Hawaii’s Kauai offers you the world
Our guide started thrusting his arms in all directions: ‘‘There’s Vietnam, that’s Africa, Bali is here, that hill is Venezuela, there’s Australia – and all of that ridge is Jurassic Park.’’ We’re in Kauai, Hawaii’s northern-most island. It’s a place where lush jungle-covered mountains launch from the sea, the peaks shrouded in clouds. Enormous waterfalls bring your eyes back to the ocean, where golden sands line the shore. The dramatic contrast gives the island an almost mystical aura.
The spectacular scenery is why more than 60 movies have been filmed on the island. The beauty is so varied, moviemakers turn Kauai’s kaleidoscope of landscapes into almost any country they wish. For most Kiwis, our first thought of Hawaii is Honolulu’s skyscraper-fringed Waikiki beach, or perhaps the luxury of Maui. But Kauai is unlike any of these, it is the Pacific’s Garden of Eden – a playground for nature lovers.
The island was formed more than six million years ago, giving the jungle an almost Jurassic quality. And protecting its natural heritage is of great importance – 97 per cent of the island is undeveloped, and no building is allowed to be higher than a coconut tree.
Grand Canyon of the South Pacific
On the west side of the island is a geological wonder, millions of years in the making. The vast Waimea Canyon, lined with soaring peaks that plunge more than a kilometre to the jungle below, is a geological wonder you’d never think possible on a Pacific island.
Many decide to take a helicopter trip around the island, which includes flying into the canyon, but walking along its jagged peaks is arguably just as spectacular, and free.
While there are dozens of walks to choose from, the Canyon Trail is a great starting point. This follows the rim of the canyon, with stunning cliff-edge views, followed by a short walk down to the top of the canyon’s central feature: the Waipo’o Falls. The other iconic walks on Kauai are along the Na Pali Coast, wandering along the lower reaches of the jungle-covered mountains that spring up from the ocean.
Forget walking
If your need for adrenaline is more immediate, you can explore 1200 hectares of private jungle and farmland at the wheel of an off-road buggy with Kipu Ranch Adventures.
The tour traverses farmland and lush rugged jungle, where you can see the set locations for movies such as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Descendants. The tour ends with taking your buggy up a steep mountain, used for Jurassic Park, to glimpse a sacred beach.
More information: gohawaii.com.
Getting there:
Hawaiian Airlines flies directly from Auckland, with regular connections to Kauai. It’s best to rent a car to explore the island. See: hawaiianairlines.com.
Staying there:
The Sheraton Kauai Resort is a great base for exploring the island. See: sheraton.com.
Playing there:
Allerton Gardens from $93, see: ntbg.org/gardens/allerton. Kipu Ranch Adventures from $229, see: kiputours.com. Kauai Hiking Tours from $588, see: kauaihikingtours.com.
Garden of Eden
Nowhere is the Garden of Eden theme more amplified than the Allerton Gardens, an 32-hectare Alice in Wonderland-style botanical garden, named one of the 50 top places in the world by National Geographic.
The garden was started by Hawaii’s Queen Emma in the 19th century.
In the 1920s, famed philanthropists Robert and John Allerton developed the valley into a wellmanicured paradise, which is maintained posthumously today.
A sunset tour, with drinks and dinner in the Allerton homestead, is the best way to wind down after a busy day exploring.
The writer travelled courtesy of Hawaii Tourism, the Kauai Visitors Bureau and Hawaiian Airlines.
This article was published as part of a partnership with House of Travel.