Levuka

Introduction

Levuka on Ovalau Island, was the first capital of Fiji from 1874 until 1883, before it was moved to Suva. Levuka has been designated an historic town and is short-listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considering its importance in the 19th Century as the first permanent settlement of Europeans in the South Pacific.

The town is located on Ovalau Island, a lush tropical volcanic island of about 100 square kilometers surrounded by large coral reefs. Levuka is the administrative centre of the Lomaiviti Group of Islands which inclue Moturiki, Makogai, Koro, Wakaya, Batiki, Nairai, Gau and Ovalau. The islands are the peaks of deep-sea volcanoes that became extinct millions of years ago.

Levuka and Ovalau are off the main tourist track and offer a chance to experience the "real" Fiji, a trip into the past, "the way Fiji used to be".

Sights and Activities

Ovalau

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• The Sacred Heart Church was established in 1858 by the Catholic Marist Fathers. A neon green cross tops this church, helping ships navigate this dangerous crossing by marking a gap in the reef.
• The Ovalau Club is home to one of the oldest social organisations in the South Pacific.
• Levuka Community Centre & Museum
• Queens Wharf
• Totoga Falls
• Nasova village
• Levuka Public School - Is Fiji's oldest public school.
• Beach St
• The Town Hall was constructed in 1898, honouring Queen Victoria's jubilee.
• The Royal Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in the South Pacific.

Events and Festivals

• The Back To Levuka Festival is held in October

Getting There

By Plane

Air Fiji has daily flights from Suva to Ovalau and the airstrip is about 40 minutes from Levuka.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

On the Suva-Natovi-Buresala-Levuka route, Patterson Brothers Shipping operates a daily service ($24 one way), which again includes first a bus ride (1.5 hours) from Suva to Natovi Landing, the a ferry to Buresala Landing (1 hour) and a bus to Levuka (1 hour). Buses depart Suva at 2:00pm and Labasa at 5:00am.

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot/Bike

Levuka is small enough to walk around, but you can rent mountain bikes if you want to go a little further away.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• Royal Hotel is the longest operating hotel in the South Pacific, situated on Levuka's waterfront. There are 14 rooms and 4 recently added cottages. Telephone: +(679) 3440024

• Levuka Homestay is a B&B run by an Australian couple. Church Street, Phone +(679) 3440777

• Ovalau Holiday Resort has self-contained bungalows several kilometres out of town. Phone: +(679) 344 0166

• New Mavida Lodge, Beach Street, Phone +(679) 3440477

• Mary's Holiday Lodge, Beach Street, Phone +(679) 3440013.

• Levuka Holiday Cottage, Beach Street, north of Levuka, Phone +(679) 3440166

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

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