Sunshine Coast, Viti Levu
Scenic mountain ranges
Remote traditional villages
Coastline mostly mangrove forests; few decent beaches
Sparse and basic accommodation
Idyllic small island of Nananu-i-Ra with artisan community
Introduction
Viti Levu's Sunshine Coast is a quiet rural area with only a handful of places to stay. The reason for this is the lack of beaches (the exception being beautiful Nananu-i-Ra island) but the scenic mountain ranges make this a great place to explore. It is also within a few hours drive from Nadi International Airport. The region is dominated by sugarcane plantations and the vast gold mine at Vatukoula. There are several small market towns along the coast, each with a local produce market, basic shops and services as well as a colonial style hotel.
For the independent traveller, the region offers several mountain ranges for exploring, including Tomainivi with Fiji's highest peak. It is possible to arrange guided tours to these ranges but they are not well advertised and there are no marked trails. The drive from Lautoka to Ba is very scenic with rolling hills along the coastal road. East of Tavua is Yaqara, a huge cattle ranch. The mountain road inland from Yaqara leads to the impressive Nakauvudra Range which is steeped in legends. Stop at the villages enroute to find out more.
On the most northerly point of Viti Levu is the sleepy and rather dusty inland town of Rakiraki. The scenery around Rakiraki is lovely with hills off the road giving excellent views of the bays and mountains. Ellington Wharf on the coast is the departure point for Nananu-i-Ra island and there is usually a fishing boat ready to depart. The island has some lovely beaches and it is easy to walk around the island in less than half a day making it an excellent place for beachcombing. However, the real beauty of this island is its laid back atmosphere with a mixture of local artisans, European residents and independent travellers.
Sunshine Coast Accommodation
Go South to Nadi
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Getting There
The Sunshine Coast is accessed along the King's Highway between Lautoka and Suva. Public buses travel in both directions several times a day and are very cheap, although the journey can be tirelessly slow. Taxis are also cheap to hire and have stands at most of the resorts as well as all the towns. There is no commercial airport along the Sunshine Coast.
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