Getting Around

On Rarotonga, mopeds are the popular choice of getting around. There are several car rental agencies on the island with bases at Avarua Town and some of the resorts. Moped rentals are cheap at NZ$55 for four days, or for the same price you could hire a car for one day. Bicycles can be rented for NZ$12 per day. A local scam to get money and ensure insurance is valid is that you must first obtain a Cook Islands driving licence. These can be obtained in about half an hour at the Cook Islands Police Station in Avarua on provision of your home driving license. But, if your license doesn't include motorcycles, you must first take a quick test which no-one fails to pass. The test is free but the license costs NZ$15 and is valid for one year.

Rarotonga is just 20 miles around the island. There are two main roads, the coastal road which is two lanes and pretty quiet or the even quieter old road, slightly inland. This is a great place for exploring and good for cyclists. Buses travel in each direction around the coastal road every hour from 7am to 4pm and resume a less frequent night service until 10pm weekdays, 11pm on Saturdays.

There are only two choices for getting to the outer islands. Air Rarotonga are the only local airline. There are four flights to Aitutaki every day except Sunday, when there are none. There are three flights each week to Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro and Mangaia Flights to all islands take about 45 minutes and cost NZ$350 round trip. The last flight from Rarotonga and first flight back from Aitutaki are usually sold at a discount. An air-pass for three destinations costs NZ$450 and lasts 30 days. Flights to the Northern Group are generally once a week and take from 3 hours costing up to NZ$1000 round trip. Shipping is the alternative way to travel and although substantially cheaper, services are infrequent. Cargo boats to Aitutaki depart from Avatiu Harbour at least once a month, sometimes more depending on demand and cargo needs. The cost is just NZ$65 one way for a cabin which should be pre-booked due to limitations. If you don't get a cabin, you'll be sleeping on deck for the same price. Cargo boats leave roughly once a month to visit Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro. The round trip takes five days, with roughly 4 hours at each port which is enough time to take a quick tour of each island, and costs NZ$150. Boats to the Northern Group are run by demand and take 3-4 days, costing NZ$300 one way.


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