Dec 09, 2021
Like bees to a flower, the vision of a tropical island paradise has attracted explorers to the South Pacific for centuries. Now, as fabulous Fiji beckons us once again after having been ‘so close, yet so far away’ during this period of travel lockdowns and uncertainty, it’s finally time to do some more exploring of your own. Fiji Tourism’s website tells us they are “Open for Happiness” as of December 1st – and a big dose of happiness is something we could all do with, now more than ever.
In the original days of courageous ocean voyages and discovery, Fiji’s perilous reefs and the threat of fearsome cannibals meant that it was left alone by the world to develop a rare and rich culture submerged in pristine natural beauty. This stunning archipelago made up of an impressive 333 islands (some say even more at low tide), is now begging to be discovered again.
Fiji has remained one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations for as long as the locals’ smiles are wide – not only because of its proximity to our east coast (less than a four-hour flight), but also because it truly offers something for everyone. From incredible family adventures and fun escapes with friends, to business trips, diving explorations, golfing holidays and the ultimate in romantic escapes, Fiji has it all.
Take your family to one of the many wonderful island resorts famous for keeping their guests entertained at every turn, offering a variety of activities, events, restaurants, shows and more. Or stay on the mainland where you will have the option of visiting Fiji’s towns for a taste of traditional food, shopping and local markets. Take a trek through ancient rainforests, take a dip in beautiful waterfall lagoons, travel upriver to native villages, witness traditions such as fire walking and participate in a kava ceremony, play world-class golf or simply relax poolside and watch as the highland mountains turn purple in the setting sun.
Spark up a Fijian love affair by taking your special person on an unparalleled holiday of romance. Cast yourselves away to one of Fiji’s many postcard-perfect islands, leaving the rest of the world behind in favour of waves gently lapping the shore outside your charming bure (bungalow), feasting on exquisite food, being pampered in a luxury day spa, or simply relaxing in a hammock made for two, exotic cocktails in hand.
Many of Fiji’s highlights revolve around its turquoise waters. To get to know the archipelago even more intimately, take an island-hopping cruise to capture exotic coastlines, deserted beaches, dazzling sunsets accompanied by live music on the deck of your boat, and many other unique experiences you would otherwise miss. Or perhaps enjoy memorable ocean vistas from above; hire a helicopter and spot some of the prolific marine life from the sky, including game fish, sharks and turtles. Take a deep dive into the magical underwater worlds of Fiji, which was labelled the ‘soft coral capital of the world’ by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques, the famed creator of the scuba system. Clear waters with steady temperatures and some of the most bio-diverse coral reefs on earth will guarantee you underwater experiences that rival the very best on the planet.
Fiji really is the perfect place to reignite your love for travel – a place where the welcome is deep and heartfelt, where everyone’s passions can be indulged, and where there is every excuse to simply stop, breathe and relax, appreciating all the beauty that still awaits you in the world.
Covid Travel Safety and Updates
December 1st will see Fiji saying ‘bula!’ to visitors from a select group of countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the US. Operating under the Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) plan – a WHO-approved standard of best-practice health and safety measures, Fiji’s CFC certified business are 100% vaccinated (including most of the major tourism properties and operators).
All travellers 18 years and above must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to travel to Fiji. Children (under 18) who are not vaccinated can travel with vaccinated parents, but unaccompanied teens under 18 must be fully vaccinated to enter the country. All travellers 12 and older must take an RT-PCR test three days prior to travel, and this must be negative. Travellers will also need to take a Rapid COVID-19 Diagnostic Test 48 hours after arrival.
There will not be any quarantine requirements for visitors, however you must be in an approved partner country (this includes Australia) for at least 10 days prior to arrival, and stay in Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) accommodation for your first three nights in Fiji.
Travellers must undergo yet another test in Fiji before boarding a flight back to Australia. Be sure to include the cost of these tests in your holiday budget – they soon add up!
For the latest updates in Covid safety and travel advice for Fiji, chat with a Discover Holidays representative, or visit these government websites:
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/pacific/fiji
https://www.fiji.travel/covid-19/travelling-to-fiji