Fiji Travel Planner

Bula, welcome to Fiji! A long-time holiday favourite for Australians, Fiji is fascinating, laid- back, picturesque and very friendly. This is a place where the pressures and hectic pace of life soon become a memory ...

History & culture

Fiji has a fascinating and culturally diverse population with a number of distinct ethnic groups. Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian travellers, whose descendents form today's ethnic Fijian population, arrived in the region thousands of years ago. European settlers arrived in great numbers in the mid-1800s and by 1874 Fiji was a British colony. Over the next 40 years, tens of thousands of indentured labourers were sent from British India to work the sugar plantations. The result is today's thriving Indo-Fijian community and unique nation of colourful religious festivals, hushed and ritualistic tribal ceremonies and fascinating archaeological finds.

People

As clichéd as it sounds, Fiji really is the land of beautiful teethy grins and friendly laid-back people. Maybe it's all that kava they drink, however it's more likely the fact that the Fijians live in an unspoilt paradise that hasn't changed much for generations. The inhabitants of this multicultural melting pot are renowned for their hospitality and generosity. One of the highlights of a visit to Fiji is to make a visit to a local village, where fascinating traditions, developed over thousands of years, are open to visitors.

Islands & resorts

The Republic of Fiji is actually an archipelago of 322 islands and more than 500 islets. Fiji's main island, Viti Levu is the 'real' Fiji, where most of the country's history was formed and where most Fijians live. Viti Levu is home to Nadi, Fiji's vibrant gateway city where the South Pacific meets the cultures of India and Asia, as well as the Coral Coast where you can find a good range of large and popular resorts spaced out between Nadi and Pacific Harbour. Pacific Harbour is home to some of the South Pacific's best diving, fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting and and golfing, while Fiji's capital city Suva offers the country's best monuments, museums, cinemas, nightlife and shopping.

The surrounding smaller islands range from tiny coral outcrops to small palm-fringed islands where you can have the beach all to yourself. From the gateway city of Nadi, it's only a short commuter ride to the very tempting Mamanuca island group, home to half of Fiji's resorts including the likes of Mana, Tokoriki, Castaway and Musket Cove, catering to all types of travellers. Further north is Fiji's most magnificent chain of islands, the Yasawas, is less developed than the Mamanucas, with longer beaches, higher jungle-clad mountains and more rustic accommodation options.

Taveuni in the northern islands is arguably Fiji's finest, with impenetrable jungle, waterfalls pouring down steep slopes, coconut plantations plunging to the coast and some of the world's best diving. Vatulele, one of Fiji's southern islands, is a secluded tropical island set on a magnificent lagoon defined by white sandy beaches, natural beauty, casual luxury and absolute relaxation.

Resorts on the islands offer every kind of experience to suit all travellers: from families on a budget and honeymooners seeking the ultimate in romance, to first class private luxury getaways and environmental eco escapes.

Nature

The mountainous terrain of the islands' interior make Fiji a delight for visitors who like to get out and experience nature's beauty. There are many excellent walks, hiking trails to waterfalls, river rafting experiences and village tours available in Fiji's national parks.

Food

Fiji's cultural blend has also resulted in a unique and tasty range of cuisines. Dishes take their cue from Polynesian, Western, Chinese and Indian cuisines, often with a special twist to give it some Fijian flair. Don't miss out on a traditional Fijian lovo feast, where the food is miraculously cooked in underground ovens. Traditional food includes taro, cassava and seafood, often teamed with coconut cream. Delicious!

Shopping

Traditional handicrafts such as jewellery and wood carvings are popular, as are local sarongs and brightly coloured shirts. Beautiful saris and Indian jewellery make great gifts, as do traditional pottery, woven goods and tapa cloth.

Get in the know

You haven't experienced the real Fiji until you get down on a hand-woven coconut mat.on the floor and drink the muddy looking kava drink with the locals. During an Informal kava ceremony, the tradition is to sit on the floor with your legs crossed, and when handed the drink you should first clap and say bula before accepting the drink and downing it in one go. As you hand back the empty cup you clap three times and everyone else joins in. More formal ceremonies have a more involved protocol so ask first.