About Suva

Suva has one of the most beautiful sites for a capital city anywhere in the world. It is on a 15 sq km peninsula with vistas of ocean and mountains appearing at each turn. It has one of the finest naturally protected harbors in the South Seas.

The capital of Fiji since 1883, it is home for about 100,000 people one eighth of the population of the Fiji Islands. It is a truly multicultural City with Indigenous Fijians, Indians, Chinese, South East Asians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians, Australians, New Zealanders, Europeans and many Fijians of multi ethnic backgrounds.

Suva is the nightlife capital of the South Seas with a variety of Night Clubs, Bars and Restaurants serving cuisine from all around the world as well as local delicacies. It is also a Mecca for shopping. There are up-market shops in the main street selling gold and pearls, particularly the famous Fijian Black pearls, as well as clothes, surf and sports ware.

The old town is also great for bargain hunting as are the large craft and flea markets.Amongst it’s sights, Suva has a variety of churches, mosques and temples. Also see the beautiful colonial colonnades in Renwick Road, the Grand Pacific Hotel,Government Buildings and the modern but traditionally inspired Parliament Buildings. Drive around the peninsular on Queen Elizabeth Drive with the Ocean on one side and the Presidents Palace and great Council of Chiefs on the other.Visit Suva Museum to get in touch with the history of Fiji and its many people.

Things to Do 6 Attraction must see in Suva

Colo-I-Suva Forest Park

Colo-I-Suva Forest Park offers hiking trails, swimming, and birdwatching.

This is a lovely walk around a sub tropical rainforest, with a number of tracks, which lead to a series of waterfalls. It is surrounded by Beautiful wildlife and tropical gardens.

This lush rainforest park, pronounced tholo-ee-soo-va, is a 2.5-sq-km oasis teeming with vivid and melodic birdlife and tropical flora. The 6.5km of walking trails navigate clear natural pools and gorgeous vistas, with just a touch of Indiana Jones in the rope swings over water and stone steps across streams. Sitting at an altitude of 120m to 180m, it’s a cool and peaceful respite from Suva’s urban hubbub.

Flowing through the forest is the Waisila Creek, which makes its way down to the Waimanu River and is the water catchment for the Nausori/Nasinu areas. The creek gives rise to natural swimming holes, and there are picnic tables, shelters and change rooms as well as a superb lookout. Dense patches of mahogany distinguish themselves from the native vegetation. Planted after a period of aggressive logging in the 1940s and ’50s, they have stabilised the topsoil without impinging on the indigenous vegetation.

Among the wildlife are 14 different bird species, including scarlet robins, spotted fantails, Fiji goshawks, sulphur-breasted musk parrots, Fiji warblers, golden doves and barking pigeons.

Colo-i-Suva Forest Park is located 11km north of Suva on Princes Rd. The visitor information centre is on the left side of the road as you approach from Suva; buy your ticket here and then head to the entrance booth on the other side of the road. Before entering ask the guards about the security situation within the park. In recent years there have been some distressing attacks and as the park is open to the public, it’s difficult to monitor who goes in and out. You can pay an additional fee (on asking) to have a guard accompany you and if travelling alone this is definitely recommended.

The park receives an annual rainfall of 420cm, with showers about four days each week. The trails can be extremely slippery so be sure to wear good footwear. If you drive out to the park, leave any valuables at the visitor information centre.

The Sawani bus leaves Suva bus station every half-hour and takes 20 minutes to get there. If driving, take Princes Rd out of Suva, past Tamavua and Tacirua villages.

Fiji Museum

You’ll see a marvelous collection of war clubs, cannibal forks, tanoa bowls, shell jewelry, and other relics in this excellent museum.

Although some artifacts were damaged by Suva’s humidity while they were hidden away during World War II, much remains.

Later additions include the rudder and other relics of HMS Bounty, burned and sunk at Pitcairn Island by Fletcher Christian and the other mutineers in 1789 but recovered in the 1950s by the famed National Geographic photographer Luis Marden.

Don’t miss the masi (bark) cloth and Indian art exhibits in the air-conditioned upstairs galleries.

The gift shop is worth a browse

Suva Market

A vast array of tropical produce is offered for sale at Suva’s main supplier of food, the largest and most lively market in Fiji.

If they aren’t too busy, the merchants will appreciate your interest and answer your questions about the names and uses of the various fruits and vegetables.

The market teems on Saturday morning, when it seems the entire population of Suva shows up to shop and select television programs for the weekend’s viewing: A telling sight about urban life in the modern South Pacific is that of a Fijian carrying home in one hand a bunch of taro roots tied together with pandanus (palm leaves), and, in the other, a collection of rented videocassettes stuffed into a plastic bag.

Thurston Gardens

Thurston Gardens, Suva is one of the most favorite places in the city for those who get tired of visiting sightseeing and tourist attractions of the city. The cool tropical ambiance within the garden provides some relief and pleasure from the hectic schedule of traveling and sightseeing. Thurston Gardens, Suva is one of the 78 parks and gardens in the city and newly established and added some extra beauty to the city. Thurston Gardens in Suva is located in the downtown and close to the other tourist attraction in the city, Albert Park.

Thurston Garden was built in 1913 as the first ever botanical garden in the city of Suva. Sine its establishment it serves as a relaxation center in the city for both local people as well as the international tourists. Tourists can sit and relax at the garden after the tiring schedule of traveling to various places of attraction.

The botanical garden houses some of the rare species of trees, plants and colorful flowers. The garden was named after the fifth Governor of Fiji, Sir John Bates Thurston and dedicated to his memory. The famous garden enjoys an interesting landscape which is fully covered by green tropical trees from South Specific. The rare species of floras and faunas are the ideal subject for research. Scientists and botanists love to explore the place.

Suva tours are not complete without paying a quick visit to the place from taking a cool break from the streets of Suva. The place is also popular among the children. They love to go to the garden and play on their own.

Albert Park

Was made famous by Charles Kingsford Smith, the first aviator to cross the Pacific in little Fokker trimotor , “ The Southern Cross” for this heroic trip from California to Australia the Longest leg was the 34 hour trip from Hawaii to Fiji, Albert was made in a makeshift landing strip for Kingsford Arrival and trees were still being cleared after Smith had already left Hawaii.

The southern cross and it crew arrived on June 6, 1926 and was welcomed by a crowd of thousands which included colonial dignitaries who has gathered at the Grand Pacific Hotel to witness and celebrate this Major event.

Municipal Handicraft Centre

Located few minutes’ walk form de Vos on the Park and near the Suva Water Front. Suva Municipal Handicraft Center is shopper’s paradise for tourist from all corners of the earth to have the best bargains as far as handicraft goods are concerned.

With a variety of shops and stalls to browse through, you will find your shopping experience loving and delightful as you will certainly find goods that meet your taste and budget.

Handmade Fijian Handicrafts are certainly something that you cannot afford to missed out as it is a much loved spot for tourist