Fiji top pick for your next family holiday

FIND out how to make the most of a family holiday on one of the best islands in the pacific with these top tips.

escape fiji

IN THE past, a foreigner arriving on Fiji's idyllic sand and palm-fringed shores wouldn't have dined alongside the natives they would have been dinner. Thankfully, these days the reception is far more welcoming.

 A record number of Australians visited the islands in the last quarter of 2010. Newly released figures show an average of 1008 arrivals a day in September alone. Why? As South Pacific islands go, Fiji is the total package, especially for holidaying families. It's about a comfortable 3 1/2-hour flight from Australia's eastern shores and continues to offer Aussie passport-holders incredible value for money. Here are three different holiday experiences to consider. MAINLAND The beaches on Fiji's mainland island of Viti Levu haven't earned a glistening reputation but there's one that certainly rates above all others. Natadola Beach, along the Coral Coast in the west, is a 45-minute drive south of the tourist gateway of Nadi and the sight of its soft white sands, gentle rolling surf and coral reefs is a pleasant reward at the end. The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is a relative newcomer to the local scene but as a beachside escape it offers all the amenities and experiences to be found on Fiji's sought-after islands. Accommodation ranges from executive club level to suites and standard rooms facing the beach, pool or tropical gardens. Guests staying in the 55 luxury hilltop suites some with their own plunge pool enjoy butler service, complimentary daily breakfasts, drinks and snacks. The rooms for our travel party of two families were conveniently interconnected. Our room with king bed, which my two under-fives and I comfortably shared, faced the "water park", as my littlest fondly described the 105m kiddies pool complete with fountains and shallow areas. On the adjoining terrace, our enormous bathtub was big enough to fit all four small children and we could pull curtains around for privacy in the balmy evenings. There are several casual and fine-dining options but the children ate free in the main restaurant and the buffet selection was wide and nutritional enough to keep them and us happy. When the adults wanted "time out" to snorkel the reef or enjoy a beachfront massage, the kids were entertained at Planet Trekkers kids club (which costs extra), building sandcastles, fish-feeding, basket-weaving and card-making. The highlight of their stay was a horse ride along the beach. The kids also enjoyed the chance to learn some Fijian dance moves (minus the firesticks). More: www.ichotelsgroup.com ISLAND A secluded tropical island has romantic-couple appeal but families can enjoy playing castaways together too. Two resorts come to mind. For all-round scenery, service, dining and activities, Castaway Island is generally considered the No.1 resort for families. It's part of the Mamanuca island group and you can kick off your shoes after a 1 1/2-hour cruise from Denarau Marina or 10 minutes in a floatplane or helicopter from Nadi airport. There are 66 grass-thatched, simply furnished bures the pick of the bunch directly facing the beach. If your little ones are like mine, they too will be captivated by the theatre of the Fijian culture and delight in watching the locals perform a customary dance while dinner cooks in a traditional earth oven known as a "lovo" a Wednesday night social fixture. Fiji's kids clubs are legendary. Parents can feel rest assured that their little treasures will be well supervised all day with activities and games also inspired by local traditions. Like so many others in Fiji, Castaway's club stays open well into the evening to allow parents to enjoy a rare quiet dinner alone. Best of all, it's free. While the accommodation is not as modern, if size matters most to you then Plantation Island Resort (also in the Mamanucas) is one of the largest, and offers every activity you can think of under the sun. The resort is one of several on pretty Malolo Lai Lai island, further expanding your options (particularly for meals). The island also has a supermarket and marina at Musket Cove. More: www.castawayfiji.com; www.plantationisland.com VILLAGE Village home stays are not a typical family option here but there are a number of alternative ways to get to know the locals on a more personal level. On the mainland, a day trip with the Sigatoka River Safari includes an exhilarating jet boat ride along Viti Levu's longest river, to one of 14 inland villages. Guests are welcomed as a new member of the tribe with a traditional floral lei, a symbolic splash of baby powder, as well as singing, dancing, a kava drinking ceremony and traditional lunch. Young people especially can also get a good insight into Fijian life when they stay at the award-winning eco-friendly Jean-Michel Cousteau resort, overlooking the waters of Savusavu Bay on the northern island of Vanua Levu, a one-hour inter-island flight from Nadi. While it offers first-class service, dining and accommodation (and diving, of course), it has the charm of a close-knit community. Children and babies are cared for all day in the kids club, freeing parents to enjoy the resort's facilities and relax in adult-only territory. And as part of the award-winning Bula Club's list of activities, children 6-12 years are paired with a local Fijian buddy (in a one-to-five ratio) to spend time with. This unique cultural connection often includes an invitation home to the local village or church. More: www.sigatokariver.com/safari.html; www.fijiresort.com The best time to travel to Fiji is between May and November during the dry season.  More: www.fijime.com.au Travel tips: Fiji destination guide Ideas: Family holiday spots