Vitilevu

The central hub of the Fiji Islands is called Viti Levu (translation 'Big Fiji' by the locals) and is the business, industrial and political centre of the island group. It is the most populated and provides the main international airport near Nadi Town. The island is oval in shape and approximately 146km from east to west and 106 km from north to south. There is a main road that goes around the island. Starting as Queens Road in Lautoka going south through Nadi and east to Suva it then changes name to Kings Road and comes around the Northern part of the island, west through Ba Town and back to Lautoka. Viti Levu, although small in dimension takes nearly one day to drive around as the road hugs the coast in areas and goes over steep hilly valleys in others. Most of the other island groups are accessible from Viti Levu from either boat or small plane. See the 'Getting Here or There' section for specific transport needs.

Lautoka
Lautoka, the second largest city after Suva, is located on the west coast of Viti Levu only 30 minutes north of the Nadi Airport. With a view of the Mamanuca Group dotted in turquoise green waters off the horizon, it is a nice place to get away from the tourist hype of Nadi and enjoy some Fijian town culture. The west coast of Viti Levu is known for its bright sunny weather and Lautoka is a prime example of this with its average annual temperature being 30oC.

Lautoka is Fiji's main centre for site activity; the main industry is sugarcane, Fiji's biggest export earner. Lautoka has the largest sugar mill employing well over 1000 people. Other industries include timber, garment, jewellery, fishing, hatchery, brewery and a distillery.

It offers shopping of all varieties, movie theatres, an array of culture in its restaurants from Korean to Italian to Indian cuisine. Banks, post and communication services are in abundance and can meet your business needs through local Internet outlets. The bus depot is large and central making it easy to get just about anywhere on Viti Levu and although accommodation options are not in abundance, there are places to stay that should suit everyone's needs. Many boats and transport companies operate out of Lautoka to the Yasawa and Mamanuca Island Groups making it popular for island hoppers.

Nadi Town
The gateway to Fiji due it close proximity to the Nadi International Airport is the lively tourist core of Nadi Town. Located in the south west of Viti Levu, Nadi, although not immediately on the coast, can fulfil all of your business, accommodation and shopping needs. Tourism places great importance on Nadi as being the most convenient and accessible place to arrange all of your travel plans to other islands or simply around Viti Levu. It has many accommodation options for the arriving budget traveller and upper end resort seekers alike. One of the more significant local attractions to Nadi is the colourful Swami Temple at the southern end of the main street where the worship of nature (Lord Murugan) in the Hindi religion takes place.

The shopping district lines the main street from pharmacies to duty-free stores. You will be invited into most handicraft and clothing shops and by the end of the day often feel slightly irritated by the constant invitations. The post office is centrally located for sending home your purchased handicraft, bank machines (ATM's) are in abundance and there are several currency exchange counters.

Nadi, not only offers accommodation options, but an array of activities nearby from 'shot over jet rides', sea plane and helicopter rides, snorkelling, diving, trekking and island and inland tours. The friendly staff at your chosen accommodation desk, will provide you with up to date information and assist in your arrangements to explore Fiji.

Sigatoka
Approximately 45 minutes drive from Nadi (one hour and $4.00 by bus) and two hours from the Capital Suva, Sigatoka is a small pleasant stop when going from one side of Viti Levu to the other. Located on Fiji's second largest river (the Sigatoka River), Sigatoka sits on its tall riverbanks and is a peaceful, picturesque setting for the small town. Attractions to the visitor include shopping in souvenir shops and the local produce market or taking a trip to the Sigatoka Sand Dunes or perhaps an adventure down the beautiful Coral Coast.

In close proximity to Sigatoka is the village area of Korotogo that boasts a small strip of tourism with hotels, hostels, and a few restaurants and a small market. The road that holds this little village is along the beach which has easy access to swimming, snorkelling and kayaking as well as affordable horse-back riding and is a great place to watch the Fijian sunset. Tavuni Fort Hill, a defensive fort established by the Tongan Clan, is an interesting day trip that can be easily arranged from Sigatoka

Suva City
If you move onward east from Sigatoka down the long windy Queen's Road, you will experience a change in scenery going from the dry, sunnier west to the wetter, lush eastside. When you reach the capital of Fiji, Suva, you will see that the area is surrounded by lush protected parks that are full of hiking, swimming under fresh waterfalls and catching a quick glance at the native array of colourful birds and other Fijian wildlife. Suva is the largest city in Fiji and hosts the majority of administrative and political authorities in the country.

Suva streets are busy and sometimes difficult to cross so be careful and use crosswalks, as pedestrians do not have the right of way here. Along the Suva streets you will find shopping, markets, banks, internet facilities and a large variety of eateries. The market near the bus station in Suva is the busiest Saturday mornings with vendors from all over the region coming to sell their produce. The effect is a colourful and busy with hundreds of locals busily involved. The city is located on the coast and you can easily take a shore walk down by the water and eat your lunch on a quiet park bench.

Attractions in Suva include the botanical gardens, the museum, many churches, temples and mosques along with the parliament buildings and the University of the South Pacific. Suva comes alive at night and along Victoria Parade a large selection of pubs, clubs and discos operate. Suva can keep you busy in its city for long exciting days, and you can access the beautiful rainforest parks such as Colo-I Suva or the beginning of an eastern island adventure to the Lomaiviti Group.

As a backpacker Suva has numerous inexpensive activities that are of great interest and enjoyment. Backpacking accommodations are growing in number in Suva and because of the eco-tourism element in the numerous surrounding parks, are also growing in rapidly in popularity. The cosmopolitan feel of Suva city is a nice escape from slow lazy days at the beach and will serve as a pleasant, exciting stop on your journey around Fiji.

Rakiraki
The northern most town of Rakiraki is approximately 150 km north west of Suva. The scenery along King's Road from Suva to Rakiraki makes the trip worthwhile and the dry warm weather of the 'sunshine coast' is soothing. The central business area around Rakiraki named Vaileka is about 1 km off of Kings Road and 2-km inland from the coast. The region is based on agriculture with a major sugar mill just outside of town with kava (yaqona) and vegetable crops surrounding the abundant sugar cane fields.

The town itself offers little in the way of tourism however nearby is a beach resort and off shore is a composition of three islands, Nananu-I-Ra being the most accessible and favourable to backpackers. Accommodation, diving, snorkelling and other water activities set on this small picturesque, white sandy island just 30 minutes from Viti Levu makes the north an easy alternative to the popular Mamanuca or Yasawa Island groups.

Ba Town
Off the coast and 38 km away from Lautoka along the King's Road is the agricultural centre of Ba. It is different from other towns as it is primarily populated with Fijian-Indians making it a great cultural point on your visit to Fiji. Although it does not offer much in the way of tourism besides some shopping and of course, traditional Indian cuisine, the town is a perfect location to travel to the beautiful village of Navala. Navala is a beautiful, traditional Fijian village surrounded by green lush mountains near the banks of the Ba River. The village contains only bure's (thatched hut homes built traditionally by Fijians) and they are laid out in rows perfect for picture taking and experiencing the feel of a real Fijian village.

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