A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Nuku’alofa: One Day Itinerary

© Google Maps

Nuku’alofa Visitor Centre to Vuna Wharf

Distance: 1 km (0.6 mi), Walking time: 10 mins.

Visitor Information Centre

Starting at the Tonga Tourism Visitor Information Centre, take some time to explore its small botanic garden and next door’s Fa’onelua Park (the largest and only public children’s playground in Tonga) before turning left and heading west on Vuna Road.

Only around 100 m (110 yards) down Vuna Road, you’ll come across the Central Bus Station where you can take very affordable public buses to just about anywhere on Tongatapu – learn more in The Bus in Tonga: Bus Fares, Routes & More.

Beyond the bus station is a selection of cafes built into shipping containers, providing one of many places to stop for refreshments. On an evening, food trucks and barbecues set up shop here, should you want to try some Tongan street food.

Parliament Buildings

At the next left, turn down Railway Road. Railway Road was used to carry tools and equipment to Vuna Wharf during World War One. It was later used to carry copra and bananas to the wharf for export. Today, it is the only one-way street in Tonga, while this northern section is also home to Tonga’s Parliament buildings.

The striking red-roofed building is St George’s Palace which is a four-storey office block housing the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as other Government ministries. It is customary to enter Parliament wearing full Tongan attire, including a ta’ovala for the men and a kiekie for the women (although, this rule is usually waived for tourists, as long as you are dressed respectfully).

Across the road was the original Parliament which was destroyed by Cyclone Gita in 2018, so was relocated to the Tonga National Cultural Centre in Tofoa.

The brown block building at the back is the Supreme Court House. There are three Supreme Courts in the whole of Tonga, as well as three Magistrate Courts located in Fasi (Nuku’alofa) and the villages of Nukunuku and Mu’a. There are around 40 lawyers in Tonga.

Walk back up Railway Road onto Vuna Road where you’ll see the Treasury Building in front of St George’s Palace. The Treasury was first built here in 1928 but was demolished and reconstructed to the current building in 2020.

Vuna Wharf and Pangai Lahi

Cross over Vuna Road and behind the shipping container cafes is Vuna Wharf, which makes for a pleasant waterfront stroll. The wharf was first constructed in 1906 and it was where most visitors disembarked from ships for some 60 years. The railway through Railway Road ran through the wharf. More recently, it was upgraded for cruise ship and superyacht visitors.

As you return to Vuna Road, the big field on your right is Pangai Lahi, which is land owned by the king and only used for Royal and Government events, such as royal feasts, kava ceremonies and parades. You’ll get a glimpse of the Royal Palace across the field, but we’ll lead you to a better view in the next section.

© Google Maps

Vuna Wharf to The Royal Tombs

Distance: 2 km (1.2 mi), Walking time: 30 mins.

Raintree Square

Continue south and Vuna Road will turn into Taufa’ahau Road. On your right is Raintree Square named after its large shady tree which is believed to have already been there during World War Two. There are a few of Nuku’alofa’s cheap eats here, as well as a children’s playground.

After Raintree Square is the newly renovated Post Office, while across the street is the Public Service Commission Office with its quaint tower. This is the oldest Government building in Tonga.

Zion Hill

At the next right, turn on Salote Road. The third building on the left is the Nuku’alofa Club, which is a reflection of the old South Pacific. It’s a private men’s club where Tonga’s elite gather to relax over a game of snooker and a few beers.

Looking straight ahead past the end of Salote Road is the Zion Hill Chapel which sits on the highest point in town at 15 m (50 ft) above sea level. This is part of the Royal Estate and was a Tongan fort during the 18th Century.

The Royal Palace

At the end of Salote Road, turn right onto Vaha’akolo Road. When you get to the water, look back for the best view of The Royal Palace through the gardens of Norfolk Pines. The Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Tonga (although the current Royal Family do not live here; they just use it for official functions). This wooden Victorian palace was commissioned by King George Tupou I. It was prefabricated in New Zealand, shipped to Tonga, and erected in 1867. The second-storey balcony was added in 1882 and the palace was substantially extended during the reign of King Tupou V. Historically, the Privy Council was held at the Palace. Today, it holds the Royal Archives and artwork. Note that the Palace is not open to the public.

Vuna Road Waterfront

Continue west on Vuna Road for a pleasant walk with the sea and reef on one side and stately colonial-era homes on the other.

On the second block is the former British High Commissioner’s Residence, which is more commonly known as “White House” and is now used for government functions. You’ll also notice the flagpole surrounded by four cannons, which were taken from the Port au Prince; a ship that was captured by the Tongans in Ha’apai in 1806. King George Tupou I also had his two wives buried here in casuarina-ringed graves.

Just before reaching Sipu Road, Mala’e’aloa Cemetary is a royal cemetery and means “Tragic Field” in Tongan.

Turn down Sipu Road and you’ll get another view of Zion Hill from the first left (Salote Road).

Sai’one Centenary Church

Next, turn down Wellington Road, then Vaha’akolo Road. On the right stands the Sai’one Centenary Church. The church that the Royal Family attends, this grand white building was founded in 1885 by King George Tupou I and was originally named the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. Members of the Free Wesleyan Church constructed the Centenary Church between 1949 and 1952. During the construction, the town was divided into three sections that shared in feeding the workers three meals a day. Learn more about attending a Sunday church service here in the 5 Best Churches in Nuku’alofa to Experience as a Visitor.

Directly opposite the Centenary Church are the Headquarters of His Majesty’s Army Forces. There are around 700 soldiers divided between three different camps across Tongatapu.

Turn onto Vaha’akolo Road and head south to Mala’e Mamaioa behind the Centenary Church. The field is used for church occasions such as the Free Wesleyan Annual Conference – see the 10 Biggest Events & Celebrations in Tonga. School bazaars are also held here featuring Tongan handicrafts made by local students.

Queen Salote College

Continue walking south of Vaha’akolo Road and on your right is Queen Salote College, which is also owned by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga and is a girls’ school named after the wife of King George Tupou I. Established in 1926, the school’s motto is “Ko Tonga Mo’unga Ki He Loto” – “Tonga’s Strengthhold is its Heart”. There are around 1,000 students and they all must be neatly dressed with their hair always plaited.

And on your next left, you’ll reach Mala’ekula (The Royal Tombs).

© Google Maps

The Royal Tombs to Talamahu Market

Distance: 1.5 km (0.9 mi), Walking time: 20 mins.

Mala’ekule (Royal Tombs)

Mala’ekule means “Red Ground”, which was originally named after King George Tupou I established a day of fundraising here for Tonga’s first public school, known as the “Red Day Festival”. As the King had just converted to Christianity, red was chosen to represent the blood of Christ. After the King passed away in 1893, Mala’ekule was chosen as his burial ground. Since then, each member of the current line of royalty has been buried here.

Head east on Mateialona Road. Tonga High School sits across the road from the Royal Tombs and is a government high school. It was established in 1947 and its motto is “Ki He Lalel Taha” or “To The Best”. The original school was burnt down in 2000 and the Chinese Government built the current building.

Queen Salote Memorial Hall and National Auditorium

Towards the next intersection is Queen Salote Memorial Hall and the National Auditorium. The theatre holds more than 2,000 people and is believed to be one of the largest halls in the South Pacific Islands. The biggest event it held was Miss South Pacific in 1995, which was the first time a “Miss Tonga” won the Miss South Pacific title. Queen Salote Memorial Hall is also the current venue of the Tonga National Museum, which you can learn more about in the 5 Best Museums & Art Galleries in Tonga.

Basilica of St Anthony of Padua

Turn onto Taufa’ahau Road and head north until the end of the block. The Royal Tombs cover the whole left side of the block, while on the right is the tent-shaped Basilica of St Anthony of Padua, the first basilica in the South Pacific Islands. Much of this impressive building was constructed by volunteers between 1977 and 1980. The large wooden beam joints are traditionally covered by coconut sennit mats, while much of the interior was handcrafted from coconut wood with inlays of mother of pearl. The basilica is usually open for visitors to have a look inside.

Centennial Church

Take the next left onto Laifone Road and you’ll quickly come across the huge Centennial Church, Free Church of Tonga. The building was built of coral block in 1888 after the church/denomination was established in 1885 by King George Tupou I and his first prime minister, Rev. Shirley Baker. Queen Salote and King Tupou IV were both christened at this church. Today, the Centennial Church remains closed due to damage caused by Cyclone Gita in 2018.

Taufa’ahau Road (Nuku’alofa Town Centre)

Walk back to Taufa’ahau Road and turn left towards the waterfront. On this main street, you’ll pass through a few vacant lots as a result of the November 2006 riot. The remaining shops carry handicrafts and clothing, as well as cafes such as Cafe Escape, Coffee Post and Friends Cafe, the latter set inside a colonial villa built more than 100 years ago – learn more in the 10 Best Cafes in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

Just next to Friends Cafe is the Langafonua Handicrafts Centre set inside a clapboard house built by William Cocker, a local merchant, for his three daughters. Queen Salote III set up the Langafonua Handicrafts Centre in 1953 to preserve ancient crafting skills. The centre today stocks a range of Tongan handicrafts and fine art.

Talamahu Market

Turn right onto Salote Road and walk past the Police Station on the left and you’ll find the Talamahu Market on the second block. The lively market has many vendors selling a huge variety of fruits, while at the back of the market and upstairs is an array of locally produced handicrafts and souvenirs – see the 5 Best Markets in Tonga for more information.