Thurston Botanical Garden

The Thurston Garden Botanical Garden is located in the capital of Fiji, Suva. The garden was formerly known as the Suva Botanical Garden, but the name was changed in honor of the Governor of Fiji, Sir John Bates Thurston.

In 1879, Sir Thurston asked John Horne, director of the Botanical Gardens on the island of Mauritius, to visit Fiji and make recommendations for a botanical garden. The botanical garden was built on the site of the old town of Suva, which was burned down in 1843 during bloody fighting.

In Thurston Gardens is located the main attraction of Suva - the Fiji Museum. The museum was opened in 1955 by the then Governor of Fiji, Sir Ronald Garvey. Historical and archaeological exhibits from many islands of the archipelago are collected here.

In 1913, the gardens were reorganized, land drainage works were carried out, alleys of 101 royal palm trees and 39 tree ferns were planted. Nowadays, the entire territory of the park is immersed in the greenery of palm trees, and water lilies smell in reservoirs. The colorful vegetation pleases visitors to the park and for those who want to get acquainted with the flora of the island in more detail, each plant is equipped with a plate with its description.