NEW CALEDONIA Eclectic
BY LAURA GELDER With the cuisine and sophistication of France and the typical lush, tropical scenery of a Pacific paradise island, New Caledonia is a destination that should fit the bill for most holidaymakers. The Islands are located in the South
Pacific, just a two-hour flight to Sydney, Brisbane or Auckland, with the closest neighbouring country being Vanuatu. There are actually five islands to visit. The capital Noumea is on the main island of Grande Terre. Ile Ouvea, Ile Lifou and Ile Mare are a short flight away and Ile des Pins lies just off the southern tip of the main island, a boat or plane ride away. New Caledonia’s main island is often described as a microcosm of Australia. Its south has rich red earth contrasting with the blue sea and green forests; the
west coast is characterised by long sand beaches, mangroves and vast plains and savannahs, where French cowboys roam; and the east coast is more tropical, with waterfalls and Melanesian culture prevalent. The three Loyalty Islands, a 20 to 30
minute flight from the main island, each has their own character. The largest, Ile Lifou, is a great stop for visitors who are interested in the indigenous culture of New Caledonia. The culture of the Kanak people is alive and undisturbed in all the Loyalty Islands but here visitors can arrange homestays to truly understand it. Ile Ouvea is an ancient coral atoll with miles of white sand beaches undisturbed by mass tourism. And lastly, Ile de Mare is a quieter retreat, best-suited for those who wish
“New Caledonia is often described as a microcosm of australia: rich red earth contrasting with the blue sea and green forests, white sand beaches, mangroves and vast plains and savannahs”
48 May 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
NEW CALEDONIA Top Selling Tips...
• Bird’s eye view... Take a helicopter flight above the mangroves to see the ‘Heart of Voh’ a spectacular natural phenomenon where the mangroves have grown to create a heart-shaped design
• Whale of a time... Between July and September whale watching tours are a must-do in New Caledonia
• Luxury pampering... Noumea and Ile des Pins have three to five-star hotels that include spas or Thalasso centres
• Party time... Most Noumea nightclubs are situated next to the city’s two most beautiful beaches and play a choice of disco, reggae, zouk, R&B, techno, drum & bass or French pop
General information
TIME ZONE: +11 GMT CuRReNCy: CFP Franc (French Pacific Franc), which is pegged to the Euro LANGUAGE: French PoPuLaTIoN: 250,000 CLIMATE: The ‘land of eternal spring’ has an average year-round temperature of 23C. The best months are September to November or April to June VISa: No visa is required for stays of up to three months for UK citizens geTTINg THeRe: National carrier Air Calin International flies to Australia and New Zealand’s main cities as well as Pacific hubs like Fiji, Polynesia and Vanuatu. The fastest connection to London is via Japan and Korea, with Air Calin’s partners Air France-KLM group. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Air Austral offer different connections. Three other South Pacific airlines, working with Air Calin, offer the Discover South Pacific Pass, combining different Pacific Islands. MoRe INFo:
info-par@nctps.com;
www.newcaledonia-tv.com;
www.visitnewcaledonia.com
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