Beyond Noumea Travel Guide
Beyond Noumea accommodation, Beyond Noumea activities and attractions, Beyond Noumea maps, transportation to and around Beyond Noumea - the ALL NEW Jasons Beyond Noumea Destination Travel Guide is your complete visitor guide for Beyond Noumea.
The unspoilt beauty of The Isle of Pines has earned it a reputation as the Jewel of the Pacific, although the local people call it Kunié. About 18km long and 14km wide, the Isle of Pines was discovered and named by Captain Cook in 1774. With its beautiful beaches and bays, the Isle of Pines is an ideal place to
stay and experience the hospitable Melanesian culture, but from 1872 to 1912, the Isle of Pines had a less welcoming role as a French penal colony.
As well as its famous pine trees, the Isle of Pines has sandalwood and rosewood trees, and other plants such as wild tropical orchids, ferns and palms. Ancient rock drawings, Lapita pottery and huge bird bones discovered on the Isle of Pines date back 2000 years. Tours and excursions take visitors to the Isle of Pines main
attractions or you can hire a rental car and go exploring under your own steam.
Geographic Location
70km south-east of
Noumea. The main village is Vao.
Population
1670
Climate
Pleasant year round with an average temperature of 24°C.
December to March: Cyclone season. Cyclones are few but it is wetter and more humid in these months.
Time Zone
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 11 hours
Major Attractions
Oro Bay, The Bay of Upi and St Joseph, Church of the Assumption, Queen Hortense Cave, Kanumera and Kuto Bays, Rouleaux Bay, N’ga Peak, Gadji Beach, Penal Colony Ruins, Kanak Feasts, Boat Tours, outrigger canoe tours, scubadiving