Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
which is popular with local kids. It's an excellent day-trip from Nadi, despite the persist-
ent touts from the local village who will try to sell you handicrafts or a ride on a mangy
horse (around F$25). It's also the departure point for transfers to the lively backpacker resort,
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: NATADOLA BEACH AND AROUND
By car
The initial journey from Nadi passes through flat featureless sugarcane fields for
17km before cutting inland through dense pine forests just after the Momi Bay turn-off. The
longer, winding old coastal road from Momi Bay to Likuri Harbour is far more scenic. When
the old coastal road rejoins the Queens Rd, it's only another 4km to the Natadola turn-off.
By bus
Paradise Transport buses connect Natadola with Sigatoka (4 daily; 1hr; F$3.25).
ACCOMMODATION
Natadola Beach Resort
672 1001,
natadola.com
;
map
.
A no-kids resort with just eleven
“suites” set in tropical garde
ns, ea
ch with its own private courtyard. Close to the beach and
with friendly, warm service.
F$250
Robinson Crusoe Island Resort
628 1999,
robinsoncrusoeislandfiji.com
;
map
.
Lively
resort with attractive traditional-style bures and lodges. Features lots of organized activities
and pseudo tribal entertainment (which may not be every
one's
cup
of tea)
, but t
here's
good
snorkelling on the outer reef. Rates include meals. Dorms
F$31
; bure
F$115
;
lodge
F$149
Sigatoka and around
Often incorporated into the tourist region of the Coral Coast, the busy market centre of
SIGATOKA
marks the southern boundary of the dry leeward side of Viti Levu. The town
itself is located 4km inland on the banks of the Sigatoka River and acts as a hub for the re-
gion. To the west is the
Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park
, where ancient Lapita pottery
shards lie buried in the sand; walking trails criss-cross the dunes, and there's good surfing
offshore. Inland, the Sigatoka River, the longest in Fiji, winds north for 120km to Nadarivatu
at the foothills of
Mount Tomanivi
. The lower portion of the river valley makes for good ex-
ploring by car, but there are no designated walking trails other than the steep track weaving
around
Tavuni Hill Fort
. Eight kilometres east of Sigatoka is
Korotogo Beach
, a pleasant
resort area with a variety of accommodation, several restaurants and the
Kula Eco Park
, a
good place to see native Fijian wildlife.
