When deciding on our next holiday destination, our must-haves as a family included tropical sunshine, relaxation, and a touch of culture, all within a short flight from Australia.

We had a wonderful experience in Fiji in 2014 when our son was 2, so we wanted a similar hospitable experience but somewhere new. We chose the Cook Islands, with Jetstar offering a direct six-hour flight from Sydney to Rarotonga. The pure beauty of the Cook Islands, seen in online images, always drew me in, so when I found frequent flyer flights available during the school holidays, I jumped on it!

As a travel agent, I love researching and finding the best resorts that suit the needs of my clients – and in this case, my own family! Needs vary greatly for those travelling with children versus those without. I had heard the Muri Lagoon area was beautiful and well-protected from the winds, which the Cook Islands are well known for. After exploring several resorts in the area, we settled on The Pacific. It’s not a large resort, but it offers various room options perfect for families. We chose the Family Garden Room, which had a separate bedroom and another bed in the main living area – spacious and ideal for our needs.

The resort has a relaxed vibe, offers a daily tropical breakfast included in the room rate, and features a restaurant, Sandals, with beautiful food and the Barefoot Cafe & Bar right on the beachfront. Dining at Sandals on our first night, we found the food delicious and rated it highly.

What we loved most was the complimentary kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkeling gear available to hotel guests. My 12-year-old son loves to keep busy and explore, so we invested in a cheap fishing line from a local store, and he had the best holiday ever! The island is surrounded by reefs perfect for snorkeling, but the area in front of The Pacific boasts beautiful sand and crystal-clear water – truly paradise. I had to keep pinching myself that this was our new normal for the next week!

Things to Do:

• Hire a Car: Explore the island at your own pace. We loved the freedom, and the drive around the entire island takes about 45 minutes at 50 km/h.
• Deep Sea Fishing: If you’re a keen fisherman, this is the place to be. My husband and son chose Akura and had a fabulous morning, catching yellowfin tuna. We took the catch to Vaianas, just out of the main town, where they cooked it up for us with chips and salad and served some as sashimi – a fantastic lunch right after the fishing trip.
• Day Spa: While the boys fished, I visited Ocean Escape Spa. The Balinese massage therapists were amazing. I had a 75-minute massage followed by a facial – pure bliss.
• Day Trip to Aitutaki: Unfortunately, we missed this due to bad weather, but it’s a must-do for ultimate paradise.
• Sunset on the West Coast: We enjoyed drinks at On the Beach – stunning views and a lovely dinner spot.
• Best Coffee: Beluga, a little café on the west coast, offered the best coffee and a great breakfast.
• Trader Jacks in Town: Perfect for happy hour drinks on the water or a delicious meal. We loved the seafood pasta and sashimi.
• Muri Night Markets: Held on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights near our hotel, these markets had a great vibe with local music and various food stalls. The BBQ prawn skewers with coconut rice and salad were delicious.
• Snorkeling on the West Coast: Near the Rarotongan Resort, the reefs here boast a beautiful array of colorful fish.
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Overall, we loved our week in paradise. The relaxed island lifestyle is infectious – even the dogs are calm and chilled like the locals!



If you’re after a tropical holiday with an island feel but without the high prices of Fiji, consider the beautiful Cook Islands.