Help: Family holiday in Fiji

We are planning a holiday in Fiji in Sept/Oct 2010 with out two girls 8 & 10. We have been staggered by how expensive independent travel is (well, compared to the developing nations we visited pre children). We're finding it difficult when multiplying by 4 and navigating between pricey resorts.

So far I've identified family (and budget) friendly options; the Beachouse for a week, maybe Tubakula Bungalows, a homestay (Danny's ?) and a resort stay like Plantation or Naviti (cheap packages in Australia, and it is a holiday after all!).

We were keen to visit the islands, particularly the Yasawas with the girls, but have been blown away by the "cheap" backpacking options. We were keen on Octopus or Oarsman's. Octopus will cost us $ 327 US !!!!!!! a day before activities, grog and transfers (another $350 US !). Oarsman's is not much better.

So I need help and suggestions as to other options both on mainland and islands to keep my family happy travellers for 4 or 5 weeks. There must be other island "resorts" that children would be happy/ appropriate at
and not blow the budget? Any ideas gratefully accepted.

Are you getting your prices from international websites or direct from resorts? Tourist trade here not doing well, hence the cheap packages, but you should be able to book direct. I haven't been to the Yasawas for a few years, so would hesitate to recommend. Boat fares are expensive with high fuel prices but your resort may be able to get you a better rate .Octopus didn;t used to be very family-friendly and I have heard Oarsman is now quite run down. I have stayed at Coral View on Tavewa (basic but welcoming and family friendly) and only heard good things about Otto and Fanny's (more up-market) and David's Place, also on Tavewa. Unfortunately, Tavewa is the furthest out, so most expensive boat. None have websites, but you can find email contacts and some info at
[http://www.fijime.com/index.php/home]

Tubakula is very family friendly and good for the budget - FJ$1 bus to Sigatoka, with excellent market and cheap food shops, FJ$7 for taxi back when fully laden. Roadside bungalow not a good idea - road is main Queens Road, some traffic 24/7 but poolside OK. Beachhouse can also cook - few backpackers use the kitchen - but much further from shops.

One other possibility is Lawaki Beach in Beqa island - very nice people, love to have kids, great food at reasonable prices. [http://www.lawakibeachhousefiji.com/]

we went to Danny's Village Homestay with my family and we would go back.

we went there because of price...it was inexpensive...but it is well worth it.

my kids really enjoyed the freedom and the village children to play with.

if you go during the time when school is in, make sure you go on a local school visit and stay over a weekend (sat & sun) so the kids can play with village kids.

the food is awsome and kid friendly...you need to take your own snorkelling gear though

Thanks guys for your tips! Much appreciated

I found Tuakula great value for money - way back in the mid-90's - and am pleased to hear it's still doing well (#1). Also, Levuka on Ovalau Island was less expensive that the 2 big islands and well worth a visit; don't know how the prices there are today, though.

I haven't been there for a few years but Hideaway Resort on the Coral Coast used to be great and often had affordable packages which usually included a HUGE buffet brekky. The resort is quite low-key and relaxed. The activities staff were fantastic with kids. The cheapest option used to be a flight/accommodation package.