Page 45 - Explore - Autumn/Winter 2019

Another good thing to do is hire a car. There at the end. It's a great spot for a beer or a the currency in Niue is the New Zealand dollar
really isn't any public transport (there is a taxi) wine and a dip at the beach. and there is a Kiwibank branch but no ATMs. A
but you will be able to explore the island in full number of places take credit cards and EFTPOS
with a car. Just don't do what I did and drive • Matapa Chasm. This is another great spot for but remember to take plenty of cash with you.
with the handbrake on. It wasn't until I could swimming and it is stunningly beautiful. English is widely spoken and you won’t have a
smell burning rubber that I realised. The car was • Palaha Cave has amazing colours and hard time being understood. The Niuean people
okay, thank goodness. stalactites and stalagmites. There is a rope are also genuinely friendly and there are about
to hang on to and we found it easier to 1,500 residents on the island, of whom about 800
The roads are paved in Niue and a drive around were there when we visited during the
the island with stops along the way is a great explore barefooted. quiet season.
way to spend an afternoon. Just beware the • Togo Chasm is a must-do walk and the
potholes, which are many and varied and in landscape is quite surreal. It is a more As I have mentioned there is no shortage of
some areas it is more like navigating an obstacle challenging walk with a near-vertical ladder activities to do in Niue, with the natural scenery
course than a road. climb at the end but it is worth it. Wear being the biggest attraction of all. You can play
sensible walking shoes for this one. golf and minigolf, go bowling, go on a tour,
Because Niue is a raised coral atoll, it is snorkel, dive, swim, go fishing, go caving, biking
like few other islands in the Pacific. It has a or just relax. We really enjoyed the snorkelling
stunning geography made up of rugged and Washaway Café is only and just exploring the island, seeing little skinks
rocky terrain, with hidden caves and coves open on Sundays and works with their blue tails, and geckos and chickens –
around every corner. And it is one of the few so, so many chickens – plovers, terns, and I think
places in the world where you can swim with on an honesty system: you I spotted some red-tailed tropicbirds which I got
whales in the amazingly clear water. If you like write down what you have excited about. Also crabs: big crabs climbing
snorkelling, swimming, diving, walking and trees (!) right down to little crabs in shells. Lots
exploring then Niue is great to visit. Some of taken and pay at the end. It’s and lots of crabs. And fish in a huge variety of
our highlights were: a great spot. colours, and some sea snakes.
• The Limu Pools. This place is beautiful and Driving around the island, negotiating the
even though the tides were a bit rough There are lots of places to eat on the Island potholes, exploring the sea tracks and walking
during our stay we managed to get some too. We checked out the restaurant at Scenic along the reefs, getting the car down tiny tracks
snorkelling in. Matavai, The Crazy Uga for coffee and also and roads and then relaxing with a cocktail at the
Washaway Café, Hio Café, Falala Fa Café & Bar, end of the day where we caught up with the travel
• Avatele Beach. Check out the Washaway and Gill’s Indian. We stocked up on supplies from stories of other visitors to the islands, made for
Café while you are there. It is only open on Swanson Supermarket which has pretty much a great ten days. Would I go back? Yes, I would.
Sundays and works on an honesty system: everything you would need and is located in And whale season would be an absolute bucket
you write down what you have taken and pay the main township. And speaking of shopping, list experience.

Tori Maxwell, Travel Consultant at helloworld Travel Lambton Quay, Wellington, shares advice
about getting the most out of visiting Niue, the “Rock of Polynesia”.

HELLOWORLD TRAVEL : EXPLORE : AUTUMN/WINTER EDITION 43