Captain Cook's Track

In ancient times Atiu was crisscrossed with trails. There were no roads. Some trails were just paths and succumbed to jungle growth when roads and mechanised transport arrived. Some of the ancient paved paths also disappeared because these paths were important thoroughfares and were made into vehicular roads. A few however still remain and are worth finding. They all pass through makatea, the jungle and end at a beach or landing. The jungle is pristine. One look at it and you will understand why it would be almost impossible for man to knock it down. Makatea is weird stuff. It looks primeval, intimidating and straight out of Jurassic Park. This partly paved path can be easily found although the start at Oravaru (Cooks Landing place) or at Orongo Marae are often overgrown. This is the trail that Captain Cook's landing party took to the main settlement of the chief Ngarmaru. The trail features a land bridge over a deep 4 metre wide cleft in the Makatea. Most people miss this and walk over it unperturbed. Watch for a dip in the path.