Nusa Roviana hillfort and shrines

Impressive settlement complex – 600 m long hillfort with 3 m high, 2 m wide, and 500 m long wall made of stone rubble. Here are located 13 skull shrines filled with skulls of deceased chiefs. A small terraced area in the highest place of the island contains a legendary shrine – Tiola or dog shrine with a stone carving – dog’s head. The fortress was destroyed in 1892.

Sutherland Falls

This beautiful 580 meters high waterfall starts directly from the glacier-fed Lake Quill and falls in three drops.

Browne Falls

836 m tall falls in Doubtful Sound, some of the tallest in the world.

Wairere Falls

Impressive, 153 m tall falls. The tallest waterfall in North Island. Two vertical plunges.

Arai Te Tonga – the most sacred marae in Rarotonga

The most sacred marae in Rarotonga was developed roughly in 1250 AD. Not much is visible above the soil. Includes also koutu – a meeting ground. It is not allowed to step on a marae – it is still sacred.

Ara Metua – ancient Polynesian road

Ancient, approximately 29 km long ancient road, located inwards from the present road. Until the middle of the20th century road, for the most part, was paved with basalt and coral slabs well fitted together, in villages there was curbing as well. The road served as the central element in the spiritual, administrative, and economical life of the island. Possibly built as early as around 1050 AD.

Talava Arches and Caves

One of the major sights in Niue: a beautiful cave with three huge natural arches. After entering the cave, there are two exits – one towards the sea with one enormous natural arch visible (approximately 7 m high and 20 – 25 m wide), another – to a sinkhole with two other large natural arches. From the sinkhole are available some more caves. Sinkholes and arches have been formed by the collapse of the cave roofs. First seen by Captain Cook.

Lake Kairae dendroglyphs

Site where have been found 16 dendroglyphs made by Moriori people.

Taia dendroglyphs

Site with 21 dendroglyphs made by Moriori people.

Hapupu dendroglyphs

The richest find of the unique dendroglyphs left by the ancient Moriori people. In 1998 here were found 92 kopi trees (Corynocarpus laevigata) with ancient signs cut by Moriori people centuries ago. There are five groups of dendroglyphs on the islands, where 147 trees with carvings were found in 1998. In the 1950s there were known some 1,400 trees with dendroglyphs, in earlier times dendroglyphs were reported also on Pitt Island. It is possible that these markings are linked to the cult of dead or to burial rituals.