Travel Guide: New Caledonia
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| New Caledonia |
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| map of New Caledonia (source - lonelyplanet.com) |
By Sea
Cruise ship - All cruise ships dock at the Gare Maritime on Quai Jûles Ferry in Noumea. They also drop anchor at various spots around New Caledonia where they shuttle their passengers ashore to spend a day on the beach. Pacific Sun, Pacific Star and Pacific Princess (departing Sydney) are the most regular visitors.
Boat - The passenger and cargo boat Havannah sails to Port Vila, Malicolo and Santo in Vanuatu once a month.
By Air
Airports & airlines - All international flights land at Tontouta International Airport, 45km northwest of Noumea. The following major airlines fly into New Caledonia. Air France flies code-share with Air Calédonie International (Aircalin). Air France Air New Zealand, Air Vanuatu, Aircalin, Qantas
if flying from Asia - Osaka and Tokyo are the only Asian cities directly connected with New Caledonia. Aircalin flies from Japan to New Caledonia for around US$1000.
if flying from Australasia - In Australia, Qantas and Aircalin flights leave from Brisbane (three flights a week) and Sydney (daily). A return excursion fare from Sydney/Brisbane starts at US$400/350. There are four flights per week between Auckland and Noumea, either with Air New Zealand or Aircalin. The 90-day return excursion fare starts at US$400.
if flying from Europe - Qantas and Air New Zealand fly from Europe; France to New Caledonia with Qantas costs from US$1600. Aircalin, code sharing with KLM/Air France/Cathay Pacific/Singapore Airlines, flies a more direct route via Japan for around US$1500.
if flying from North America - The main gateway to New Caledonia from North America is Los Angeles or New York via Tahiti. You can fly with Air France or Air Tahiti Nui to Tahiti (US$1200), where you can connect with an Aircalin flight to Noumea. Air New Zealand flies via Auckland (US$1000) or Qantas via Sydney (US$1200). Another option is to fly with Air Pacific from Los Angeles to Noumea via Nadi. The price is in the same range.
if flying from Pacific - Aircalin flies to Nadi (Fiji) once or twice a week (US$590 return) and to Faa'a airport in Pape'ete (French Polynesia) once a week (US$650 return). You can fly between Port Vila (Vanuatu) and Noumea several times a week (from US$300 return) with Aircalin or Air Vanuatu. Twice a week, Aircalin flies to Hihifo on Wallis Island (Wallis and Futuna), with a possible connection flight to Vele on Futuna. The return fare for either is around US$600.
if flying from South America - Use an Aircalin flight to Tahiti and connect with a LAN flight to Santiago, via Easter Island. Or fly with Qantas via Sydney. A return ticket costs around US$1400.
Cruise ship - All cruise ships dock at the Gare Maritime on Quai Jûles Ferry in Noumea. They also drop anchor at various spots around New Caledonia where they shuttle their passengers ashore to spend a day on the beach. Pacific Sun, Pacific Star and Pacific Princess (departing Sydney) are the most regular visitors.
Boat - The passenger and cargo boat Havannah sails to Port Vila, Malicolo and Santo in Vanuatu once a month.
By Air
Airports & airlines - All international flights land at Tontouta International Airport, 45km northwest of Noumea. The following major airlines fly into New Caledonia. Air France flies code-share with Air Calédonie International (Aircalin). Air France Air New Zealand, Air Vanuatu, Aircalin, Qantas
if flying from Asia - Osaka and Tokyo are the only Asian cities directly connected with New Caledonia. Aircalin flies from Japan to New Caledonia for around US$1000.
if flying from Australasia - In Australia, Qantas and Aircalin flights leave from Brisbane (three flights a week) and Sydney (daily). A return excursion fare from Sydney/Brisbane starts at US$400/350. There are four flights per week between Auckland and Noumea, either with Air New Zealand or Aircalin. The 90-day return excursion fare starts at US$400.
if flying from Europe - Qantas and Air New Zealand fly from Europe; France to New Caledonia with Qantas costs from US$1600. Aircalin, code sharing with KLM/Air France/Cathay Pacific/Singapore Airlines, flies a more direct route via Japan for around US$1500.
if flying from North America - The main gateway to New Caledonia from North America is Los Angeles or New York via Tahiti. You can fly with Air France or Air Tahiti Nui to Tahiti (US$1200), where you can connect with an Aircalin flight to Noumea. Air New Zealand flies via Auckland (US$1000) or Qantas via Sydney (US$1200). Another option is to fly with Air Pacific from Los Angeles to Noumea via Nadi. The price is in the same range.
if flying from Pacific - Aircalin flies to Nadi (Fiji) once or twice a week (US$590 return) and to Faa'a airport in Pape'ete (French Polynesia) once a week (US$650 return). You can fly between Port Vila (Vanuatu) and Noumea several times a week (from US$300 return) with Aircalin or Air Vanuatu. Twice a week, Aircalin flies to Hihifo on Wallis Island (Wallis and Futuna), with a possible connection flight to Vele on Futuna. The return fare for either is around US$600.
if flying from South America - Use an Aircalin flight to Tahiti and connect with a LAN flight to Santiago, via Easter Island. Or fly with Qantas via Sydney. A return ticket costs around US$1400.
Famous Tourist spots in New Caledonia:
- Tjibaou Arts and Cultural Centre in Noumea.
- Amedee Lighthouse
- Isle of Pines - 80 km to the south-east of Noumea is a spellbinding island: the Isle of Pines. A timeless place with an extraordinarily mellow lifestyle, wonderful beaches known as the Oceanic Eden.
- Bourail and the Roche Percee
- Yate and the Blue River Park