MELBOURNE TO AUCKLAND

Welcome to our holiday to the beautiful Cook Islands. With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel to Melbourne Airport. Here we’ll be greeted by an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Director who will assist us with check in and see us onto the plane for our flight to Auckland. Arriving at Auckland Airport, we will collect our bags and walk to our overnight accommodation at the Novotel Auckland Airport Hotel which is directly across the street from the International Airport—approximately a one minute walk.  We’ll enjoy dinner together then off to bed as we have an early start tomorrow morning.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments on flight

OVERNIGHT:  Novotel Auckland Airport, AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND TO RAROTONGA

Up early for breakfast this morning before we depart the hotel for our ongoing flight from Auckland to Rarotonga. After crossing the International Date Line, we arrive in Rarotonga Monday 2nd September 2024!! We go through customs and will be warmly greeted “Kia Orana” by a representative from The Edgewater Resort & Spa. We will be transferred to the resort to begin our Cook Island experience in a true South Pacific Paradise! Checking straight into our Beachfront Deluxe rooms, we can freshen up before enjoying our welcome dinner. Nestled on the sheltered west coast of Rarotonga, the resort’s prime location ensures the island’s natural splendour is front and centre with palm trees and white sandy beaches overlooking the deep blue lagoon and surrounded by lush green mountains. Offering spacious accommodation, two in-house restaurants, a bar, swimming pool, two full-size tennis courts, games room, day spa, hair salon and shop, The Edgewater Resort & Spa truly has it all!

Lunch and refreshments on flight

OVERNIGHT: The Edgewater Resort & Spa, RAROTONGA

A RELAXING START

Following a delicious tropical breakfast, we commence our Resort Orientation with a tour of the resort where we will be introduced to the activities and features available to us throughout our stay.  This afternoon is free to enjoy—relax, perhaps take a dip in the pool or the sea, take a walk through the gardens or along the beach.  Other activities include: snorkelling in the marine reserve filled with tropical fish, hand feeding the reef fish, tennis, guided village and nature walks and much more.  Later we meet by the pool for Welcome Cocktails at Sunset followed by dinner at a Taste of Italy in the South Pacific at the resort.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: The Edgewater Resort & Spa, RAROTONGA

DISCOVER RAROTONGA

This morning, we are introduced to Rarotonga’s historical & scenic sites! Visit places of interest for things to see and do during your stay on Rarotonga.  Learn all about the growth & cultivation of the black pearls. Enjoy special demonstrations of unique aspects of Cook Islands life. Watch and learn about the fascinating culture from an informative tour guide. This afternoon, we return to the resort where, once again, we have some free time.  Tonight we indulge in an Island Feast and Show.

OVERNIGHT: The Edgewater Resort & Spa, RAROTONGA

HIGHLAND PARADISE TOUR

We start our day with a visit to one of the islands local schools. Reliant on fundraising and donations for books and equipment, we'll have the chance to meet and spend time with the children and teachers. Next we head off on a half-day Highland Paradise Tour known as “Footprints of our Ancestors”, where we discover magnificent King Tinomana’s life story and hidden mountain village. Brought to life by his descendants, the knowledgeable and entertaining guides will showcase their spiritual past and present, sharing ancient legends and practices. We also visit the village of Tinomana Enuarurutini Ariki, who left the settlement during the 1830’s when he and his people converted to Christianity. Some highlights of the tour are the Ancient Sacred Marae, Navigator’s Rock and the Maugaroa Learning Centre which features a fantastic collection of historical and contemporary artefacts.  Later this afternoon we return to the resort to enjoy the complimentary activities, relax in your room, by the pool, or in the games lounge. Tonight we enjoy dinner at Tamarind House, Rarotonga’s delightful eatery, owned by former Flame Tree restaurateur and cookbook author, Sue Carruthers, housed in a colonial building on the Pacific Ocean foreshore at Tupapa.

OVERNIGHT: The Edgewater Resort & Spa, RAROTONGA

KOKA LAGOON CRUISE AND PROGRESSIVE DINNER

After another delicious breakfast buffet, prepare to be entertained and educated by the multi talented crew as we board Koka Lagoon Cruises. Listen to island stories in typical Cook Island humour as we float over Rarotonga’s lagoons. Witness the coral paradise through the glass bottomed boat or take the plunge and snorkel up close with the fish. We cruise to an uninhabited motu (islet) and indulge in a delicious barbecue lunch over an open fire. After a day of laughter, music and marine life, we return to the resort, where once again, we can take part in one of the complimentary activities or relax by the pool.  This evening we enjoy a progressive dinner which is a great opportunity to meet and chat with the locals!

PUNANGA NUI MARKET

Today we head off to enjoy the shopping and atmosphere at Punanga Nui Market near the waterfront next to Avarua. Here you’ll find a wide range of island gifts and handicrafts, black pearls, pearl shell jewellery, pareu fabrics, clothing, local music and fresh local produce. This is the perfect opportunity to purchase lasting mementos and unique Island gifts for loved ones. It’s also a great place to sample homemade delicacies, or pass the time meeting and chatting with the locals. Back at the resort, the rest of the day is free to enjoy the resort facilities or perhaps take yourself on the clockwise or anti-clockwise bus into the main shopping centre of Rarotonga for some last minute souvenirs or perhaps that black pearl you had your eye on!  Tonight we enjoy dinner at the resort.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement 

OVERNIGHT:  The Edgewater Resort & Spa, RAROTONGA

LOCAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH

After breakfast we visit an historic local church which is sure to be a moving experience as we listen to the harmonies of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) soar as they sing their hymns within the beautiful limestone and coral church. We then enjoy morning tea with the local congregation. After a wonderful morning, we head back to the resort and have a free afternoon to indulge in the resort’s optional and complimentary activities, including snorkelling in the marine reserve filled with tropical fish, hand feeding the reef fish, tennis, or take a guided nature and village walk. Or you might prefer to make use of the beach towels and sun loungers and relax by the pool. This evening we enjoy a BBQ Under the Stars with live entertainment from resident Ru’s Band.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: The Edgewater Resort & Spa, RAROTONGA

RAROTONGA TO AUCKLAND

After our final tropical breakfast, we pack our bags and check out at 10.00am. We will have lunch at the resort before heading to the airport for our flight to Auckland. We arrive on Tuesday 10th September, after crossing back over the International Date Line. 

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Upon our arrival, we walk to our overnight accommodation where we enjoy our last 

dinner together as a group, before returning to our room for a good night sleep before an early morning departure.

OVERNIGHT:  Novotel Auckland Airport, AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND TO MELBOURNE

After an early breakfast, we make our way to Auckland Airport for our return flight to Melbourne. Upon clearing customs and bidding farewell to our friends, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us home with many interesting stories to tell of the Idyllic Cook Islands.

Refreshments inflight