The Garden of the Sleeping Giant on Viti Levu is one of the most popular tourist attractions. But its back story comes as something of a surprise.
Under the Sleeping Giant Mountain
Sat under the looming Sleeping Giant Mountain, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is one of the most popular inland attractions on Viti Levu. And it’s also one of the oddest things to say you’ve seen. When you get home – try topping “I’ve seen Ironside’s orchid collection” for obscurity value.
Raymond Burr’s orchid collection
This collection, which represents 2,000 of the 25,000-plus species of orchid that have currently been catalogued, was originally put together by Canadian actor Raymond Burr.
Burr – who also played Perry Mason – originally intended the 50 acre garden to be private, but opened it up to the public due to popular demand.
Burr sold it before he died in 1993, but the site is still delightfully maintained.
Visiting the Garden of the Sleeping Giant
The guides have an impressive knowledge of what’s what, and continue firing out the names long after you’ve got your lipstick plant, Spanish moss and giant maiden hair ferns confused.
Following a walkway covered by netting (it prevents too much light getting in), you emerge at a large pond full of water lilies, frogs and tilapia fish. There’s a boardwalk from there that takes in the big beast trees, interspersed with some of the more colourful orchids.
Garden of the Sleeping Giant tours
The easiest way to visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is on a tour from Nadi. There are several tour options available, many of which also stop at the Sabeto Mud Pools.
For more information, visit the garden’s website.
More Pacific Islands travel
For a wide selection of tours and experiences in Fiji, head here.
Other Pacific Islands travel stories on Planet Whitley include:
- Visiting Robert Louis Stevenson’s grave in Samoa.
- Why I don’t want to go back to Palau.
- Is Muri in the Cook Islands the perfect holiday town?
- Getting trapped in a wildlife refuge in Guam.
- Cruising on the lagoon in Aitutaki.
- What to do in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Disclosure: This story contains affiliate links. Buy anything through them, and I get a small commission.
