Luring coastal and aquatic attractions and jungle inland experiences have contributed to the Cook Islands growth out of Australia complimented by new developments including resort builds, renovations and expansions amongst hoteliers and activity suppliers.
The Cook Islands is expecting to welcome more Australians than ever before in 2024. Graeme West, GM Australasia Cook Islands Tourism said ‘’The first quarter of 2024 has surpassed any other year, with over 5,000 Australians visiting. The forecast is for this growth to continue, with the next few months already looking very strong. We anticipate that 2024 will be the biggest year ever for the Cook Islands from Australia, with over 33,000 visitors’’.
Contributing to this growth is the ease of getting there – It is only a 6-hour flight non-stop from Sydney on Jetstar, who offer 4 flights per week. Visitors can also transit via Auckland on Jetstar or Air NZ.
Rarotonga is the largest island (although only 32km around) and hosts the international airport. Aitutaki is the next most visited island in the Cooks, famous for her lagoon which is often considered the most beautiful in the world.
DEVELOPMENTS & UPDATES
Jetstar adds a 4th direct Sydney-Rarotonga flight.
Jetstar’s direct service from Sydney to Rarotonga now operates four times a week on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The flight time to Rarotonga is approx. 5.5 hours direct. Jetstar operates an Airbus A321neoLR aircraft departing Sydney at 9.30pm, arriving in Rarotonga at 7.00am the same day. The return flights leave Rarotonga at 9.00am arriving in Sydney at 12.30pm the following day, with connections available to all Australian domestic airports.
Air Rarotonga will provide more seamless connections to and from Aitutaki to complement Jetstar’s Rarotonga flight arrival and departure times.
Supporting the new Jetstar service, Air Rarotonga has added a new flight between Rarotonga and Aitutaki, allowing for same-day connections in both directions for the Jetstar Sydney service, preventing the need for overnight outbound accommodation in Rarotonga when returning to Sydney from Aitutaki.
Aitutaki’s new property – Resort Tava’e
Nestled along the pristine shores of Aitutaki, Resort Tava’e is a brand-new resort, offering 16 poolside rooms, 5 beachfront rooms, and 3 two-bedroom suites. Each room is designed to blend modern comfort with Polynesian charm, providing a serene retreat for travellers. The resort is also set to open a restaurant in May 2024, offering guests a variety of culinary delights in a beachfront dining area, with breathtaking views of the turquoise lagoon.
https://www.resort-tavae.com/
The Aitutaki Day Tour & Vaka Cruise features a spectacular new boat
The award winning Vaka Cruise on Aitutaki has launched a new 25 metre Vaka Teariki Moana boat, offering guests unparalleled comfort on a vessel with nearly twice the deck space per guest of the former boat. The Aitutaki Day Tour includes return flights from Rarotonga to Aitutaki, a six-hour cruise on the iconic Aitutaki lagoon, snorkelling at various spots on the lagoon, and an on-board island buffet lunch and bar service.
https://www.thevakacruise.com/
Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort – New Infinity Pool Villas
Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort has opened their Beachfront Private Infinity Pool Villas, which overlook the waters of Aitutaki Lagoon. These Polynesian-inspired retreats are designed for couples to enjoy privacy and seclusion. Guests step directly from their dining and living room onto their private deck, where they can relax beside their own infinity pool with wide views of the sparkling lagoon beyond. The resort has also re-built the lobby, main pool, and restaurant complex.
https://www.aitutakilagoonresort.com/
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) announce the addition of Pacific Resort Aitutaki to its Considerate Collection
Five-star Pacific Resort Aitutaki joins a community of actively sustainable luxury hotels going the extra eco mile, with the acknowledgement of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) adding the property to their Considerate Collection. The prestigious recognition acknowledges Pacific Resort Aitutaki’s commitment to sustainable practices and contribution to a more environmentally conscious hospitality industry.
New $20million Grand Resort Rarotonga
Construction of a new $20 million Grand Resort is underway in what has been slated as Rarotonga’s first truly five-star property. The complex will be in Arorangi, the western sunset coast side of the island and is set to feature 53 suites, with 100 sqm floor space. Developers anticipate the build to be complete by December 2025.
https://www.grandrarotonga.com/
Expansion of Accessible Rooms at Sunset Resort Rarotonga
Set amidst majestic palm trees, with levelled out expansive lawns and gardens stretching down to a pristine white sand beach, makes Sunset Resort the perfect location for those less mobile to enjoy a resort atmosphere in the Cook Islands. Sunset Resort is expanding their accessible room categories to offer more wheelchair-friendly access. On completion this will include two poolside garden studios and two 2-bedroom poolside suites. Development is expected to be complete by mid-year 2024.
https://www.thesunsetresort.com/
New glass bottom boat with Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes Rarotonga
Captain Tama’s has been cruising Muri Lagoon for the past 32 years. High demand for this activity has seen owners introduce “Te Purotu O Muri” to their fleet, a new 17.5 metre glass bottom boat with comfortable seating for up to sixty people. The new boat features separated glass viewing areas to allow for easy viewing and an expanded space for snorkellers to get on and off the boat.
Aitutaki’s One Foot Island voted a top beach worldwide
One Foot Island, an idyllic beach surrounding a tiny atoll within the Aitutaki lagoon in the Cook Islands has been voted a top beach in the world judged by the globes most well-travelled individuals in the annual World’s 50 Best Beaches list. One Foot Island has the unique feature of a post office where visitors can have their passports stamped with the One Foot Island moniker and send postcards. Tourists can choose to visit the island as part of a day trip around the lagoon, or by private boat where they can be left alone for a few hours.
- – – – – –
Blending the unique natural beauty of crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine beaches, lush rainforests and dramatic volcanic peaks, the Cook Islands boasts some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the South Pacific. For details on how to travel to the Cook Islands see www.cookislands.travel
For flight information and bookings see:
www.jetstar.com
www.airnz.co.nz
