Rarotonga is the main island of the Cook Islands and a fantastic vacation destination in the South Pacific. Visitors appreciate the stunning landscape, the warm locals, and the tranquility.
It is a natural paradise with many offers around the lagoon, the sea, and the hinterland. Conversely, there are few shopping opportunities because all goods have to be shipped to the remote islands. The range is particularly limited when shopping for groceries, including good wines.
As wine lovers, we have always been looking out for good wine during our years on the island and got to know most of the stores and what beverages they offer. So in this article, we’d like to give you an idea of which New Zealand and Australian wines you can buy in Rarotonga and how much they cost.
There is an excellent selection of white and red New Zealand and Australian wines you can buy in Rarotonga. The two best stores to find them are located in the capital Avarua: the Bond’s Liquor Store, opposite the Punanga Nui Market, and the CITC Liquors Store, right next to the CITC supermarket.
And here are the details about delicious Kiwi and Aussie wines you can buy in Rarotonga.
Where to Buy New Zealand and Australian Wines in Rarotonga
Sure, there are plenty of small shops all over the island that sell liquor. However, if you are looking for a decent beverage selection, your best bet is to aim for the two major liquor stores in Rarotonga. Especially if you want to buy wine from the great wine regions of New Zealand and Australia.
The Bond Liquor Store
The recently renovated Bond Store offers a wide range of popular spirits.
And the entire right half of the shop is dedicated to wine and sparkling wine. Most of the wines originate from New Zealand and Australia, with various European wines (e.g., from Italy, Spain) gradually being added.
You’ll find The Bond Liquor Store on the main road of Avarua, opposite the Punanga Nui Market.
CITC Liquor Store
The CITC Liquor Store is located at the western end of Avarua, right next to the CITC supermarket. It is the second major store for New Zealand and Australian wines you can buy in Rarotonga. They also offer some fabulous South American wines (e.g., from the Montes Winery, Chile).
New Zealand and Australien Wines You Can Buy In Rarotonga
A Choice of New Zealand Wines in Rarotonga
| Name/ Brand | Grape | Origin | Avg Price NZD | Store | Our Rating 1-5 |
| 1=low to 5=best | |||||
| Red Wine | |||||
| Man O’ War Ironclad | red blend | Waiheke Island | 42 | Bond | 3,5 |
| Trinity Hill | Tempranillo | Hawke’s Bay | 34 | Bond | 3 |
| esk valley | red blend | Hawke’s Bay | 22 | Bond | 3 |
| White Wine | |||||
| Cloudy Bay | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 48 | Bond | 5 |
| Man O’ War Valhalla | Chardonnay | Waiheke Island | 36 | Bond | 5 |
| Villa Maria Cellar Selection | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 32 | Bond | 4 |
| Stoneleigh Rapaura Series | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 32 | CITC | 3,5 |
| Te Awa Single Estate | Chardonnay | Hawke’s Bay | 32 | CITC | 3 |
| Mount Michael | Pinot Gris | Central Otago | 32 | Bond | 4 |
| Jules Taylor On The Quiet | Chardonnay | Marlborough | 31 | Bond | 3 |
| Villa Maria Cellar Selection | Pinot Gris | Marlborough | 31 | Bond | 3 |
| Trinity Hill Lost Garden | Chardonnay | Hawke’s Bay | 28 | Bond | 3 |
| Saint Clair Pioneer Block | Pinot Gris | Marlborough | 27 | Bond | 4 |
| Matawhero | Pinot Gris | Gisborne | 27 | CITC | 4 |
| Kim Crawford | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 25 | Bond | 3 |
| Church Road | Chardonnay | Hawke’s Bay | 25 | Bond | 4 |
| Villa Maria Lightly Sparkling | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 22 | Bond | 4 |
| Mt. Riley | Pinot Gris | Marlborough | 20 | Bond | 4 |
| Mt. Difficulty Roaring Meg | Pinot Gris | Otago | 20 | Bond | 3 |
| Haha | Pinot Gris | Hawke’s Bay | 17 | Bond | 3 |
A Choice of Australian Wines in Rarotonga
| Name/Brand | Grape | Origin | Avg Price NZD | Store | Our Rating 1-5 |
| 1=low to 5=best | |||||
| Red Wine | |||||
| Jacaranda | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coonawarra | 55 | CITC | 5 |
| Yalumba The Signature | Red blend | Barossa Valley | 45 | Bond | 4 |
| Jacob’s Creek St Hugo | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coonawarra | 38 | CITC | 4 |
| Wolf Blass Gold Label Collection | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coonawarra | 36 | Bond | 3,5 |
| Wolf Blass Gold Label Collection | Shiraz | Barossa Valley | 34 | Bond | 4 |
| Church Block | Red blend | Wirra Wirra | 30 | Bond | 3 |
| Pepperjack Barossa | Cabernet Sauvignon | Barossa Valley | 28 | Bond, CITC | 4 |
| Jim Barry – The Cover Drive | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coonawarra | 24 | Bond | 4 |
| DeBortoli Woodfired | Cabernet Sauvignon | Dixons Creek | 24 | Bond | 3,5 |
| Jim Barry – The Barry Bros | Red blend | Coonawarra | 23 | Bond | 4 |
| Saddler’s Creek Bluegrass | Cabernet Sauvignon | Langhorne Creek | on request | Maire Nui Gardens Cafe | 4 |
| White Wine | |||||
| Penfolds Koonunga Hill | Chardonnay | South AU | 32 | CITC | 4 |
| Jacob’s Creek | Chardonnay | South East AU | 24 | CITC | 3 |
We hope this article gives you an idea about some stunning New Zealand and Australian wines you can buy in Rarotonga and how much they cost on the island.
The wines are certainly more expensive than in their country of origin. This is mainly due to the freight costs to transport them to distant Rarotonga. But – you are on holiday, right?
Enjoy the wines. Cheers!
If you are interested in more, we have also put together a video for a detailed look at Rarotonga’s island life, including shops.
You can also find much more information about Rarotonga and all the other 11 inhabited Cook Islands on our website and in our Cook Islands Travel Guide.
