Famous cities

ooking for a blend of the past and the present?. Well Suva City has just the right mix that will see you experiencing the past without you having to miss out on modern perks. Suva is often referred to as the most cosmopolitan city in the Oceania region. Suva sits on a hilly peninsula between Lucile Bay and Suva Harbour in the southeast corner of Viti Levu. This capital city of Fiji has managed to retain the magic and character of the Colonial era and at the same time develop over the years offering visitors sites and attractions that will definitely make their stay memorable. Suva is the largest city in the region and is an important centre for many regional bodies which bring with them a diverse mixture of races and people. This has seen a growing expat community and also half of the country’s population calling Suva home. It is also the home of the government of the day, foreign embassies and consulates and educational as well as financial institutions which includes the University of the South Pacific, Fiji Institute of Technology, ANZ Banking Group, Westpac Banking Corporation, Colonial National Bank and the Bank of the South Pacific and the newly established University of Fiji.

Suva - a perfect blend of colonial charm and modern facilities

A wide selection of restaurants offers different types of cuisine to suit any fussy eater’s palate with bars and entertainment within walking distance of each other. Highlights of the Region Majestic buildings from the Colonial era are now integrated with modern high-rises that give a unique mix to Suva. Government House, the Presidential Mansion, Fintel Building, the Carnegie library and the Government buildings are just a small sample of this past era. The old Grand Pacific Hotel has been vacant for years waiting to be restored to its former grandeur. Take a walk into history and tour these buildings many of which are now protected by the National Trust.  Suva Highlights Victoria Parade See the nightlife light up whilst walking along Suva’s Victoria Parade. Come Happy Hour – 5pm to 7pm and you will be guaranteed to find a bar or club of your liking. Locals refer to it as their version of Sydney’s Kings Cross where you can find artists performing or even a chance to demonstrate your vocal or dancing skills at one of the karaoke outlets. Locals, the expat community and visitors are guaranteed a good time on Victoria Parade at the many bars, restaurants and dance halls situated in central Suva. Shopping Shopping is a bonanza in Suva particularly for Fijian artefacts which are in abundance at the Suva Handicraft Centre and shops in Cumming Street , running east from the park by the bridge over Nabukalou Creek. See weavers making magic as they display their skills at the Handicraft Centre. Or if you are in search for some fresh farm or seafood produce visit the Suva Market. Cumming Street has served both locals and tourists alike since the early 1960s. Suva has a variety of retail shops that sell clothes, jewellery and souvenirs at bargain prices. Other major outlets include Jacks of Fiji, Prouds, Tappoos and Mid-City Mall. Fiji Museum Located in the heart of Suva's botanical gardens, the Fiji Museum holds a remarkable historical and cultural collection which includes archaeological material dating back 3,700 years and cultural objects representing both Fiji's indigenous inhabitants and other communities that have settled in the island group over the past 100 years. Thurston Gardens Experience the flora of Fiji and see a variety of palms, gingers, water lilies and other local flora at the gardens. Originally called the Botanical Gardens, its name was changed to Thurston Gardens in honour of the fifth Governor of Fiji, Sir John Bates Thurston, who was Governor from February 1888 to March 1897. Thurston Gardens is located in central Suva, between Albert Park and the Government House. It is built on the original site of the town of Suva that was burnt in 1843 in one of the bloodiest fights in Fiji's history. Many of the inhabitants were killed and eaten by the people of Rewa. In 1879, Sir John Thurston invited and asked John Horne (Botanist), the Director of Forests and Botanic Gardens in Mauritius to visit and make recommendations for a Botanical Garden. Albert Park The main facade of Government Buildings faces Albert Park where aviator Charles Kingsford Smith landed his trimotor Fokker VII-3M on June 6, 1928 after arriving from Hawaii on the first-ever flight from California to Australia. Grand Pacific Hotel Facing the west side of the park is the elegant, Edwardian-style Grand Pacific Hotel built by the Union Steamship Company in 1914 to accommodate its transpacific passengers. The 75 rooms were designed to appear as shipboard staterooms with upstairs passageways overlooking the harbour similar to the promenade deck of a ship. For decades, the Grand Pacific was the social centre of the city but it has been closed since 1992. Changing of the Guard Although not on the level of London’s Buckingham Palace, it is an inspiring sight as the soldiers resplendent in their white sulus and flame red jackets perform the traditional manoeuvres outside the gates of the Presidential Palace. The Suva Market The Suva market is a kaleidoscope of colour, flavours, aromas and people. Visit the ground floor for an amazing array of fresh fruit and vegetables and then take a journey into Indian and Fijian culture upstairs with its array of Indian spices and kava. Stop and chat with the vendors or have a bowl of grog and make some new friends. Barra Boys and Shoe-Shine Boys Suva is a city of characters and the 'barra boys' add colour and an entrepreneurial flare as they run between buses at the bus terminal with their wheelbarrowsvying for business to collect and deliver cargo for clients. The shoe-shine boys will ask you for $1 for a shine as you walk past. Although a little cheeky at times they do a great job and your dollar helps put food on the table for families. Grand Pacific Hotel Facing the west side of the park is the elegant, Edwardian-style Grand Pacific Hotel built by the Union Steamship Company in 1914 to accommodate its transpacific passengers. The 75 rooms were designed to appear as shipboard staterooms with upstairs passageways overlooking the harbour similar to the promenade deck of a ship. For decades, the Grand Pacific was the social centre of the city but it has been closed since 1992. Changing of the Guard Although not on the level of London’s Buckingham Palace, it is an inspiring sight as the soldiers resplendent in their white sulus and flame red jackets perform the traditional manoeuvres outside the gates of the Presidential Palace. The Suva Market The Suva market is a kaleidoscope of colour, flavours, aromas and people. Visit the ground floor for an amazing array of fresh fruit and vegetables and then take a journey into Indian and Fijian culture upstairs with its array of Indian spices and kava. Stop and chat with the vendors or have a bowl of grog and make some new friends. The Presidential Palace dominates the landscape adjacent to Thurston Gardens

Barra Boys and Shoe-Shine Boys
Suva is a city of characters and the 'barra boys' add colour and an entrepreneurial flare as they run between buses at the bus terminal with their wheelbarrowsvying for business to collect and deliver cargo for clients.

The shoe-shine boys will ask you for $1 for a shine as you walk past. Although a little cheeky at times they do a great job and your dollar helps put food on the table for families.
Midnight BBQ’s
More entrepreneurs as bbq’s magically appear on Victoria Parade to cater for clubbers who have worked up an appetite dancing and drinking at Suva’s club scene. For around $5-6 you can ease those hunger pains and look forward to a good nights sleep.

Colo-i-Suva
Only 11 kilometres from Suva at an altitude of 122- 183 meters, visitors can experience 6.5 kilometres of trails through the lush forest flanking the upper drainage area of the Waisila Creek.

Mahogany trees found there are native to Central America and were logged in the 1950s. The park first opened in 1973.

In the midst of lovely green forests, with the city of Suva in full view, you may spot a few native butterflies, birds, reptiles and frogs. Its pristine beauty will make it hard for visitors to believe that the forest is only 11 kilometres away from the capital of Fiji.

Located in the midst of this National Park is Raintree Lodge set on the edge of an inland lake that used to be a quarry. The lodge offers private and backpacker facilities. Mein host, Tom is always happy to have chat over a couple of drinks.

Activities

Hiking – trek through the lush forests of Colo-i-Suva and capture the natural flora and fauna of Fiji just 11 kilometres away from the Capital.

Golf – catch a game of golf at the Fiji Golf Club. Immaculate greens with 18 holes guarantee an avid golfer a great match

Clubbing – Experience some of the best clubs offered outside of Sydney’s Kings Cross. Cover charge to clubs are normally $3-$5 where clients can enjoy their drinks and also spend time with friends.

The Hibiscus Festival – an annual event which brings Suva residents together in an all out effort to raise funds for those less fortunate.

The Suva Yacht Club – Wander in and have a chat with locals and old-time residents. It’s located right on the water and you may even crack it to crew on race day.

Suva - a perfect blend of colonial charm and modern facilities

Rewa Delta Activities Bamboo Raft Trip:  An exciting bamboo raft trip is offered from Naitauvoli village to Naivucini. Trips cost around $50 per person. A bamboo raft will be constructed for your two-hour river trip. Sightseeing:  Day trips to historical sites are offered. Trekking:  Experienced hikers can do the two-day trek from the Cross Island Highway to Wainimakutu through the rainforest. A strong fast hiker will take three hours to get from Balea on the highway to Nasava then another four over the ridge  Molituva Fortress The village of Molituva in Teilevu, not too far from Suva is showcasing their unique old village fort to locals and more importantly to tourists as a tourist attraction. Technical expertise and funding has enabled this small village to restore the fort which has attracted day trippers. This project is also seen as a preservation and conservation technique for culture and traditional practices at Molituva. Recent research has identified that traditional cultures and norms are rapidly replaced and quickly forgotten due to influencing western lifestyle. This project has seen the villagers take a more planned approach to revitalize and preserve their culture, traditions, dances and attire. Suva and environs is a fascinating Fiji experience with a difference. Come and see Fiji’s urban lifestyle merged with the natural environment that typifies Fiji to the core. If you haven’t seen the capital city of a country you haven’t seen the country.