Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Navua), or north to Monasavu before eventually connecting with Tavua on the north coast of
Viti Levu.
Tours
Guided longboat trips (F$125) are offered by Discover Fiji Tours ( 345 0180,
discoverfijitours.com
)
, an enterprising local operator, based just before the market stalls in
Navua when coming in off the Queens Rd. If you fancy floating on a traditional
bilibili
, a raft
of bamboo poles strapped together using vines, or tubing down the mild rapids, opt for the
less commercial overnight tour (from F$160 a day), staying in a local village.
ACCOMMODATION
Koro Makawa Homestay
4km north of Navua 345 0180,
discoverfijitours.com/accom-
modation.html
;
map
.
Discover Fiji has its own accommodation beside the Navua River in
traditional bures. Rates include
meals,
and visitors can join local men to fish, as well as par-
ticipating in adventure activites.
F$140
Wainadoi
Leaving Navua, the main Queens Road continues east through the sparse flats of the river
delta, dotted with ancient pandanus trees and massive banyans whose roots descend from its
branches like balls of rope. Beyond, on the mountain side of the highway, is
WAINODOI
,
home to
Spices of Fiji
(Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun noon-4.30pm; F$10; 336 2851,
spices-
spices in production. Alternatively you can zoom through the forest canopy 30m up on a zip
line operated by
Zip Fiji
(daily 8am-8pm; F$225 per person; 930 0545,
zip-fiji.com
).
North Viti Levu
At first glance
North Viti Levu
, with its rolling sunburnt hills and succession of dusty
inland towns, might appear rather dreary. But delve a little deeper and you'll discover some
charming unexpected sites. The raw
Ba hinterland
boasts Fiji's most spectacular tradition-
al village, Navala, while further east and also inland is Fiji's highest mountain, Tomanivi,
which can be conquered on a pleasant but arduous half-day hike. Off the undulating coast of
Rakiraki
, the tranquil island of
Nananu-i-Ra
has fabulous diving and is a popular retreat
with budget travellers. Further east, the most scenic roadside views in Fiji are to be found
around
Viti Levu Bay
, with the high peaks of the Nakauvadra Range rising from the flat sug-
arcane fields.
The Ba hinterland
The most scenic road from Nadi to North Viti Levu heads inland along a dirt track through
the
Ba hinterland
. The road passes the remote village of
Navala
with its traditional thatch
houses before rejoining the Kings Road five hours later at the dusty town of
Ba
. Further east,
the charming one-street Indian-dominated town of
Tavua
is a wonderful place to soak up the
