Self-Drive in Fiji: 7 & 12 Day Itineraries
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Self-Drive in Fiji: 7 & 12 day itineraries Why choose a self-drive holiday? Self-drive holidays offer a flexible touring experience that allows you to discover Fiji and its best kept secrets at your own pace. Exploring Fiji by car lets you enjoy all that Fiji is famous for – stunning beaches, picturesque coastlines, quaint villages, friendly locals and much more. Pack your self-drive tour with adventure or simply enjoy the spectacular scenery as you meander on your journey – the choice is yours. Driving Conditions In Fiji, driving is on the left side of the road, with the maximum speed limit being 80 km/h, though it is only 50km/h in residential areas. Though sealed roads are usually well-constructed, drivers should keep an eye out for potholes, as well as speed bumps on roads near some villages, which may be larger than they appear. Villagers can also wander close to moving vehicles or sit in groups on the edges of highways, so extra care should be taken when driving near villages. Animals, such as cattle, goats and horses, can also pose a risk as they feed on the grass verges of highways and can wander across the road unexpectedly. Fiji Rental Cars Fiji recognises driving licenses from New Zealand and other English- speaking countries. There are many car rental agencies and rental desks can be found in every major hotel. If you are interested in driving to more remote areas, you can also rent a 4WD vehicle. There are service stations near all major towns, though there are very few in some of the rural areas. If you find that you are running out of fuel on a back road, you can try the local village shops, which frequently sell fuel. Avis / www.avis.com.fj Budget / www.budget.com.fj Bulacar Rentals / www.bulacarrentals.com.fj Dove Rent-a-Car / www.doverentals.com/ Explore Fiji – your journey,, Europcar Fiji / www.europcar.co.nz/branches/fiji Koromakawa Rentals and Tours Thrifty Car Rentals / www.rentalcars.com/en/country/fj/thrifty your pace, your adventure Trueblue Rent-a-Car / www.truebluerentacar.com itd0461 TF Self Drive Fiji Flyer.indd 1 15/02/16 12:36 PM • Relax and unwind from driving at Sabeto Hot Springs, located on Wailoko Rd in Sabato, between Nadi and Lautoka. The pools offer a series of natural hot springs and mud pools with the sulphur in the mud believed to have healing powers. • Near Sabato, Sleeping Giant Zipline Fiji offers an outdoor Seven Day Itinerary adventure tour with five zips and the Orchid Falls Jungle Safari suitable for adults and children. Advance bookings are required. • Located inland from Ba, Navala Village is a traditional 200 year old Fijian village deep in the interior mountain landscape. It is the only authentic Fijian village with thatched bures and a central village green [rara]. Partake in the traditional welcome kava ceremony, tour the village, school, mingle with the villagers and cool off in the fresh water river of Navala. The road to Navala Village can be accessed from the town of Ba and a 4WD is recommended. Visitors are required to bring with them a bundle of Yaqona for their ‘sevusevu’ [presentation] to Day 1: Nadi to Rakiraki the village chief. Driving distance: • Stop in on the Tavua Hotel, a quaint colonial hotel overlooking 118 kilometres Vatia Bay and Tavua town, which sits between Ba and Rakiraki. Driving time: • Don’t miss Mount Victoria [Mt Tomani-ni-ivi], Fiji’s highest 2 hours mountain. The best way to do this is with Talanoa Treks on their overnight excursion see www. talanoa-treks-fiji.com. Park the Leaving Nadi car for a few days at Rakiraki and book a trek. behind you, you’ll start • The historic St Francis of Xavier Church is located southeast of your self-drive Rakiraki and dates back to 1917. Its scenic location overlooks adventure Viti Levu Bay and the church is famous for its mural discovering the of a black Christ, painted by Jean Charlot in 1962. Bookings can Sun Coast. The be arranged at your resort tour desk. Coast stretches along the northern shore of Viti Levu and offers • Visit Malake Island just off the coast of mainland Rakiraki. With some of the most picturesque scenery and longest sunshine a population of just over 200 people it is only five minutes boat hours. The region enjoys spectacular sunrise and sunsets, and ride from Volivoli Beach Resort. Bookings can be arranged at breathtaking views of Nananu-i-ra Island, a 12-15 minute boat your hotel tour desk. ride off-shore. This beautiful stretch of country offers many points of interest and scenic highlights along the way, including Accommodation at Rakiraki [one night] several historic sites of early settlement. These include Viseisei Options include: Village on Vuda Point between Nadi and Lautoka, considered by • Volivoli Beach Resort / www.volivoli.com some to be the beginning of the Fijian race and also home of the Tui Vuda, the high chief of the area. On-route you’ll take in the • Wananavu Beach Resort / www.wananavu.com towns of Lautoka – known as the Sugar City because of its sugar • Tanoa Rakiraki / www.tanoarakiraki.com cane belt areas, Ba and Tavua, before reaching your beautiful overnight destination of Rakiraki. Day 2: Rakiraki To Suva Highlights Driving Distance: • Before you hit the road, sample the delicious food at local 159 kilometres eateries Bulaccino Café and Taste Fiji in Nadi. Driving time: • Located in Nadi Town by the water’s edge and specialising in 2 hours 30 local traditional Fijian, Indian and Chinese cuisines is The New minutes Nadi Farmers Market. It offers life music in the evening and a Departing Rakiraki, big screen for live sports games. you’ll drive south • Explore Nadi’s Sri Subramanian Swami Temple, the largest and down the Eastern finest South Indian temple of its kind in the South Pacific. side of the island. Visitors are welcome during the day but shoes must be removed A stop at Takalana and legs covered. Bay Retreat • Tu’s Place in Nadi offers a selection of breakfast dishes 35km north west including the renowned Tu’s big Breakfast. of Korovou Town is recommended, to watch the captivating • The Garden of the Sleeping Giant sits at the foothills of the spinner dolphins found only at Moon Reef, a 20 minute boat ride Nausori Highlands on Wailoko Road about 20 minutes’ drive away. Continuing your drive south, you’ll pass thorough many north of Nadi. The attractive landscaped gardens specialise in villages and towns, including the larger centre of Nausori. From Fiji’s native plants as well as housing an impressive collection Nausori you may choose to take a passenger ferry [leaving your of orchids, some native. A jungle walk takes visitors past a car in Nausori], to Levuka, the first colonial capital of Fiji. [Please large lily pond and through native forest. note an overseas stay is required with ferries leaving Nausori at 8.00am and returning from Levuka at 8.40am.] Arriving at Suva • Take some time to explore Lautoka before refuelling at Blue you can explore the bustling and highly multicultural regional Ginger Café & Deli [Elizabeth Square, downtown Lautoka]. Or centre. A modern city which still has many buildings dating back sample the vast array of authentic Indian vegetarian dishes at to the colonial era, Suva offers parks, gardens, museums, outdoor Kruepa Restaurant [Vidilo Street]. activities and a vibrant nightlife. • Pop in to the Friend Fiji’s Office/Shop in Lautoka to purchase locally made Fiji jams, pickles, chutneys, teas, handmade cards Highlights and handicrafts to help support poverty alleviation in Fiji. • If it’s Saturday, take the opportunity to visit Pure Fiji’s state-of- • 10 kms southeast of Lautoka is Koroyanitu National Heritage the-art manufacturing facility on a two-acre property in Suva, Park, offering the most accessible walking trails of Fiji’s two capital of the Fiji Islands. The Pure Fiji complex at 52 Karsanji National Heritage Parks. Access to the park is best by 4WD from St, Vatuwaqa, Suva complex boasts an internationally renowned Lautoka via Tavakubu Road off Drasa Avenue. It takes thirty Day Spa, Health and Wellness Centre, Yoga, Pilates and Fitness minutes to reach Abaca village, headquarters for the park. studio, as well as a herb, spice and vegetable garden. itd0461 TF Self Drive Fiji Flyer.indd 2 15/02/16 12:36 PM • Situated just off the Princess Road three kilometres inland at the back of Pacific Harbour. The panoramic views with is Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, a pristine area of low-altitude outlooks on the Pacific Ocean and the waterfall trip are all rainforest where there’s a good chance of spotting wild orchids spectacular must-sees. Situated on the main Queens Highway in the park as well as endemic birds, including the Pink-billed in Pacific Harbour almost opposite the Police Post, there is a Parrot finch. An easy one-hour nature trail leads to a couple large sign on the road. of small waterfalls with pools good for swimming and nearby • Visit Baka Blues Café near the Arts Village for New Orleans picnic benches. inspired tunes and delicious food. • Make a visit to the Nasili Village Pottery Tour. The ferry departs Nasali Landing (outside Nausori Town) for Nasilai Village for a Accommodation at Pacific Harbour [two nights]: village visit, pottery demonstration and pottery sales. The ferry Options include cost if FJD15 return and FJD5 for the village visit. For bookings, • Uprising Beach Resort / www.uprisingbeachresort.com call Mr Raoma (679) 362 8553 • The Pearl South Pacific Resort Fiji / • Thrill the local children with a visit [and take a www.thepearlsouthpacific.com gift] to the Dilkusha Girls Home, a girls’ orphanage in Nausori.