Experience Fiji’s Natural Beauty

Photo Credit: Tourism Fiji Website

Fiji is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. It has enchanting waterfalls, lush vegetation and exotic wildlife all in a tropical climate. Some of the top places to experience Fiji’s natural beauty are listed below:

Koroyanitu National Heritage Park
If you are a keen walker or nature lover, the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park is definitely worth a visit. There are six villages within the park that cooperate as part of an ecotourism project. They maintain the landscape and tracks, and subsequently earn tourist dollars through village stays and manning the office.

Those who make the climb to the summit of Castle Rock, from Nase Lodge, will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Mamanucas and Yasawas. A marked track leads its way up; it takes about four hours (one way). There is also a two-hour hike that takes in a waterfall, the terraced gardens at Tunutunu and the Navuratu village site. A full-day hike to Mt Koroyanitu visits the remains of a fortified village.

Colo-i-Suva Forest Park
This lush rainforest park, pronounced tholo-ee-soo-va, is a 2.5-sq-km oasis teaming 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.

Bouma National Heritage Park
This national park protects over 80% of Taveuni’s total area, covering about 150 sq km (57 sq mi) of rainforest and coastal forest. The park has the three Tavoro Waterfalls near the falls’ visitor centre, each with natural swimming pools. The first waterfall is about 24m (78ft) high and only 10 minutes’ walk along a flat cultivated path.

The second waterfall, 30 or 40 minutes along, is a bit smaller but also has a good swimming pool. The track is quite steep in places but has steps, handrails and lookout spots to rest. If you are a keen walker, try the Vidawa Rainforest Trail.

Source: Lonely Planet