Botanical Gardens
These lovely grounds on the hills located above the city provide a green haven for nature lovers.
Vella Lavella
Mountainous Vella Lavella is dominated by the dormant volcano Mt Tambisala and it is noted for its birdlife.
Riba Cave
An hour’s walk east of Auki is Riba Cave, with stalagmites, several large subterranean chambers and an underground river.
Vila Point
WWII Japanese relics are scattered around the island. Vila Point was an important WWII Japanese base and you can still see guns in the bush.
National Museum & Cultural Centre
This modest museum features interesting displays and old photographs on traditional dance, body ornamentation, currency, weaponry and archaeology.
Simbo island
Definitely worth a visit is Simbo island for its megapode hatcheries and its volcano that can easily be climbed. Theres also a sulphur-covered crater lake.
Lau Lagoon
This 35km-long lagoon contains more than 60 artificial islands. Theres no formal accommodation, but you can arrange your stay in a village; ask the chief.
Kwaibala Waterfall
If you need to refresh yourself, head to Kwaibala Waterfall, about 3km from Auki. Expect modest cascades with a few pools where you can take a bracing dip.
Lilisiana Beach
Lilisianas peaceful beach is a narrow, long, golden sand spit beside coral shallows. Its immediately to the north of the village and is the closest one to Auki.
Ranongga
Unfortunately the reefs off Ranongga, which were once ranked among the most spectacular in Western Province, were uplifted during the tsunami in 2007 and lost much of their appeal.
National Parliament
The conical-shaped concrete building that’s perched on the hill above Hibiscus Ave is the National Parliament. Inside, the dome boasts a rich tapestry of traditional art, including arching frescoes.
Market
Villagers from neighbouring islands (and even from the Shortland Islands) arrive each morning by boat to occupy their little stands under the shade of tall trees. It’s at its liveliest Monday and Friday mornings.
Osi Lake
Beside Lilisiana beach is Osi Lake. With its murky water, its not really a place to don your swimming kit and get wet, but its a nature-lovers paradise, home to colonies of seabirds. You might be asked to pay a kastom fee.
US War Memorial
Skyline Dr has commanding views over the town and leads to the US War Memorial, a steep 30-minute walk up from Mendana Ave. The compound has marble slabs bearing detailed descriptions of battles fought during the Guadalcanal campaign.
White River Village
Betel nut, anyone? The friendly Gilbertese settlement called White River Village about four km west of the centre is mostly famed for its betel nut market. Wooden stalls selling the much sought-after commodity are lined cheek-by-jowl along the main road.
Central Market
The country’s bubbling principal food market has a huge selection of fresh produce, especially fruits and vegetables, that come from outlying villages along the northern coast and from Savo island. Also on sale are traditional crafts. The fish market is at the back.
World Fish Centre
On Nusatupe island (Gizo’s airstrip), this clam farm and research centre is a good spot if you want to snorkel over giant clams of up to 1m long in the lagoon (bring your own gear). Boat transfers from Gizo cost about S$200, or you can take the Solomon Airlines shuttle (S$60 one-wa
Lilisiana
With its traditional-style houses raised on stilts over the shore, the friendly fishing village of Lilisiana, about 1.5km from Auki, is photogenic to boot. Lilisiana’s peaceful beach is a narrow, long, golden sand spit beside coral shallows. Beside the beach is Osi Lake , which is
Maluu
The north road leaves Auki and follows the coast from Sisifiu to Sisolo, providing lovely sea views. Long stretches of white-sand beach line the shore. The welcoming subprovincial headquarters of Maluu is an obvious stop between Auki (four hours over 82km of passable road) and Lau
Mataniko Falls
The spectacular double-sided Mataniko Falls thunder into a cave full of stalagmites, swooping swallows and bats. During WWII, the cave was a hide-out for Japanese soldiers trying to avoid capture by the Americans. The trail on the way is often steep, and you might do better with a
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