Mountains to Conquer

Joske's Thumb - Suva

Dominating the hills behind Suva Harbour stands a rocky pinnacle called Joske's Thumb, this conspicuous lava plug is visible from almost anywhere in the Capital on a clear day. It was named Joske's Thumb in honour of Mr.A.B. Brewster, who later changed his name to Joske's. (Pronounced Josky). Brewster's family had pioneered the sugar industry in Fiji with the importation of the machinery required to open the country's first sugar mill.

The sheer vertical faces of the plug once caught the interest of Sir Edmund Hillary. The conqueror of Everest failed to scale the thumb on his first try, but proved successful in his second attempt. Joske's Thumb is also a famous as a nesting place for the late Mrs. Gwen Watkins of Orchid Island. She reared the chicks and sent them off to an American aviary.

How to get there:
Stage Buses.. shore Buses Ltd/Pacific Transport Ltd/Sunbeam Transport Ltd from Suva's main bus station, ask the driver to drop you off at Naikorokoro Road along the main Queens Road (right past Monfort Boys town). Bus fare F$0.82 cents

Walk inland towards village; seek permission of village elder/spokesman to proceed up the Thumb. Journey up is a three hours walk with village guide. Last leg of journey is very steep, so be careful! You could journey back the long way or the short way, follow the village guide always. Those with vehicles can drive in and park at the village

Lake Tagimaucia - Taveuni: 1241m

On the fringe of a remote lake, four thousand feet above sea level in the middle of a dormant volcano on Taveuni grows of the rarest flowers in the world. Tagimaucia that is simply unique to the island, it's tropical rain forests, waterfalls and its variety of birds and so much more.
Trips to the lake can be arranged at the hotel of your choice in Taveuni

Mt Korobaba Range - Suva

Mt korobaba is 464metres; range overlooks the whole Suva, rewa, Beqa Island, Yanuca Island, Serua Island, Kadavu island etc. View is awesome! though steep in parts, this is a fairly easy mountain, the grass is greener, the surrounding is much stiller and a dense of tropical rain forests. For those who are fit it will take an hour to reach the top and return; first timers will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. take plenty of water, picnic lunch and suncream

Transportation:
Take a local bus from Suva bus station to the cement factory in Lami. Bus fare: F$0.42 cents per person one way. Going in groups is highly recommended. No entry fee required.

Mt Victoria (Tomani-ni-ivi) - Navai

Mt Victoria is the highest mountain in Fiji. It is 4,341 feet or 1323 metres above sea level. You do not need to make reservations for this trip. Just hop on the bus from Tavua town and get off navai Village. Enjoy your scenic bus rid of the highlands & evergreen hills
Journey: 2 hours one way; way back : approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

Accommodation:
Experience staying in a thatched hut (bure) at the turaga-ni-koro's house (village spokesman). Please take along 1kg pounded yaqona or yaqona in root form.

Food: Taste the variety of local cuisine & delicacies!

Transportation:
Tavua General transport leaves daily except Sunday from Town. fare F$2.50 one way. Departs Tavua at 3.00pm; arrive navai at 5.30pm. Departs Navai at 7.00am arrive Tavua at 9.30am

Village / Home Stays:

Abaca Village and Recreational Park,
P.O Box 6729,
Lautoka
Tel/Fax: (679) 6651168
Email: semilotawa@is.com.fj

Accommodation cost per person is F$15.00 in their 12 bed lodge with cooking facilities, shared toilets and showers for guests. Their homestay program where a visitor lives with and becomes a part of a family in the koro (village) is F$20.00.