Nuku'alofa Shore Excursion: PRIVATE VIP fully flexible mainland tour

This list offers all the options to choose from for your VIP flexible sightseeing tour. The personal guide will be happy to suggest an itinerary to you or you are free to specify which sights you would like to see. Please note that is not possible to see every single sight below. Most places are quick stops so you would have time but options like the Anahulu Cave Pool, the Primary School visit & lunch at the Bush BBQ cafe can take up more time. Please let us know you MUST see sights and we can advise if thats possible or not.

The wooden Palace, which was built in 1867, is the official residence of the King of Tonga. It is not open to the public but we you can get a photo in front of the palace gate and if you are lucky, you may even get a glimpse of the King & Queen!

The Royal Tombs have been the resting place of the royals since 1893. The statue-studded white concrete tomb complex is off limits to the public, but you can peer across the lawns from the perimeter fence.

A small monument marks the spot where Captain Cook first landed back in 1777. He dubbed Tonga the "Friendly Islands" because of the warm welcome he received from the locals, however he did not know they actually had a plot to kill him!

The tombs are stone vaults, "platforms of earth with a stepped pyramid effect supported by carefully placed retaining walls". The earliest tombs have been tentatively dated back to the mid-thirteenth century.

FISHING PIGS
When the tide is out, these unusual porkers trot out into the shallows and snuffle around in search of seafood. Not something you see every day! Of course we can't guarantee you will see the Pigs fishing, it all depends on the tide & the pigs!

Local ancient legend has it that in a certain time of the year, you can pass through this mysterious place, and on other side of the structure, you encounter the habitat of an ancient god. This remarkable prehistoric megalithic monument consisting of two gigantic 5-meter tall limestone upright stones are approximately 30-40 tons each, that support a massive, horizontal 6-meter-long slab. The total weight of the monument is 40 ton. How it was built remains a mystery.

'Ana Hulu is a karst cave with the most remarkable limestone and 8m deep freshwater pool. There are stairs and a path leading to the pool with electric light. A wonderful work of art by nature and a unique place for a swim!

Formed by the collapse of the roof a sea cave, its the perfect place to watch the waves break dramatically near the entrance. The ancient locals believe that Maui threw his spear through making a large hole in the Earth. There are not fences here and it can be hard to get to after we have had wet weather, so we can't guarantee that we can stop here. A short walk on uneven ground is required to get to the sight from the car.

Not just another Coconut tree, this one has 3 heads and is apparently the only one in the world! Stop here for a quick photo!

Lunch will be at the Bush BBQ cafe where you can enjoy barbecue chicken and lamb, lu sipi (mutton in taro leaf), lu palumasima (corned beef in taro leaf) and the most delicious fresh fruit cordial.

You can also choose to have a packed lunch that you eat along the way to give you more time to see other sights!

See the most spectacular blowholes! Here you'll find not one blowhole, but hundreds of them along this three mile stretch of wild windswept coastline. Watch from the safety of the viewing platform. This is also a great spot to enjoy your tasty packed lunch as you enjoy Mother Nature showing off her mighty power.

Tsunami rock
Science says, this huge Coral boulder was thrown inland thousands of years ago by a prehistoric Tsunami. Local legend say's the Demi God Maui threw the giant rock down to kill an annoying Rooster. Tongan Roosters crow all day and night so the Maui theory does have merit!

Maritime Museum
The term “maritime” is synonymous with the seafaring Polynesians and their ancestors in general but even more specifically the once vast oceanic empire of Tonga. The museum will house a comprehensive display of artefacts that illustrate this long, rich past. Exhibits will span 3,000 years of Tongan history in one room.

Finally end your wonderful day in Tonga at the stunning Ha'atafu beach & time permitting have a swim or relax on the beach. This is also a great spot to grab a wonderful photo!

Local Primary School
The best part of the day will seeing the gorgeous Tongan children at their local primary school. You will have a chance to meet the children and teachers and drop off any school supply donations that you would like to offer. AUD20 from each tour will be donated to the school on behalf of Tonga Travel Troupe.