SOLOMON ISLANDS
Honiara
Honiara, the capital of
the Solomon Islands,
which is situated on
Guadalcanal, has a
population of more than
30,000 and is located on a
coastal stretch overlooking
Iron Bottom Sound.
The town centre has a shopping plaza,
cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops.
There's a Chinatown and of course the
Central Markets. Major meeting places
can be found in private clubs that welcome
visitors.
One of the most spectacular waterfalls in
the South Pacific is Mataniko Falls, a twohour walk from Honiara. It has many large
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pools for swimming and an impressive
stalagmite-covered cave which is home to
vast numbers of swallows.
Climb Mount Austin, passing Solomon
Peace Memorial Park, for sweeping views
of the northern coastal plains. Other
historic sites include the Red Beach on the
coastal plain. East of Tenaru is the Tenaru
Falls, an impressive 60–metre waterfall.
And situated in a westerly direction
from Honiara town is Bonigi Beach, five
kilometres west of Poha.
At the eastern end of Guadalcanal is Marau
Sound, a coral paradise. Here there are
huge reefs of coral in unique and beautiful
shapes which are home to a teeming
array of tropical fish and fascinating sea
life. There are also giant clams and some
of the world's rarest sea shells.
About 250 kilometres south of
Guadalcanal is Rennell Island. On the
south side of the island, the large Lake
Te'Nggano contains some 200 tiny
coral atolls and is home to a prolific bird
population. Access to the lake is by
tractor, canoe and jungle walk.
The Florida Islands are the closest island
group to Guadalcanal and was the prewar Solomon capital of Tulagi. It was
turned into a navy shipbuilding and repair
facility during the war.
Savo Island is a cloud-shrouded place,
and its waters house the graves of at least
four ships that were sunk during the Battle
of Savo. Today it is an ideal picnic spot
and a divers' paradise with its sunken
ships, sleepy villages and magnificent
crystal clear waters.
