Novel New Caledonia
New Caledonia is far from your traditional Pacific Island. While it does have the swaying palm trees
, turquoise lagoons and balmy temperatures, this fascinating country offers more than just a beautiful beach holiday.
Just a 2.5 hour flight from New Zealand, New Caledonia is our closest South Pacific neighbour, but what many people don’t know is that the closest country to New Zealand is a French territory.
Melting PotThe third largest island in the South Pacific, New Caledonia is a fascinating melting
pot that blends
Pacific and Melanesian lifestyles with a French influence that gives it a distinct European style and elegance. Amid Noumea’s sophisticated streets, you’ll find French shops, restaurants and bars; Peugeot, Renault and Citroen cars cramming the streets; French signs pointing out street directions and names; and stately mansions overlooking the harbour.
AdventureIf you’re looking for adventure, then New Caledonia can deliver that as well.
Local operators offer a range of adventure activities. You can take to the water for sea
kayaking, enjoy a moonlight paddle in the Blue River Provincial Park, go river kayaking and canyoning, take a 4WD or helicopter trip, visit a traditional Melanesian village or on the beach. Those who don’t want to hit the shops or soak up the sun on the beach can also stay active with windsurfing, kite surfing, sailing, parasailing and more!
CuisineOnce your appetite for adventure is quelled and your stomach is rumbling, you are spolit for choice when it comes to food. As in France, food is a way of life in New Caledonia. Meals are taken leisurely with friends and lovingly prepared. Restaurants in New Caledonia
are known to be some of the best in the South Pacific, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be expensive when you eat out.
Savour a seafood platter, sample a traditional French dish or opt for one of the many ethnic options such as Italian, Indian, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese. Be sure to try the national Melanesian dish of ‘Bougna’ – a base of fruit, vegetables, pork, fish, chicken and lobster cooked in coconut then wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over hot stones in an underground pit.
There are cafés aplenty, but if you don’t want to dine 
out, you can always buy fresh produce at the local seaside markets, including live crabs and freshly caught fish. Or pick up a bottle of French wine at the store, a chunk of delectable cheese and some crackers and head to the beach to watch the sun slip below the horizon.
The huge supermarkets will keep you entertained for hours – the shelves of reasonably priced French wine and selection of cheeses, pates and freshly baked bread sticks are enough to make your mouth water.
What it costs to eat, drink and get around in New Caledonia (prices in $NZ)
|
|
New Caledonia |
New Zealand |
|
Can of coke |
$3 |
$1.50 |
|
Bottle of water |
$2 |
$2.20 |
|
Milk 1 litre |
$2.25 |
$1.89 |
|
Cup of coffee |
$4 |
$3.50 |
|
Bread |
$4 |
$2 |
|
French stick |
$2 |
$2.10 |
|
Magnum ice cream |
$3 |
$2.60 |
|
Bottle of Heineken beer (shop) |
$5 |
$2.10 |
|
Bottle of Heineken beer (hotel bar) |
$10 |
$10 |
|
Bottle of wine |
$10-$30 |
$10-$30 |
|
Cooked breakfast in a hotel |
$25 |
$45 |
|
Cooked breakfast in a café |
$15 |
$20 |
|
Dinner at a hotel (for two) |
$100 |
$150 |
|
Dinner at a restaurant (for two) |
$70 |
$70 |
|
Bus into town from Anse Vata (5km) |
$4 |
$3 |
|
Taxi into town from Anse Vata (5km) |
$20 |
$14 |
Accommodation
There is something for every budget and level of comfort, from the palm thatched bungalow by the sea to overwater bungalows at luxury resorts. A popular option for self-catering is the apartment-style hotel, which allows travellers to buy local food at the markets and cook up a French feast in the comfort of their own space. The newly opened Best Western La Promenade and the Ramada Plaza are perfect for this, both complemented with their own on-site restaurants, or check out the lagoon-view apartments at NC Casa del Sole. For a taste of five-star luxury, you can stay at Noumea’s Le Meridien. On the water’s edge, the hotel offers direct access to the beach and activities at Anse Vata bay, one of the city’s best beaches. Also on Anse Vata beach is NC Nouvata Park Hotel, with its magnificient two-tiered lagoon-style swimming pool.
Getting there
Air New Zealand and Aircalin, the local airline, fly direct to Noumea four times a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Language and currency
French is the official language but English is widely spoken. The local currency is the French Pacific Franc.
Visitor Information
New Caledonia Tourism, 20 Rue Anatole France, Noumea.
Phone (687) 24 20 80
Useful Websites
Images courtesy of New Caledonia Tourism