Government Buildings, Suva

The Government Buildings form an administrative complex housing Parliament, law courts, and government departments across multiple levels. The most striking feature is the clock tower with glazed tiles that rises above the structure and dominates the surrounding skyline.

The complex opened in 1939 following designs by architect Walter Frederick Hedges, replacing wooden structures that had been moved from Levuka, the former capital. This relocation established Suva as the new center of government administration in the region.

Two statues at the entrance honor important Fijian leaders: Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau and Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna. These monuments mark the nation's political identity and are among the first things visitors notice when arriving at the complex.

The buildings are open to visitors on weekdays during regular business hours, and you can observe parliamentary sessions when the legislature meets in the main chamber. Check the session schedule in advance to time your visit when proceedings are taking place.

The site once occupied a sugar mill area called 'The Crusher' before transforming into a major administrative hub for the South Pacific. This remarkable shift shows how the location evolved from industrial operations to a center of political power.