Area