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Fraser Clements / Tourism Fiji
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Taveuni Island Resort
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Tourism Fiji
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Fraser Clements / Tourism Fiji
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Fraser Clements / Tourism Fiji
Veteran visitors to Fiji understand not only how easy it is to get there from Australia, but also how to get the most out of their trip – while many barely even scratch the surface beyond Nadi. This is the definitive guide on how to do Fiji properly, including the best time to travel, what all-inclusive really means, and which island is fit for your dream holiday.
Choose the right Fiji island for your travel style
Fiji is made up of more than 300 islands, each with its own character and distinct topography. To narrow it down, consider your travel style – are you craving adventure or complete relaxation?
Mamanuca Islands
Volcanic landscapes meet calm lagoons in the Mamanuca Islands, which are renowned not only for white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs, but also for being the filming location for the 2000 Tom Hanks movie Cast Away. This group of 20 isles is easily accessible from Nadi (between 30 minutes to two hours by ferry depending on the island) with plenty of standout resorts like Six Senses Fiji with its new private residences and Likuliku Lagoon Resort, which recently underwent a multi-million dollar transformation. This archipelago offers convenience without compromising on the true island experience – if you’ve only got a short window for your escape but dream of small-island serenity, then this is your pick.
Yasawa Islands
If you’re willing to go further for a more remote island escape, head for the Yasawa Islands, reachable in two hours or more by catamaran or under an hour by seaplane from Port Denarau. Framed by rugged cliffs and picturesque coves, it has an untouched feel and fewer fellow travellers. This archipelago is perfect for adventurous spirits, with diving, marine wildlife encounters and volcanic hiking trails – and you can island-hop to experience it all.
Coral Coast, Viti Levu
The Coral Coast is ideal for when you simply can’t wait to kick back by the resort pool – and you’re keen to keep the travel logistics to a minimum. It spans 80km along the south coast of Viti Levu (Fiji’s main island), just a one-hour drive from Nadi airport, so it’s unmatched for ease of access while still offering white-sand and coral beaches. The resorts along this coastline are well-suited for families, with plenty of all-inclusive options and kids’ clubs. It’s also close to the adventure activity hub Pacific Harbour, where you can take day trips to go treetop ziplining, reef snorkelling, and go white-water rafting.
Vanua Levu and Taveuni
Few travellers venture further afield to Fiji’s northern islands, but those who do are rewarded. Vanua Levu is Fiji’s second largest island, offering all the magic of the mainland but with a deeply authentic feel and slower pace (it has more palm trees than people). Tourists are far fewer here, and the local villages truly embody traditional Fijian culture. The one-time sandalwood trading town, Savusavu, is well worth a visit for its marina, yacht club and nearby hot springs. The smaller neighbouring isle of Taveuni to the east is known as Fiji’s ‘garden island’ – a lush rainforest oasis with world-famous diving site Rainbow Reef.
When is the best time to visit Fiji from Australia?
The best time to visit Fiji is during the dry season from May to October, which offers reliable weather, lower humidity and better visibility if you’re a diving enthusiast. Within this window, the shoulder season months – May, September and October – are ideal for avoiding the busier peak season, while still getting plenty of sunshine.
June to August is the busiest time, offering perfect weather for days spent swimming and exploring. As this period coincides with school holidays, it’s best to book well in advance.
November to April is the wet season. It’s warm but humid, with frequent tropical showers. The weather brings out the lush greenery, and it’s also the quietest time for visitors, so it can offer truly peaceful atmosphere.
What do Fiji’s all-inclusive resorts actually include?
Picking a resort with an all-inclusive package that caters to everything you need is key to truly getting the most value out of your Fiji holiday. ‘All-inclusive’ can have a slightly different meaning from one resort to the next, so the inclusions can vary, with some leaning more family friendly and others better tailored for couples.
Most all-inclusive resorts have generous dining offerings, with three meals a day included. Free-flow drinks inclusions are less common here, but packages might offer a nightly cocktail or similar.
For families with young children, resorts along the Coral Coast commonly offer kids-stay-free packages, often with breakfast or all meals included too. This is great for having more in the holiday budget for fun-filled, adventure activities that the kids will love. Or if you need some proper downtime, keep them entertained at the kids’ club. Most resorts will have non-motorised water sports on offer, and some have extra activities like kava ceremonies or even an included scuba dive.
How to get to Fiji from Australia
Many people don’t realise how short the flight is to Fiji compared to other popular holiday spots – it can be quicker than Bali and Vietnam. A direct flight from Sydney to Nadi International Airport takes just four hours, or from Brisbane it’s three and a half and from Melbourne it’s just under five. Multiple airlines operate flights from Australia – Qantas, Virgin Australia and Fiji Airways all offer flights, as well as Jetstar for select routes.
Consider booking your trip in the shoulder season for cheaper airfares – or if you’re travelling during the school holidays, book well ahead. Once you land in Nadi, it takes approximately an hour by car to get to the Coral Coast, or the Mamanuca Islands are around half an hour by boat. You can easily be lounging by the resort pool on the same day you leave home.
The best things to do in Fiji – beyond the beach
The beaches of this tropical paradise are everything you’d imagine, but if you can pry yourself away, you’ll be rewarded for looking beyond the shorelines.
Diving and snorkelling
Fiji is known as the soft coral capital of the world, with more than 390 different species teeming with 1,000-plus types of jewel-coloured tropical fish. You can swim with manta rays and bull sharks in the waters of the Yasawa Islands at the famous Blue Lagoon or The Wreck (a 100-year-old transport vessel that met its fate in the reef) or experience the technicolour wonder of the renowned Rainbow Reef off the coast of Taveuni, which whales frequent between June and August.
Surfing
Fiji has a global reputation as one of the top spots for surf, with legendary waves that attract surfers from all over the world. The famous Cloudbreak reef break, near Tavarua in the Mamanuca Islands, will host an event in the World Surf League Championship Tour from 25 August to 4 September 2026, where the best of the best tear up massive breaks. But there are surfing spots that suit all levels in Fiji – from laid-back lessons for absolute beginners to casual waveriders.
Cultural experiences
Taking a day trip to a village, like Namatakula on the southern coast of Viti Levu, or those on Naviti Island or Waya Island in the Yasawa cluster, is a must-do to experience authentic Fijian culture and support local communities. Toasting “bula!” to good health over a bowl of kava, tasting a traditional lovo feast or watching a traditional meke dance performance all make for genuinely meaningful experiences.
Environmental activities
Fiji’s oceans, mangroves and rainforests are home to remarkable biodiversity, from turtles and manta rays beneath the waves to the endemic Fiji crested iguana above. Contribute to protecting the archipelago’s precious beauty with an environmentally-focussed activity – whether it’s simply learning through educational programs aimed raise awareness of local environment issues, like those at Likuliku Lagoon Resort’s Na Vanua Conservation Hub, or participating in conservation efforts for a day. Resorts like Six Senses Fiji offer reef restoration sessions, guided snorkelling tours with marine biologists or fish house building.
The best part about a holiday in Fiji is that you really can’t go wrong – but armed with these tips, you can transform a good holiday into a truly memorable one.
