Must-see attractions in Guadalcanal

  • Fish for sale at central market.

    Central Market

    Honiara

    While Honiara won't be mistaken for Lagos, the country’s bubbling principal food market covers a whole block between Mendana Ave and the seafront. It has…

  • Bonegi

    Guadalcanal

    About 12km west from Honiara, Bonegi is music to the ears of divers, snorkellers and sunbathers. Two large Japanese freighters sank just offshore on the…

  • Vilu War Museum

    Guadalcanal

    About 25km from Honiara, a turn to the south from the coastal road brings you to this great open-air museum. Here there are US, Japanese, Australian,…

  • US War Memorial

    Honiara

    This superb memorial is a five-minute taxi ride from the centre. The well-maintained compound has marble slabs bearing detailed descriptions of battles…

  • WWII Museum

    Guadalcanal

    A few metres before reaching the shore of Tetere Beach, a dirt track to the west leads to 30 or more abandoned amtracks (amphibious troop carriers). Many…

  • Bloody Ridge

    Guadalcanal

    From Henderson airport, a track leads south to this area that's also called Edson's Ridge, after Edson's Raiders. Commanded by Colonel Merritt Edson, they…

  • Tenaru Waterfalls

    Guadalcanal

    At 63m, these waterfalls are spectacular. They are a fairly easy four-hour walk (return) from a tiny settlement about 2km south of Tenaru Village. It's…

  • Solomon Peace Memorial Park

    Guadalcanal

    The road to Mt Austen begins in Kukum and climbs up to the historical sites where Japanese troops doggedly resisted the US advance. About 3.5km from the…

  • Betikama SDA Mission

    Guadalcanal

    In Betikama village, this sprawling property comprises a small WWII museum with an outdoor collection of salvaged material (mostly US aircraft) as well as…

  • National Museum

    Honiara

    This modest museum – there is only one room – features interesting displays and old photographs on traditional dance, body ornamentation, currency,…

  • Henderson Airport Memorial Gardens

    Guadalcanal

    A small memorial outside the airport entrance honours US forces and their Pacific islander allies. In front is a Japanese anti-aircraft gun. About 100m to…

  • White River Village

    Honiara

    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…

  • Sherman Tank

    Guadalcanal

    Just across the road from Bonegi beach, there’s a bush track that heads inland and runs about 400m to a rusty US Sherman tank called Jezebel which was…

  • Mount Austen

    Guadalcanal

    The clearing at the summit of Mt Austen (410m) offers a marvellous view northeas over Henderson. Americans in WWII dubbed this spot Grassy Knoll. There’s…

  • Visale

    Guadalcanal

    About 40km from Honiara is this timeless hamlet blessed with a majestic setting – it's wedged between the sea and a soaring, velvet-green hill. Soak up…

  • National Parliament

    Honiara

    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…

  • Holy Cross Catholic Cathedral

    Honiara

    Honiara's most prominent religious building is this cathedral perched on a hill to the east of the centre. Visitors are welcome to attend, but make sure…

  • Lela Beach

    Guadalcanal

    Popular with locals and expats at weekends, this beach has black sand and is OK for swimming and bathing.

  • Botanical Gardens

    Honiara

    These lovely grounds on the hills located above the city provide a green haven for nature lovers.

  • Turtle Beach

    Guadalcanal

    Turtle Beach is an appealing strip of white coral sand fringed with coconut trees.

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