Sina & Rieke’s Niuean Adventure

Getting around the Island

The best way to explore the Island is to rent a car. It takes about 30mins by car from the very south to the north of the island. If you're staying at Matavai Resort, which is the most upmarket accommodation (4 stars) in Niue, the staff can organise a car for you without any issues, apart from the fact they will have to pay for a Niuen driver’s licence (NZ$22.50). The speed limit is 40km/h in towns and 60km/h on the open road.  Like both New Zealand and Australia they drive on the left side of the road.

What makes Niue Special?

It is a place more suited to the adventurous or for people who love nature, including kids over 10 years as some of the hiking tracks are very dangerous, and you CAN’T walk them without sturdy shoes AND water.

Niue does not have beaches but rocky shores with plunging drop offs into the ocean. Niue is a very simple place, it only has a couple of supermarkets, restaurants and accommodation. Sometimes you think you are the only person on the island and after one week you probably will know nearly every person on the street. So we think one week is about the right amount of time to spend on the island. 

What to do in Niue

Niue is an amazingly safe place, the people are friendly and you will be impressed by the beauty of the caves, its reef flats, the chasms and the rock pools resting against the incredible turquoise ocean.. There is also a high possibility to spot humpback whales during July and October - (diving with them is an option). Niue offers a variety of things to do and most of them are free. As already mentioned there are a lot of caves, chasms, sea tracks, cycling tracks, lookouts and the best places for snorkeling, scuba diving and whale watching.

Where to stay on Niue

Niue Backpackers: Alofi central, no pool, no air conditioning, rooms are very simple, but for a backpacker absolutely fine, just $25 a night, usually no mixed bedrooms, Ira (owner) was super friendly and she showed us nice places on where to go, accommodation is above the yacht club and Ira is usually in there, you can buy a few cold drinks, they don’t offer tours but will definitely help if someone wants to do a tour

Namukulu Cottages & Spa: About 10 min drive by car to Alofi, a lovely silent place with a great view to spot some whales, best for families with kids older than 10 years,  Spa & Massage treatments, 4 huge dogs, they have a pool, the view from the rooms is not really special, but also nice, the owners are friendly and take care of everything, no restaurant or bar area, they don’t offer tours, very close to Limu Pools (best snorkel place) and nice caves

Stone Villas: Close to Alofi (about 3mins by car), no air conditioning, but fans (you don’t need an air con though, because it is pretty cool as villas is built of lime stone), the two Units are wonderful and charming (we loved it!), no views (villas are in the bush), very separated and nice for couples, you have everything you might need there and the rooms are nice, owner was very friendly, self-contained Unit, they don’t offer tours

Restoration Reef: Alofi central, STUNNING view (house in the rocks with own walkway to a viewing platform) over the cliffs and the sea, absolutely amazing and ideal for younger couples and honeymooners (as walkway to viewing platform is a bit dangerous, not a place for children or older people), booking needs to be done early enough, simple room but with ocean view, no pool, no air con, owner very friendly, self-contained Unit, don’t offer tours. 

Matavai Resort:

About 10 mins by car to Alofi, 2 pools, air conditioning in every room, rooms are nice and spacious, it is the most luxurious accommodation in Niue, view from bar terrace just amazing and probably the best place to stay in the evening, nice restaurant – they offer 2 times a week ‘special dinners’ (one night ‘barbeque’ and the other night ‘buffet with a cultural show’),  staff is very friendly and take care of every guest (organised our car and our tours), pool bar, restaurant and bars also open for people who are not staying at the Matavai, welcome drink and cocktail, orientation tour is included (tour guide has a lot of knowledge, he built the resort and was once the owner), people will have everything they need, great for couples and families, offer snorkel gear, dive shop is close.

For some place completely unique and unspoit, it's hard to beat Niue.

You can set your watch to "Island time", kick back, disconnect, and feel the world melt away. If you want help organising your trip or adding on to a New Zealand visit then chat to our Travel Specialists - they'll listen to your dream-trip must-do's and build an itinerary that's tailor-made to your desires.