Lautoka

Lautoka is the second largest city in Fiji. It is on the west coast of the island of Viti Levu, in the Ba Province of the Western Division.

Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane-growing region, the city has come to be known as the Sugar City and covers an area of 32 square kilometres.

ECONOMY

Lautoka is known as the Sugar City because of its sugar cane belt areas. The main Lautoka Sugar Mill was founded in 1903, and is the city's biggest employer by far.

Built for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (Fiji) (CSR) by workers from India and the Solomon Islands between 1899 and 1903, it hires some 1,300 employees today. Other industries include timber milling, garment manufacturing, distillery, brewery, jewellery, blending, steelworks, fishing, hatchery, domestic items, paints, and construction.

HISTORY

The name of the city is derived from two Fijian words meaning "spear hit." According to an oral tradition, the name arose following a duel between two chiefs. As one speared the other, he was reported to have cried "Lau-toka!" ("Bull's eye!").

The first known European sighting of the Lautoka area took place on 7 May 1789. Captain William Bligh spotted and roughly charted the coasts of Lautoka while making his epic voyage to Timor, in the wake of the mutiny on the Bounty.

BUSES

Lautoka is served by Pacific Transport and Sunbeam buses. Pacific Transport connects Lautoka directly to Nadi International Airport and Ba. Sunbeam runs Queen's Highway Service, linking Lautoka to Suva with stops at Nadi International Airport and various resort locations.

SEAPORTS

Port of Lautoka is the main maritime gateway for western Viti Levu and is the second largest port in Fiji. The port is mainly used for bulk sugar, molasses, woodchips, petroleum and gas.

The port is also used for cruises, Blue Lagoon Cruises and Nai's Cruises are based here.

Ferry Service by Patterson Brothers Shipping Company LTD connects Lautoka to Labasa,Savusavu and Nabouwalu (Vanua Levu).