Lantoka Tourist Information
Legend has it that within the bounds of today’s Lautoka town there lived two tribes each with a chief. As a result of an argument one day, a fight broke out between the two chiefs at a spot which is now known as “Farquhar’s point.” As one chief speared the other he screamed “LAU-TOKA” meaning “spear-hit” ot ‘hit to win”. And so, Lautoka acquired a name.
The first recorded sighting of Lautoka by a European was at dawn on 7th May, 1789 when Cap. Bligh of HMS “ Bounty” made rough charts of the shores of Lautoka and the mountains in its background while sailing past the west coast of Fiji.
Lautoka is sited in the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji. It is only 25km away (towards north) from Nadi International Airport. The city is surrounded with the blue PAcific Ocean on the western side and green gold sugar cane together with pine trees on the other sides.
Lautoka is the sugar city as many people describe. Sugar cane has been the major industry of Fiji and Lautoka is the Base. Here, one finds the industries, head quarters, the largest sugar mill, central sugar bulk, modern loading facilities and a large wharf. The Lautoka Sugar Mill itself employ about 1300 people and majority of them are the ratepayers and residents of Lautoka. Apart from this there are a number of other industries such as timber, pine chips, garment , distillery, brewery, jewellery, blending, steel , fishing, hatchery, domestic items, paints, building and many more.
Lautoka city has 120km of roads almost all sealed, proper drains, well planned subdivisions and buildings constructed to the local building standards. The street are all lighted and there are number of public toilets and park seats all over the city.
Lautoka is a very clean city and environmental concern. It has a wonderful botanical garden and children's park. The main street of the city i.e. vitogo Parade has been decorated with the planting of royal palm trees on one side and this is quite a unique feature.
The city’s municipal market which has a floor area of about 58,000m is another attraction from outside and inside both. The tourist destinations are Abaca, island resorts, day cruises to island resort, handicraft markets, duty free shops and many more. There is a wonderful marina at Vuda Point, Lautoka with surrounded hotels and motels.
The shopping centre is conveniently located in the central city area along Vitogo Parade, Naviti Street and Yasawa Street.
The city has a very wide range of shops ranging from retail to wholesale. The retail outlets have basically all items such as food, clothing, duty free items, sporting equipment, medicines, tailoring, drapery, video rental, liquor outlets and many more.
The shops are opened early some from 6.00am and others from 8.00am till 6.00pm to 7.00pm during the week-days and Saturday from 7.00am 1.00pm on Sundays and Public Hoildays shops are generally closed but the restaurants, milk bars and other essential shops remain open.
There are all types of restaurants catering for the variety of dishes such as Chinese, Indian, Italian, Fijian, European, Korean, vegetarian, snack etc.
There is no problem with the finance/ foreign exchange as the city has five commercial banks and one exchange & Finance Company.
© by Fiji Islands
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