Rugby Travel guide to Nadi
Perched on the western edge of Viti Levu, the bustling hub of Nadi is the perfect gateway from which to explore the delights of Fiji. Whether you’re seeking out stunning Hindu temples, sampling authentic cuisine or venturing out to the Mamanuca Islands, Nadi is an essential stop for those seeking both adventure and a true exhibition of Fijian rugby pride.
What’s Nadi like?
Nadi has a laid-back charm, nestled between the stunning Coral Coast to the south and the tropical Evans Ranges to the north. Its bustling streets are lined with outdoor bars and restaurants, palm-lined beaches, and colourful markets where one can sample traditional Fijian food, all of which are found in the shadow of the verdant Garden of the Sleeping Giant.
Nadi exudes Fijian spirit, which is built around a culture that thrives on tradition, community, and family, shaped by a blend of Indian, Chinese, European, Polynesian, and Rotuman influences. Fiji's way of life is centered on warmth, hospitality, and respect for elders, with villages playing a vital role in daily life, even in the bigger cities like Nadi.
Andrew Lewthwaite
What are Nadi’s claims to fame?
Nadi is perhaps best known as a bustling gateway to Fiji’s natural wonders housed on the volcanic archipelagos of the Mamanuca Islands, a string of twenty islands famed for the glorious crystal-clear waters and golden sands, and as the location for Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks. The town itself is home to iconic landmarks like the sacred Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple and has produced some of the nation’s greatest rugby stars, including the legendary Sanivalati Laulau.
How do I get to Nadi?
Flights from Auckland, Sydney, and Brisbane to Nadi International Airport take around three hours and are available year-round. You can also fly straight to Nadi from cities in Japan and the West Coast of the United States.
Do they play rugby in Nadi?
The Fijian Drua, who were founded in 2017 and joined Super Rugby in February 2022, are based in Nadi. After spending their first two seasons in Australia due to COVID travel restrictions, they returned home in 2023, finishing seventh out of twelve teams in the 2024 season. Nadi also has a rugby team who compete in The Skipper Cup, Fiji’s national provincial premier rugby union championship - they last won the championship in 2022.
How do I get to King Charles Park?
King Charles Park, the 18,000 capacity stadium in Nadi, is a short 15-minute drive south from Nadi International Airport to Nadi Town. For those who are able, the stadium is an hour’s walk from Nadi’s Wailoaloa Beach and just a 15-minute walk from Sri Siva Subramaniya temple.
What’s King Charles Park like?
The stadium has a charming ramshackle feel to it, with an old main stand complete with unassigned, terrace-style seating areas and a surrounding fence area where fans can stand and enjoy the game. It is home to Nadi’s rugby side and has also hosted football matches played by Fiji’s international team. Currently with an 18,000 capacity, there are plans currently underway to expand it to 30,000 which would make it the largest stadium in the Fiji islands.
Where do you drink before a match at King Charles Park?
There are plenty of places along the Queens’ Road and in the town of Nadi to have a drink before watching a game at King Charles Park. Nearby is Jojo’s Shack, a lively bar with Kava and pool, and the Legends Sports Bar and Restaurant which has a spacious outdoor seating area and a wide variety of food available.
What do I have to see in Nadi?
As the largest Hindu temple in the Pacific and a building of extraordinary beauty, the sacred Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple demands to be seen. After visiting, you can then catch the sunset at Wailoaloa Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Fiji which is lined with palm trees and resorts where food and drink is available.
“You have to see the nature in Fiji, get to the highlands,” says Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu. “Pure, supreme places that haven’t been touched. It’s been there from the beginning of time. Then visit the small islands: beautiful, enjoy quiet time, just enjoy the peace, hear the birds and the sound of the sea waves.”
What can I do between games in Nadi?
In between games, you can check out some of the markets in Nadi. The Handicraft Market, which is just off the main street, sells souvenirs while the Municipal Market sells local produce and food. The markets have a friendly vibe and it is a great opportunity to meet and chat with locals.
To get an authentic feel and taste out Fijian cuisine, try the new Vavavi Cooking & Cultural Experience, where you can learn the art of lovo cooking and gain hands-on experience in preparing a variety of traditional Fijian dishes.
Just off the coast, the Mamanuca’s are home to an assortment of places to relax and enjoy Fiji’s ocean beauty, such as Cloud 9, Malamala Beach Club and the floating pontoon of Seventh Heaven.
Aaron Mauger, the former All Black, now attack coach for Fiji, suggests fully integrating with the local practices. “I think you’ve got to get in amongst the village lifestyle and have a bit more of an authentic sort of Fijian experience,” he says. “You see the way they host each other and connect in communal areas and look after each other – you definitely have to have a kava ceremony over there.”
Andrew Lewthwaite
What’s the food like in Nadi?
Menus in Nadi are a delightful fusion of fresh, local ingredients, showcasing the vibrant flavors of Fiji’s tropical bounty. Fijian cuisine, steeped in cultural tradition, features distinctly flavourful dishes like fish suruwa (a fish curry and a good example of India’s influence on Fijian cuisine) and rourou (taro leaves with coconut cream), complemented by locally sourced fruits like mangoes and papayas, and brewed beers.
“If you want to go and have a good drink out on the water somewhere,” says Australian-born coach of Fiji Mick Byrne, go to Seventh Heaven [a five-star floating restaurant/bar just off the coast near Nadi] or get out to Malamala Beach Club, a 45-minute ferry trip, and you can have a great day out there too. And if you want to spend some big bucks and enjoy yourself, there’s the Intercontinental [golf resort] an hour from Nadi.”
How do I find out more about Nadi?
For more information on Nadi, visit https://www.fiji.travel
