ATTRACTION OF NADI TOWN
Nadi was predominately a sugar town which gradually underwent transition to be a tourism oriented town after Nadi Airport was declared the first International Airport. Nadi became a town in 1972 and to date its population stands at 15,000 and it has a total area of 602.4 hectares. Nadi is located in the Nadi Bay on the western side of Viti Levu, approximately 40 km from the city of Lautoka towards Sigatoka town and 80km from the town of Sigatoka.
Nadi is the gateway to Fiji through its International Airport. It is the focal point of onshore and offshore resorts and the natural playground for visitors with an unparalleled choice of accommodation to suit all budgets and a host of activities to keep everyone happy.
Nadi Town centre is set a mile inland from the coast and most accommodation sits alongside the busy road connecting the town and Nadi International Airport, a distance of about 10km. Taxis are always available at Nadi International Airport (about F$10 to town) and there is an excellent network of buses (just F$1 to town). Most of the hotels and resorts are located along the main highway at Namaka or Martintar. These include the delightful Tanoa International Hotel and the Novotel Nadi Hotel (with a 9-hole pitch and putt golf course) both set on a prominent hill overlooking the airport. Directly opposite the airport is the convenient Tokatoka Resort with its lovely swimming pool and Raffles Gateway, with a more sedate atmosphere. Nearer down in the suburb of Martintar is the Mercure Hotel and Nadi Bay Hotel which are close to several good restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
The beach areas of Wailoaloa and New Town are located about a mile from Martintar (infrequent buses mean you can feel cut off here) and offer several lovely small resorts and backpacker hostels with views of the offshore islands. The pick of the bunch are Club Fiji Resort and Aquarius Resort, both aimed at the budget market. Also worth considering is Beachside Resort, with simple yet clean budget rooms and bungalows although the resort is set a good 500 yards inland from a mangrove coastline - it's at least five minute walk to a rather ordinary beach.
Just offshore (connected by small bridge, 25 minutes by road from the international airport) is Denarau Island and the lifestyle resort complex such as Sheraton Fiji, Sheraton Villa, Westin, Sofitel, Hilton, Golf Terrace, Raddison and Wyndham. These offer the most upmarket resorts in the Nadi Area. Of the Sheraton Resorts, the upgraded Sheraton Fiji recently opened on 1st Nov 2008 and is the most up market of the Sheraton group. Next door are the Sheraton Villas which offer 2- and 3-bedroom suites ideal for families. Adjacent to the Villas is the traditionally styled Westin Denarau. . Next comes the Sofitel, Hilton which offers owner occupied apartments and the newest being the Radisson. You will also find private residential homes, boutique shops, restaurants and golf and tennis centre although the golf course is very flat. Overlooking the golf course is the Golf Terraces which offer 1 to 3 bed apartments ideal for golf lovers and families. The beach on Denarau stretches for a couple of miles and makes for great beach walking - however, the sand is brownish from the nearby mangrove swamps and the sea is usually too murky for snorkelling. Most of the day cruises to the offshore islands as well as island resort transfers leave from Denarau Marina. Also based here is Shotover Jet, a thrill speed boat ride through the nearby mangrove channels with 360 degree spins.
About twenty minutes north of the airport is Vuda Point with its stunning views over the bay and of the surrounding mountains. Vuda has a picturesque sandy beach although the lagoon is too shallow for swimming or snorkelling. There are two Resorts here which make pleasant bases - First Landing Resort is next to the Marina and has the convenience of both day cruises and dive excursions to the offshore islands on its doorstep, and Anchorage Beach Resort lies between Viseisei Village and the Oil Terminals - it has exquisite mountain views but the sugar train track cuts right in front of the villas beside the beach and can be a nuisance at night during the harvesting season of June to December. There are several attractions in this region including the spectacular Garden of the Sleeping Giants with its wonderful Orchid Gardens, the slightly grubby natural hot springs of Sabeto River Valley and further north, inland from Lautoka, Koroyanitu National Park with its hiking trails and overnight accommodation.
As soon as you leave Nadi Town, the rural countryside of sugar cane farms takes over. There are pleasant views along the roadside of the Nadi Highlands and just 10-minutes south of town is Sonaisali Island Resort, a two minute boat ride from the mangrove forests along the coast. This is another popular resort with easy access to both the offshore islands and the sightseeing around Nadi and the Coral Coast.
Nadi's greatest attractions are the surrounding mountains which can be explored on day tours.
Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple
A striking feature is the Hindu temple at the southern end of town. The Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere and is a 'must stop' for visitors wishing to experience the cultural and architectural diversity for which Fiji is well known.
The three-part Sri Siva Subramaniya temple is dedicated to the deity Murugan whose statue, specially carved in India, is housed in the main temple. The second part of the complex is Ganesh temple, while the third section is the Meenakshi and Shiva temple.
The intricate craftsmanship of the individual statues within the temple is the work of eight craftsmen brought to Fiji from India. The height, weight, and width of each design has a specific religious meaning and the main sanctum of the building has been built to conform to the size of the statue it will house so that the correct vibrations are present for devotees during prayer.
The traditional Dravidian architecture of the temple is rarely seen outside India, and is, according to traditions, laid down thousands of years ago. If you decide to visit this unique structure, please remember this is a Holy Hindu Shrine and show the appropriate respect.
A half-hour drive south will bring the visitor to Natadola beach, one of the outstanding beaches in Fiji. Visitors to Nadi have many options for tours to villages, cultural centers, cruises to islands and along rivers to remote villages where they will be treated to a yaqona ceremony, traditional entertainment, a village meal and in some cases also have the opportunity to witness pottery being made in a time-honored way. They can also visit an old fort site and take a road tour of the highlands or to the orchid gardens below the Sabeto Mountain Range to the north.
Garden of Sleeping Giants
Located about half an hour from Nadi the Garden of Sleeping Giants is a beautiful orchid range started in 1977 by the late Raymond Burr, star of Perry Mason and Ironside.
Originally designed to house Burr's private collection of tropical orchids, the gardens have developed into a popular attraction after years of flourishing. Raymond Burr loved these orchids just as much as he loved Fiji.
The gardens showcase more than two thousand different kinds of orchids, covering 20 hectares. For an entry fee of just $10, you can wander through the lush and fertile plantation to your heart's content. Right next door is Raymond Burr's holiday shack, which is also open to visitors.
The shack still contains a few items that belonged to the superstar, including photographs, his favorite chair and even his walking cane. It costs about $8 to see the house, and the entry price includes a delightful afternoon tea.
Whether you are into gardens or not, the Garden of the Sleeping Giants is sure to take your breath away. The exquisite beauty of the garden is unsurpassed by most, housing one of the world’s largest orchid collections plus beautiful cultivated greenery and enchanting lily ponds, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is not to be missed. Take a picnic and enjoy the peace and serenity of some of the most stunning gardens on earth. The gardens are open Monday to Saturdays – 9 am to 5 pm.
Shopping/Business and shopping hours
Handicraft, jewellery including traditional and souvenir, souvenir garments and other duty free items. Shopping hours are from 8.00a.m. to 7.00p.m. Sunday and Public Holiday trading is also permitted.
Shopping facilities
Handicrafts shops, drapery shops, supermarkets, shopping malls, pharmacies. Shopping facilities are also available in major hotels within the Nadi area on a 24-hours basis.
Although many hotels and resorts have shopping on site, Nadi town is a popular shopping destination. Jewellery, cameras, high fidelity audio equipment, clothes, handicrafts, artefacts, souvenir items, original artworks are among the many items on offer.
Sporting facilities
Available at Nadi Sports Club, Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, Nadi Airport Golf Club and Prince Charles Park for more organized sporting events.
Entertainment facilities/services
Night clubs, cinemas and hotel - dance and Karaoke
Events and organised activities
The Bula Festival is a nationally recognized festival which stands on an equal footing with the Hibiscus Festival in Suva and the Sugar Festival in Lautoka. It normally takes place in July. There are also organised Rugby and Soccer matches played at club, provincial and national level during the weekends. Nadi is a powerhouse in soccer and is the undisputed kings of rugby union football this year, having won the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy which is Fiji’s premier challenge trophy and the Digicel Cup for the National 15s competition. The Nadi-Lautoka-Ba rugby franchise known as the Western Crusaders won the Colonial Cup at the early in 2008.
