Garden of the Sleeping Giant
Garden of the Sleeping Giant
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Wander through this incredible plantation of over 2000 different types of orchids, started in 1977 by the late actor Raymond Burr, of Perry Mason and Ironsides fame.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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10 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Julene MWellington, New Zealand18 contributionsPlant lovers and nature walk paradiseI really love plants and orchids in particular so this was a lovely walk. It’s about a 30 min loop through a tropical forest type setting. Bug spray is a must. Would recommend early or late in the day to avoid the large tourist buses.Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 7, 2024
- VeilsideRGold Coast, Australia2 contributionsOkay but not worth the money$25 FJD/person entry for some orchids and walk over disintegrating forest board walk. Lookout was not worth the hot hike, orchids at the start and initial forest canopy area were all that's worth seeing in our opinion which could be done in 10-15 mins, included fruit juice at the end was a nice touch. The government need to fix the entry road too (nothing to do with this operator). Overall we were disappointed.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 10, 2024
- Diane B8 contributionsA very nice garden.Looks like it's been upgraded. Friendly staff, good tracks, lovely flowers and well worth the walk to the lookout. Finished with nice juice. My granddaughter loved the antics of the cats.Visited April 2024Traveled with friendsWritten April 27, 2024
- Michael ULas Vegas, Nevada47,128 contributionsThe beauty of natureAlthough the website doesn't work and signage is poor The Garden of the Sleeping Giant is open and doing well. No giants, just a reported 2000+ species of orchids spread across several acres of preserved jungle including a climable peak with panoramic views of the valley below. $30FJD to enter, wear comfortable shoes.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 29, 2024
- CharlotteEngland, United Kingdom100 contributionsBeautiful place to spend an hour at.This is a beautiful garden with lovely orchids dotted all around. I would recommend this to people of all ages as it doesn't take too long to walk around the whole thing (45 mins). You are given a tropical juice at the end to cool off with. *it is called the garden of the sleeping giant because myths say there was a giant who ate so much, he fell asleep at the top of the mountain and petrified which overlooks the gardens.* It would have been better if we had been given a map as it was hard to know where to go. Overall, this is a nice and beautiful place to go if you have an hour to spare.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 16, 2024
- TraceyMc2014Tauranga, New Zealand84 contributionsBeautiful for allWe are not garden people but we loved our visit to this lovely gardens. We had a guide who told us all about all the plants, Trees, and flowers. What a beautiful place and most amazing orchids. Really enjoyed our time here and finished with the most delish juice. Vinaka ladiesVisited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 26, 2024
- jfoxworthySanta Rosa, California420 contributionsNot a must see in NadiVery disappointed in the gardens very few orchids. Most of the flowers are at the beginning of the gardens and are in containers. I’ve seen better varieties at Costco. The little pound is nice and the walk up to the overlook was challenging and worth the sweat but not suggested for anyone not fit. Cost us $30 for two people kinda pricey for what you see and get. The people are very nice and the free juice at the end was very welcomed.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,559 reviews
Excellent
659
Very good
596
Average
234
Poor
49
Terrible
21
Anton A
1 contribution
Mar 2023
The gardens are very pretty but unfortunately we went on a wet day and most of the gardens were closed due to dangerous, slippery conditions. The attendant at the front desk happily took our money (over $100FGD for 4 adults and 3 children) with no mention that large sections of the gardens were closed. Even the sections that were open were slippery. My husband and daughter slipped and fell and were grazed quite badly. When we told the two ladies at the front desk on our way out, they spoke amongst themselves in Fijian and looked at us blankly. Having visited the gardens 10 years ago, I know that on this visit we missed seeing all the best sections and could not get up to the lookout. Terribly disappointing day, and most upsetting that we received no apology. The gardens should not be open on wet days, it is simply too dangerous.
Written April 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan Gelder
Adamstown, Australia221 contributions
Dec 2019
Raymond Burr [the actor] began his collection of the world's orchids here some 40 years ago. In the interim 50% of the varieties have succumbed to unnatural conditions but the garden still boasts the best collection of orchids to be found anywhere. Most of the collection can be viewed on the short walks, along with bromeliads & saphrophytes. There is also an hour walk up the Sleeping Giant ridge where the native Fiji vegetation dominates along with some stunning views.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calvin
Paradise Point, Australia1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Family
Our family, 2 adults and a toddler travelled from Denarau. We took a taxi which cost FJ$160 for the return trip which was about 30 mins each way.
It is a further FJ$50 entry fee for 2 adults and the toddler went free.
It is not suitable for a stroller so the toddler had to be carried mostly as there are a lot of steep slippery timber stairs and rocks.
There are a few nice orchids on the way in but otherwise it is short rainforest walk over a rickety boardwalk with no much else to see.
Overrated for the price and cost to get there we wouldn’t return or recommend.
Anyone thinking of visiting with small kids or anyone with difficulty walking should avoid.
It is a further FJ$50 entry fee for 2 adults and the toddler went free.
It is not suitable for a stroller so the toddler had to be carried mostly as there are a lot of steep slippery timber stairs and rocks.
There are a few nice orchids on the way in but otherwise it is short rainforest walk over a rickety boardwalk with no much else to see.
Overrated for the price and cost to get there we wouldn’t return or recommend.
Anyone thinking of visiting with small kids or anyone with difficulty walking should avoid.
Written July 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JackofPBFL
Palm Bay, FL1,181 contributions
Nov 2022
Be advised that admission is F$25 and they only accept cash. It is a beautiful place featuring all kinds of tropical plants and especially orchids. There is a lot of walking and stairs so it would be rough for a disabled person. Admission includes a fantastic tropical drink on the way out.
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lord MacDuff
Scotland, UK658 contributions
Mar 2020
There is disappointingly few orchids to see here. The walk gets off to a promising start but once you have got to the bottom of the hill (tree huggers and swings), that’s it, the interesting plant life peters out and you are left with tropical vegetation. The walk to the top of the hill lookout was hot and sweaty but the views were worth it. There are views and hills elsewhere though and for $18top, it’s just not worth this and transport costs to get there.
Written April 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fredrick L
3 contributions
Jan 2020
My wife and I undertook to journey to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, during our recent trip to Fiji. We had rented a car and figured we could find it ourselves. Eventually we did. Overall the gardens themselves were excellent, with plenty to see and lots of pictures worthy of taking. The cost was low and we certainly felt we got our money's worth. The ONLY negative is the drive to the location. The people we asked said the road was paved. Well, pave in Fiji is not paved elsewhere. The road was dirt most of the way and VERY rough. We almost turned around in our rental car because we were afraid we would damage it. So, I recommend you go but be careful while driving.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vancitykei
181 contributions
Nov 2022
Short stroll through a garden with orchids, then the plantation - which at the time of visit, it's not as green or enticing (maybe because of the month I visited too). The lookout is nice, short hike. Make sure to not miss the way to the lookout, it's not along the path when going back. There's a not-so-obvious short stairs going down that will lead you to the path going to the lookout. I'd recommend to bring any sun protection because there's no shade once you're at the lookout area. Hike isn't very steep, very accessible to all ages.
Written December 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Island_GirlOz
Brisbane, Australia99 contributions
Apr 2023
Someone who genuinely loves gardening should step in here - and soon.
These gardens could be so good. The potential is there.
For starters the current condition of the road to the gardens is disgraceful and made for a very uncomfortable taxi ride and is not recommended for those with back problems.
The entry area and immediate surrounds are immaculate. Unfortunately, that is the best of it. As a keen gardener my visit was to gain knowledge, but no plants are labelled? which would be so easy to do There was no guide or garden staff to provide answers to my questions.
The outer paths are quite dangerous and not very appealing.
I feel that the FJD$25 entry fee (used to be $15) is excessive for what I experienced and so my rating is actually 2 stars.
The third star was for opportunity to see not one, but a second mongoose as well during my walk.
These gardens could be so good. The potential is there.
For starters the current condition of the road to the gardens is disgraceful and made for a very uncomfortable taxi ride and is not recommended for those with back problems.
The entry area and immediate surrounds are immaculate. Unfortunately, that is the best of it. As a keen gardener my visit was to gain knowledge, but no plants are labelled? which would be so easy to do There was no guide or garden staff to provide answers to my questions.
The outer paths are quite dangerous and not very appealing.
I feel that the FJD$25 entry fee (used to be $15) is excessive for what I experienced and so my rating is actually 2 stars.
The third star was for opportunity to see not one, but a second mongoose as well during my walk.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VeilsideR
Gold Coast, Australia2 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
$25 FJD/person entry for some orchids and walk over disintegrating forest board walk. Lookout was not worth the hot hike, orchids at the start and initial forest canopy area were all that's worth seeing in our opinion which could be done in 10-15 mins, included fruit juice at the end was a nice touch. The government need to fix the entry road too (nothing to do with this operator). Overall we were disappointed.
Written March 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlove0801
22 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We did not do the tour, we drove there and paid the entrance; roughly $63 Fijian dollars for myself, my partner and son. It’s a short hike, the outlook is up a steep hill but it’s do-able, no hiking shoes needed. At the end we were given a local juice to enjoy.
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bula,
Is it possible to take a public bus from Nadi to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant? Would it also be possible to include tour to the Sabeto Mud Springs? Or, would it be better to take a taxi? What is the approximate cost for bus, and taxi?
Vinaka for your time.
Written May 29, 2024
Not really i would organise a taxi driver to take you to these or do the tours. Make sure you take a change of clothes for the mud baths and nothing that will stain.
Written October 11, 2024
I am only able to walk slowly needing frequent rest stops, I also need handrails for steps. Are there walks that would suit me for a 40min visit ? (part of a day tour).
Written December 10, 2019
There are seats along the way and you don't have to do the whole track. Walk to the pond and take in the hut the big swings etc. It's a little rest area. Beautiful. No handrails though so maybe you will need someone to help you. Maybe someone at the site will help you.
Written December 10, 2019
We paid approx $80 aussie from smugglers cove resort in Nadi for the day,we also went to the mud baths and temple, entry fees were not included, our taxi driver jay was amazing.
Written November 23, 2019
The website is down - is there another link? How much is the entrance fee? Do they accept credit cards?
Written September 10, 2019
I also booked the tour through a guide so cannot answer your question about the entrance fee. It was a wonderful visit as the gardens are very beautiful and peaceful. I would definitely recommend going there. The guide explained in detail about all the orchids.
Written September 10, 2019
Nicole Z
Belmore, Australia
How long does it take to walk through the whole garden? As I have also booked temple visit and need to catch my flight in the afternoon. Many thanks.
Written August 31, 2019
An hour is plenty of time. But consider that you will be very sweaty when you are done.
Written August 31, 2019
I'm not too sure, but they do have a website and the opening hours are all there.
Written May 6, 2019
What is the best way to get there on a Sunday hours vary when I look thanks.
Written September 9, 2018
We had rented a car. You can easily take a taxi. Or? It’s only about 10-15 minutes from nadi airport
Written October 17, 2018
Hi Renee, are you able to point me in the right direction how to book a wedding at the Gardens of the Sleeping Giant, I can not seem to get onto their website. Thank you In advance
Written April 9, 2018
Fiji has recovered from cyclone Winston, which was in February 2016. I don't know why the gsgfiji website is not currently available, but there can be power can cable issues at times. One option is to contact fiji.travel to see if they can provide more information. We recently spent two weeks there and had a wonderful and relaxing time. The Fijian people are among the friendliest in the world.
Written April 9, 2018
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