Thurston Gardens

The indigenous Suva people moved from their old hill forts and built the town of Suva on the site of the present Thurston Gardens. This probably occurred before 1820 under Tabukaucoro’s reign (he was the Tui Suva and Vasu to Bau). There was a moat and rampart then, now no longer visible. Most of the houses were erected for protection inside the ramparts, but some were in the outskirts on the rising ground (then known as Nabuabua) and where the present Government House stands (then known as Korobaba).

Suva was sacked and burnt in a tribal war during Tabukaucoro’s reign.

A Botanical Garden was built near Waimanu Road at the request of Sir John Bates Thurston, Fiji’s fifth British Colonial Governor.

Europeans moved the indigenous inhabitants of Suva to Suvavou (“New Suva”) to make way for the transfer of the capital from Levuka.

The garden was moved to the current location and was named Suva Botanical Garden. The layout was reorganised, with drains laid underground and an avenue of 101 royal palms and 39 tree ferns planted.

The clock tower and band stand were constructed in 1918. It was built by Henry Marks & Company Ltd. in memory of G.J. Marks, the first mayor of Suva.

The Trustees of the Museum requested the Government to provide funding for the construction of a museum building in the Botanical Garden area.

Funds were approved and the new building was constructed by Narain Construction Co. Ltd. and was completed in August 1954. The transfer and rearrangement of the collection took several months.  It was officially opened in 1955.

The Gardens were renamed Thurston Gardens in memory of Sir John Bates Thurston.

The Fiji Museum is currently maintaining the gardens. Spread throughout the grounds are varieties of palms, gingers, water lilies and other local flora.