Niue Family Itinerary: 5 Days

© NiuePocketGuide.com

How to Get Around Niue in 5 Days

Niue is one island with 123 km (76 mi) of paved roads and no public transport… For this reason, and the reason that attractions are spread out across the island, we strongly recommend hiring a car to make the most out of your family getaway to Niue.

Family Car Rental in Niue

A range of vehicles are available for hire in Niue, from family SUVs to station wagons. Get advice on hiring a car in What You Need to Hire a Car in Niue. Note, you will need to purchase a Niue Driver’s License to drive in Niue, which you can get from the Police Station.

For alternative transport in Niue, see the 11 Ways to Get to (& Around) Niue. Plus, compare the most popular methods in Should You Rent a Car or a Bicycle in Niue?

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 1 – Arrive in Niue

Travel time: 5-10 minutes drive.

Fakaalofa Lahi Atu! Welcome to Niue, your home for the next five days! On arrival at Hanan International Airport, go through the airport customs, collect your baggage and go through the quarantine process as explained in Everything You Need to Know About Arriving in Niue.

Once you’re outside of the arrival area, head to the kiosk of your chosen rental company to pick up your rental car and go through the car inspection process. Alternatively, if you have organised airport transfers with your accommodation, a representative will be standing at a kiosk or with a sign stating their accommodation. Wherever you’re staying on the island, it will be a short drive to your accommodation.

Family Accommodations in Niue

• Scenic Matavai Resort
• Scenic Matavai Apartments & Villa
• Namukulu Cottages
• Heleni Jessop’s Fatahega
• Stone Villas
• Tuaga Lodge
• Lalopine Rockhouse
• Taloa Heights
• Yolos Accommodation
• Aleki Guesthouse
• Lialagi Dorm & Units
• Kaliki Lodge
• Joema Place
• Lolani’s Retreat

For more details on our top recommendations, see the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Niue.

Dining and Self-Catering in Niue

Most accommodation on the island is self-catering, where we recommend picking up supplies on your way from the airport. There is the Swanson Supermarket just outside of the airport. Alternatively, there are a few grocery stores in Alofi. Find out more about self-catering in The Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Niue.

If you prefer eating out tonight, check out the recommendations in the 20 Best Restaurants in Niue. Alternatively, book a table at Kaiika (Alofi) for fresh Japanese cuisine for Mum and Dad and pizzas for the kids.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

Day 2 – Explore Alofi

Travel time: 5-15 minutes drive.

While other visitors are rushing to the island’s popular attractions, we recommend taking it easy and getting acquainted with the main town of Niue, Alofi. This will allow you to see what services and restaurants are available, as well as book tours through the Visitor Information Centre.

It’s not all about the practicalities though, as you’ll still have the day to enjoy some of Alofi’s highlights, from various sea tracks and swimming holes to a museum!

Things to Do in Alofi with Kids

• Get some beach time and do a reef walk at the Utuko Reef
• Snorkel in the rock pools and discover the cave on the Vaila Sea Track
• Visit the Fale Tau Taoga (Niue National Museum)
• Check out the vaka (canoes) and rocky coastline on the Opaahi Sea Track
• Explore the rockpools on the Togalahi Sea Track
• Check out a tiny but cute swimming hole on the Togalupo Sea Track.

For more details and more activities, check out the 20 Best Things to Do in Niue with Kids!

Dining Recommendations

While you’re in Alofi, be sure to check out some of the fantastic restaurants and cafes. See The Best Places to Eat in Alofi for recommendations. For lunch, delight in paninis, fish and chips and salads in a rustic clifftop setting at the Crazy Uga Cafe. For dinner, discover the Indian cuisine of the Vanilla Cafe or, if you have fussy eaters, Buk Buk Chicken behind the Commercial Centre is a good backup.

© Niue Tourism

Day 3 – Explore the East Coast

Travel time: 1 hour – 2 hrs 30 mins drive.

Today is Sunday and a day of rest in Niue, so be prepared to do something independently, such as exploring the glorious east coast of the island.

Get your Niue map, that you no doubt have picked up from your accommodation or the Visitor Information Centre, and hit the road! There are points of interest to check out every 10 to 20 minutes on the east coast road, including the Anapala Chasm, Togo Chasm, the Laufoli Umu Pit, Hikulagi Sculpture Park, Tautu Sea Track, Motu Sea Track, Uluvehi Sea Track and more! Note that these tracks are much rougher than some of the tracks recommended on the west coast, so children need to be supervised at all times. Some of the walks include steep steps and ladders, so be sure to take your time and stay safe.

Check off the sights from the 8 Best Sea Tracks on the East Coast, Niue or follow our itinerary step-by-step in A Self-Guided Day Trip in Niue: East Coast Itinerary.

Going from south to north, you’ll loop around the island, passing the Matapa Chasm again, giving you your all-essential swimming spot for the day, as listed in the 8 Best Sea Tracks & Places to Swim in Niue for Kids.

To drive around the entire island takes around 2 hrs 30 mins (assuming you drive slowly over the potholes), but you can cut the journey short by taking one of the inland roads, such as the Alofi-Liku Road or Alofi-Lakepa Road if needed.

Dining Recommendations

Sunday is the only day of the week that the honesty bar and kitchen of the Washaway Cafe (Avatele) is open, so head on down and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere for lunch and/or dinner.

When dinner comes around, Crow’s Nest (Alofi Commercial Centre) serves up excellent fish and chips and extra cakes on a Sunday (note that schedules are subject to change – see about getting a restaurant schedule on arrival, as outlined in Opening Hours in Niue: Odd Hours, Tide Times & Things to Know).

(c) Niue Tourism

Day 4 – Visit the Limu Pools, Matapa Chasm, the Talava Arches and More!

Travel time: 10-30 minutes drive.

Today, we recommend a road trip on the west side of the island, which has the most family-friendly walks and swimming spots.

Limu Pools

A must-do in Niue for families is the Limu Pools. Located near Namukulu, the pools are best visited at mid to full incoming tide for older kids that want some deeper water for snorkelling and cliff-jumping. If you have little ones, visit the Limu Pools at low tide when they are nice and shallow!

Matapa Chasm and Talava Arches

Travel a little further north to Hikutavake where you’ll find the Matapa Chasm and the Talava Arches. If the tide is still low or at mid-tide, we recommend heading to the Talava Arches first.

The Talava Arches Sea Track is a 30-minute venture through the forest along a rocky path until you reach a limestone cave. Keep an eye on enthusiastic children, helping them to use the guide ropes through the caves until you reach a viewpoint of a magnificent coastal arch. You can walk on the reef under the arch at low tide and snorkel in the narrow channel at the bottom of the reef, lined with beautiful coral.

Return on the Talava Arches Sea Track the same way, then head down to the Matapa Chasm Sea Track just next door. The walk is an easy seven-minute walk to another amazing swimming and snorkelling spot that can be enjoyed at all tides.

Dining Recommendations

Start your day off with aromatic coffee and an indulgent locally-sourced brunch at Fana Cafe (Swanson Complex). If it’s open, certainly stop by the Hio Cafe & Bar (Tuapa) for lunch nearby all of the swimming holes we’ve just mentioned.

For pre-dinner drinks, All Relativf (Swanson Complex) is a family-friendly cocktail bar that’s well worth popping in at some point during your trip. For dinner, give the Dolphin Restaurant (Scenic Matavai Resort) a try, with its a la carte menu accompanied by the soothing tunes of an island band.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Day 5 – Depart from Niue

Travel time: 5-10 minutes drive.

Leaving already?! We told you five days wasn’t enough time! Nevertheless, you still have managed to do some of the highlights of the world’s largest raised coral atoll and, no doubt, enjoy some family bonding time.

After you have packed up your bags and checked out of your accommodation, it’s time to start the airport departure process.

The airport departure in Niue is a bit longer than in other countries due to the small airport with limited staff, so be sure to read Leaving Niue: The Niue Airport Departure Process for a full guide on what to expect. For many, it involves checking in bags in the morning and then coming back to catch the flight in the afternoon.

You’ll then depart on your flight to Auckland.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

Alternative Itinerary: Niue Relaxing Family 5-Day Itinerary

Remember that a holiday is your opportunity to relax too, so take a look at the proposed itinerary below listing just one or two activities per day for a laidback pace.

• Day 1 – Arrive in Niue and check-in at your accommodation
• Day 2 – Swim at the Limu Pools
• Day 3 – Walk to the Talava Arches and snorkel with the fish
• Day 4 – Learn how to survive in the wild on the Ebony Rainforest Tour
• Day 5 – Spend the morning in Alofi exploring the sea tracks before getting prepared for departure on an exciting and unusual Niue plane day.