Fiji is famed for its brilliant beaches and azure waters, but this South Pacific archipelago’s charms extend to its cities and villages, which are dotted with exceptional food and cultural experiences.
Surprises abound, too. You can ride an inner tube down a rainforest-lined river, dine in a treehouse, or dance the tropical night away in an iconic dive bar. Planning a trip and having trouble deciding where to start? Here’s a primer – and take at Qantas Luxury Holidays for curated exclusive offers that are available for a limited time only.
Eat
Nanuku Resort treetop dining
How often can you eat a gourmet meal in a treehouse among the branches of a 70-year-old tree, suspended above a pristine beach? Views of the ocean dominate every angle from Nanuku Resort, located on the southern shores of the main island of Viti Levu, so it’s no surprise seafood rules the roost here. Prepared by your own personal chef, expect fresh dishes of lobster, trout, octopus, tuna and snapper, plucked from the nearby Beqa Lagoon by local fishers. Choose from a champagne breakfast, private lunch, afternoon Devonshire tea, a romantic dinner for two, or even a treetop spa treatment.
Kanu Fiji
Let award-winning chef Lance Seeto guide you through paddock-to-plate Fijian cuisine at Kanu, a bright new star in Fiji’s dining scene. Kanu has outlets in both Suva and Nadi, with the Suva incarnation housed in a colonial-style bungalow that was once home to Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, the celebrated Fijian scholar and statesman.
The menu at both restaurants champions fresh produce from local suppliers, including artisan cheese and bread makers. Standout dishes include butter chicken rolls, spiced goat salad, palusami (taro leaves with coconut milk) spring rolls, coconut beef rendang and crumbed pearl oysters. Order a cocktail to start and then settle in for a leisurely feast.
Drink
Seventh Heaven
It’s hard to go past a day of sun, snorkelling, swimming, cocktails and pizza, particularly when it all takes place on a floating bar. Settle into a sun lounge and cruise the Mamanuca Islands, a 45-minute boat ride from Port Denarau on the main island. Explore the coral reefs, dabble in some kayaking or just lie back under an umbrella and watch paradise drift by. A highlight for the daredevils is plunging off the top deck into the ocean. The trip departs at 9am and takes around five hours.
Ed’s Bar
At some point in your trip, you want to unwind and meet locals and fellow travellers from all over the world, and Ed’s is the place for it. A Nadi stalwart since 1991, Ed’s Bar is the ultimate antidote to culture shock – a good time party bar where you feel instantly at home.
Ed’s has recently re-opened in a new location just opposite the Mercure Hotel in Martintar. There’s a pool table, dance floor, beer garden, no dress code and no pretension. The party generally starts late, so arrive after 11pm and prepare for a big one if you want the authentic Ed’s experience.
Do
Blue Lagoon Cruises
Specialising in small-ship cruising and staffed by local crew, Blue Lagoon Cruises offer different trips around the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands, ranging from three to seven nights. A stopover on a private, white-sand beach is included in the four- and seven-night cruises, where you can snorkel with tropical fish or kayak out to the coral reef, before sitting down to a meal cooked in the ground (called a lovo). The first night of every cruise visits Modriki Island, made famous as the filming location for the movie Cast Away. Go ashore and re-enact your favourite scene, before heading north to Soso Bay for a village visit, followed by an Indian dinner and an evening of Bollywood dancing and movies.
River Tubing
This one-day tubing trip down the Navua River, in the southern reaches of the main island of Viti Levu, is one for the adventurers. The day starts with a boat ride upstream, before you drift back through lush rainforests and dramatic gorges on inflatable inner tubes, with the occasional gentle rapid. Then stopping at a pristine waterfall for a swim and enjoying lunch at a riverside village. Proudly sustainable, River Tubing Fiji supports local communities by providing employment and paying a fee to landowners.
Stay
Vomo Island Resort
Vomo Island is a 91-hectare private island with a steep, volcanic cliff at one end and a luxurious resort at the other. There are 26 villas, all with freestanding bathtubs and luxe furnishings in neutral colours, echoing the palm trees and white sands that fringe the resort. Activities include snorkelling, kayaking and scuba diving, but you could also spend a whole day reading a book under a palm tree, drinking cocktails at Rocks Bar and Restaurant, or getting some pampering in the day spa. The cute nine-hole golf course is a lot of fun, too. The island is a 75-minute boat ride from Port Denarau on the main island of Viti Levu, or 15 minutes by helicopter from Nadi Airport.
Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
The luxurious Intercontinental presides over the paradise-like Natadola Beach, on the main island of Viti Levu. Modern guest rooms with king beds and Bose sound systems face either the lagoon, the pool or 14 hectares of manicured tropical gardens. Scuba diving, sailing and spa treatments are all on tap. Golfers will be happy with the championship golf course and dining options ranging from the fine diner Navo (a great choice for couples) to the more relaxed Kama Lounge, where you can sip cocktails and watch a live show on the famous beach.
