10 Photos
Hike to Te Rua Manga (the needle)
A nice sweaty day hike on Rarotonga.
Hike
Hiking to Te Rua Manga
Te Rua Manga, also known as The Needle, is a breccia spire that's visible from many places around Rarotonga. It's roughly in the middle of the Cross-Island Track.
Instead of doing the full track, we decided to do an out-and-back, since we were taking our 18-month-old daughter with us. It's recommended to start at the northern end (Avarua), but we went to the southern side, making it a slightly shorter walk to the top.
Getting to the trailhead was a winding drive with very little signage, so at some points we felt like we might be going the wrong way. But you'll know you've come to the right place when you get to Papua Waterfall, also known as Wigmore's waterfall.
The trail was easy enough to follow (look for the orange markers), but a word of warning: it can get pretty steep and slippery in some places. Wear solid footwear and take care, especially if you happen to be lugging around a toddler in your backpack. At times you do need to scramble through overgrown parts of the track and cross streams.
As we approached the top we came through a clearing which gave us an awesome view of the big rock we came to see.
Once we reached the base of the spire I decided that was far enough for me. But if you're a keen climber like Sam you can keep going to the very top and look out across the island.
Here we stopped for a snack and much-needed drink (take lots of water - it's hot!)
Heading back, our exhausted little girl nodded off in her Poco and slept the whole way back to the car.
We loved the cross-island track for the adventure and the views, but if you're into birds, then this gorgeous tropical jungle is also home to many of Rarotonga's native birds.
We'd definitely do it again, maybe even the full track - one day when our daughter's legs and attention span are both a bit longer.