Think outside the box and pack your backpack as we go behind the scenes to experience true Fijian friendship. Fiji may be a small group of islands, but the impact its people have on visitors is enormous! Schoolies Reimagined will take you on an exclusive program to villages far off the tourist track. Escape the crowds and have a personal experience where you’ll live like the locals. After the intensity of the school year, kick back and enjoy a week of laid back Fiji time. Soak up the charm of these friendly islands, then help build a school, toilet block or run kid’s club. Spend your free time swimming in the pool and hanging out in the sun with your new crew. We will be zip-lining through forests, kayaking, island hopping and removing all your year 12 stress lines in the mud pools. This is the real Fiji!!
Highlights
- Island hopping on your own private boat
- Snorkel in crystal clear waters
- Stay at our private eco-lodge with your own pool and footy field
- Kayak around the Fijian waters
- Give back to the kindest people in the world while helping out on a community project.
- Make Fijian BFFLS
- Try traditional kava
- Visit Cloud 9 Surf Break
- Ziplining through the forest
Inclusions
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) each day in Fiji
- Quad-share accommodation at The Rustic Pathways Eco-Lodge in Momi Bay
- Schoolies Reimagined program leaders
- Local Fijian leaders
- Airport pick-up and transfers
- Private transportation
- All activities listed in itinerary (except those labelled "optional")
- 24/7 support in Fiji from Rustic Pathways
- Evacuation cover, medical advice and travel assistance from HX-Global
- Schoolies Reimagined Party Shirt t-shirt
- Pre-departure package with luggage tag, stickers, and country information
Exclusions
- International airfares to/from Nadi (we can provide a quote)
- Passport costs
- Visa costs (not required for Australian citizens to Fiji)
- Immunisations (if required)
- Travel insurance (we can provide CoverMore insurance)
- Spending money for souvenirs, snacks, internet etc
Day by Day
Day 1 Arrival Into Nadi
BULA!! Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be greeted by Schoolies Reimagined Australian and Fiji leaders, and head to your new home at our beautiful Eco-Lodge Base. After a round of introductions and orientation with the local staff, the group can jump straight into the private pool for sunset.
Your accommodation during your stay will be at the Eco-Lodge Service Base. The base is located in a rural area, about 40 minutes’ drive from the main town centre of Nadi and is surrounded by cane fields and local farming families, many of whom have lived here for decades. Accommodation will be in bunk bedrooms that sleep up to eight people each. These rooms have their own flush toilets and solar powered hot water systems. The base is situated on 14 acres of land and has extensive areas set aside for the growing of vegetables and fresh local fruits. There is also a swimming pool, small gym and sports ground situated at the base.
Before you finish your first day in Fiji, you will be welcomed in the traditional way, through a formal sevu sevu ceremony. Learn more about the incredible local culture of Fiji as local guides lead you through your first step of cultural understanding as you participate in this ceremony. Sharing in a kava ceremony, with guitars and traditional Fijian songs serenading as you watch the sunset from our huge deck is the perfect end to your first day in Fiji.
Overnight: Rustic Pathways Eco Lodge, Momi Bay
Day 2 Village Life and Zipline
Sunday is a very ceremonial day in the Fijian culture. Fiji’s native people are predominantly Christian, and Sundays are observed as a day of rest. Your new friends around the Base will lend you some traditional Fijian clothing to wear and invite you to church. If you would like to attend, this is a wonderful occasion where the whole village gathers — elders, parents, teenagers, and young children alike — for a morning of singing and respectful thanks for the wonderful environment in which they live. It is impossible not to get caught up in the open delight villagers show towards each other and their surroundings – and the singing makes this a very memorable experience!
This afternoon we’ll head out for some high-flyin’ fun. Soar through the canopies of the rainforest and get your adrenaline pumping as you travel from platform to platform among the trees. Conquer your fear of heights while travelling 50 kph through the air and let out a loud “Wananavu!” as you enjoy stepping outside your comfort zone.
Overnight: Rustic Pathways Eco Lodge, Momi Bay
Day 3-6 Service Projects
Schoolies Reimagined has developed a wonderful relationship with the local people of Momi Bay and the larger Nadi area. Project work during the course of your program is focused around the six service initiatives we have undertaken at the Eco-Lodge.
You will typically get involved in two projects during the course of the day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. You can expect to spend time working in the local schools, tutoring students in English, getting involved with afternoon sporting events, and facilitating much-needed art and music classes. In addition, you might teach computer literacy classes to older youth and young adults or help a neighbour repair their roof or build a kitchen. You will also get involved in some environmental projects to help preserve the beautiful and fragile ecosystems here. Your service will be varied, interesting, challenging, and extremely rewarding and worthwhile.
In the afternoons and evenings, you will enjoy some of the beautiful natural wonders Fiji has to offer. We’ve included the following activities in the program:
- Beaches – hang out on the white sand beaches
- Hot Mud Pools – a rustic location where warm water flows from beneath the ground, offering the chance to cover yourself in rejuvenating mud and relax in warm to hot pools of water.
- Momi Historical Gunsite – located a short distance from our base, the Gunsite offers an outstanding vista of the waters and nearby islands surrounding Momi Bay.
- Sigatoka Sand-dunes – hike over enormous sand-dunes and take in some stunning coastal vistas along the way.
- Shopping Excursion – enjoy the chance to shop for souvenirs and negotiate for Fijian handicraft bargains at the local markets and retail shops located in Nadi township.
Overnights: Rustic Pathways Eco-lodge Service Base, Momi Bay
Day 7 Island Hopping
After a hearty breakfast this morning, you will enjoy a full-day island-hopping excursion to several of the islands located in the Mamanuca Island group. These islands are located just off Nadi and offer the chance to soak up some sun, swim in the tropical waters and snorkel to explore the underwater world Fiji is famous for. You can expect to set off around 8.30am and return by about 5:00pm.
Overnight: Rustic Pathways Eco-lodge Service Base, Momi Bay
Day 8 Kayak Then Catch Ya Later Fiji
For your final morning in Fiji, explore the beautiful coastline of Momi Bay by kayak, stopping for swims along the way. After lunch, you’ll travel to the airport for some high-fives and final photographs before bidding Fiji an emotional goodbye. Moce! Fiji’s doors will always be open for you to return again!
TRAVELING – IT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS, THEN TURNS YOU INTO A STORYTELLER.
Fast Facts
About Country
- Fiji consists of 333 islands, about 110 of which are inhabited.
- Fiji is made up of only 10 per cent land
- Fiji is going plastic-free by the end of 2021
- Cannibalism was once common practice among Fijians. Fear not though - thanks to King Ratu Cakobau, this ended in 1871 when he encouraged his people to stop eating other humans
- While Hawaii about the same size in surface area than Fiji last year had more than 13 times the amount of tourist then Fiji. I know I would rather have the beach to myself !!
- You can be in two different days at the same time
Local Language
- Hello: Ni sa bula or just bula
- Goodbye: Ni sa moce
- Good morning: Ni sa yadra
- Yes: Lo
- No: Sega
- Please: Yalo vinaka
- Thank you / good: Vinaka
Good to Know
- There are three official Fijian languages Fijian, Fiji Hindu and English
- Fiji's main religion is Christian, followed by Hindu and Roman Catholic.
- For the fashion conscious please bear in mind that unless you are the chief, wearing a hat and sunglasses in a Fijian village is a big no-no.
- Strange but true, it is possible to be in two different time zones at the same time when on the island of Taveuni due to the fact that Fiji is spread across the international dateline.
- The currency of Fiji is the Fijian dollar.
- Communal living is still a way of life.
FAQ
Australian citizens do not need a visa for entry as a tourist into Fiji. On arrival into Fiji, immigration will issue Australian citizens with a tourist visa for entry into the county. No prior arrangements for Australian citizens are needed.
Participants will not be accompanied by a flight leader. Our program staff will greet participants when they arrive at Nadi Airport in Fiji. However, there will be a suggested flight route so students can fly together if they choose to.
Fiji is 3.5 hours by air from Brisbane and Sydney, 4 hours by air from Melbourne, and 9 hours by air from Perth.
The start date listed is when you need to be in Fiji and the departure date listed is the date you will depart Fiji.
This program operates on the main island of Fiji, Viti Levu at our Eco Lodge Base in Momi Bay, about 40 minutes from Nadi.
Each program will have leaders who are certified in First Aid and CPR. Some of our program leaders are also certified as Wilderness First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.
Schoolies Reimagined maintains a minimum of 1 Program Leader for every 7 participants.
Schoolies Reimagined uses sterilization techniques to ensure that all drinking water for participants is potable and safe to drink. We ask participants to bring reusable water bottles in order to reduce plastic usage.
Travellers are allowed to bring phones on their Schoolies Reimagined program, but we recommend taking the challenge and disconnecting for a few weeks. We will communicate with parents with a safe arrival email and any other communication if necessary.
Fiji operates at 240 V and uses plug I, the same as in Australia and New Zealand.
The weather is an average of 30 degrees Celsius. Rain is likely as it is the start of the wet season.
The Eco Lodge consists of a main house with kitchen and activity space and several small houses that sleep six to eight participants on bunk-beds. Participants share rooms with others of the same gender. Each house has an attached bathroom with solar powered hot water showers, sinks, and flush toilets. There is an infinity-edge swimming pool, soccer field, small weight room, and pool table.
The Eco Lodge has its own resident chef and team of cooking staff. Participants will eat a combination of local Fijian dishes and more western-style dishes. Breakfasts typically include cereal, breads, eggs, crackers, and fruit. Lunches and dinners range from traditional Fijian lovo feasts of chicken, cassava, and dalo (root crops similar to potatoes) to barbeques, pastas, stir fries, curries, salads, and vegetables. Vegetarians can easily be catered for, and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
Bathrooms are western style toilets with running water while at the Eco Lodge.
Safe arrival emails will be sent out when participants settle in country. Participants will have the opportunity at least once during the week to check the Internet in town.
Laundry can be washed by hand at any time. It is best to pack without the expectation of doing laundry. Laundry can be sent out once a week for FJ$25-$50 a load depending on weight.
Please visit Smart Traveller for an up to date report on current situations regarding visiting Fiji. Staff will alert participants if any changes to safety occur within the country.
Please consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for immunisation and other medical recommendations, based on the area(s) where you will be travelling and on your own medical history. In addition to consulting with a medical professional, please visit the following websites for country specific information around immunisations and traveller’s health. Please let us know if you have specific questions.
www.traveldoctor.com.au – The Travel Doctor
www.smartraveller.gov.au – Australian Government Travel Advice
www.cdc.gov – Centre of Disease Control (US)
International SOS is one of the world’s leading providers of medical evacuation and travel services. All travellers traveling with Schoolies Reimagined will have access to International SOS benefits through Rustic Pathways’ membership.
As a member you will have access to International SOS’s extensive travel information database to help you make informed decisions prior to travel. Additionally, all travellers who travel outside their country of residence will have access to medical evacuation support during their program.
We are a 45-minute drive away from a doctor and public hospital in the town of Nadi; 3 hours from a more advanced private hospital in the capital, Suva, and a 4-hour flight to Western-style care in New Zealand or Australia.
The Eco lodge can cater to most specific diets including but not limited to vegetarian, vegan, gluten and lactose free, as well as peanut free cooking.
Mosquitos are prevalent in Fiji and participants are expected to bring bug spray. Participants will be provided with a mosquito net over each individual bed.
AUS $100-$200 depending on the number of souvenirs, snacks and ice creams you would like.
Schoolies Reimagined works with local community leaders and organisations to identify and prioritise the needs of each community. This program will focus on various education and infrastructure initiatives.