Fiji, October, Lautoka or other area for local experience

Hi guys, we are 2 adults with our 3 yr old girl. We are experience traveler. But first time in Fiji.
My husband love beach, so we will do Island like Blue Lagoon or Octopus anyway.

Apart from that, I would love to see market, local village, art, farm, cave, cultural stuff etc.

We'll stay in Denarau Island for our first 3 days, I would like to visit Lautoka, as I heard there is market there, what else can we do here? Specially if it's child friendly place.

We can also stay 2 nights somewhere else before go to Yasawa Islands. Any suggestion?
How long is it take to go to Ovalau Island?
Seem to have very few mention Vanua Levu, is it too far to go for 2 days? any must see place?

We won't stay in dorm, mid-range is fine for us.

thank you for your comment in advance.
cheers.

To get to Ovalau from Nadi you must first go to Suva fly, bus or rental car, then fly to Ovalau. Allow half a day for the trip to Suva, then you have to catch a flight to Ovalau - not sure of the current timetable but there used to be 2 planes a day, one 9am, another 5pm. So not really feasible if you only have 2 days. You could fly direct to Savusavu on Vanua Levu from Nadi but again hardly worth it in such a short time. How long do you have altogether - and when? Have you already booked Octopus/Blue Lagoon? They are very popular so don't assume you will get in at short notice. You would have good opportunities at either of those to visit the local village and both have a very good relationship with the local people who work there.
I wouldn't call Lautoka particularly "child friendly" - but I do enjoy the market there. It's not really a tourist type town, interesting for a good look at how the locals live and work though.

I agree with TaiMarilyn, Laotoka is a good choice although there's really not much to do there. Also Ba, which is probably even less tourist-oriented. I would choose Suva from where you can make a trip to the Pacific Harbour Cultural Centre, or maybe the Coral Coast, like Tubukula or some such beachy place. Sigatoka is another Coral Coast option although again there's not much to do there. Laotoka, Ba and Sigatoka are all good for day trips.

thank you very much. Will forget Ovalau or further east.

We arrive on 30 Sept, and leave on the 10 Oct, so not much time at all.

Already sent enquiry to Octopus/Blue Lagoon, no answer yet.
Apart from the market in Lautoka, any other markets near Nadi worth check out? I love all sort of food/flower/art craft markets.

Thanks for the tips on Sigatoka, just saw they have Kula Eco Park and River Safari, sounds great.

Any comment on Sigatoka River Safari or Jewel of Fiji tour in Navua river?

what's the best transport from Denarau Island to Lautoka and Sigatoka? Bus or Taxi?

Last, will u see wild animal in the countryside? or where is a good place to go?

cheers from Hong Kong

when we went to Fiji we used this website for info about Fiji and found it very helpful

http://www.fijitraveltips.com/

here you can find activities around Denarau, Nadi, and Coral Coast etc and how to get to and from places within Fiji

hope it helps you

Local buses are plentiful, cheap, and we have always enjoyed travelling in them with local people. Often slow, noisy (almost certain to have loud Indian music playing), and some have open window spaces with plastic blinds to roll down when it rains. Taxis are also plentiful, always confirm the price before you get in - useful to check at your accommodation what the price should be, but be aware that some hotels have their own taxi services which are often more expensive.
There is a market in Nadi too, just ask anyone in the street. It's down a back road so not immediately easy to see from the main road. There is a spectacular Hindu temple at the far end of town (furthest end from the airport side). Theres a smallish craft market nearby.
Wild animals - cows and goats are possibly all you'll see, a few horses - and dogs! used to be common to see bullock teams working in the cane fields but many have been superseded by tractors now. I haven't been to Kula Eco Park in recent years but I believe they are good.

I completely forgot about the river boat trips from Sigatoka. Not sure I'd place them in the 'Safari' category but they are pleasant, informative and interesting, often stopping to visit a local village. Well worth the price, which was not much way back when ...

thank you, the site does has useful stuff.

cheers for all the advise.

Hi cat668.
We live in Lautoka and are volunteers at a daycare centre there. You could visit us with your 3 year old. Might be fun for a couple of hours to meet the other local kids aged 3 to 6?
PM me if you want to do that.

Lautoka has the best market in Fiji. Late in the week is best when all the small farmers come in with their goods.

Cheers,
Peter