Fiji Islands Travel Guide | Discover the Islands | Suva

History of Suva

In 1870, Australian settlers were sent by the Polynesian Company to camp along Nabukalou Creek on land bought from Chief Ratu Seru Cakobau. When efforts to grow sugar cane failed, the company convinced the British to move their headquarters to Suva.

Since 1882, Suva has been the capital city of Fiji.

Thurston Gardens

Experience the flora of Fiji and see a variety of palms, gingers, water lilies and other local flora at the gardens. Originally called the Botanical Gardens, its name was changed to Thurston Gardens in honour of the fifth Governor of Fiji, Sir John Bates Thurston, who was Governor from February 1888 to March 1897. Thurston Gardens is located in central Suva, between Albert Park and the Government House.

It is built on the original site of the town of Suva that was burnt in 1843 in one of the bloodiest fights in Fiji's history. Many of the inhabitants were killed and eaten by the people of Rewa. In 1879, Sir John Thurston invited and asked John Horne (Botanist), the Director of Forests and Botanic Gardens in Mauritius to visit and make recommendations for a Botanical Garden.

Perhaps contemplating a walk in Thurston Gardens

Rewa Delta History

When travelling from Suva to the delta, day tours are available to sites which have great historical significance.

Many visitors enjoy the bus ride from the commercial site of the area – Nausori to places like Bau Island, the home of the paramount chieftain of Fiji who was responsible for the ceding of Fiji to Britain, Ratu Seru Cakobau.

Bau had a population of 3000, hundreds of war canoes guarded its waters and more than 20 temples stood on the island’s central plain.

After the battle of Verata in 1839, Ratu Seru Cakobau and his father, Ratu Tanoa presented 260 bodies of men, women and children to their closest allays. Fifteen years after the incident, Ratu Seru converted to Christianity. When Ratu Seru accepted Christianity in 1854, Methodist missionaries resided on Viwa Island, just across the water from Bau.

In 1867, he became a sovereign, crowned by European traders and planters who wished to protect their interests.

The first Fijian new Testament was printed in 1847 here with the translation carried out by Reverend John Hunt.