New Caledonia, "an original land", is lulled by the tradewinds. Here lovers can enjoy the pleasures of a unique destination, a mixture of oceanic traditions and French culture.
New Caledonia has a wide range of accommodation ranging from 5 star hotels to camping grounds, as well as tribal homestays, guesthouses, refuges and a youth hostel.
Nouméa - the starting point
In the capital, Nouméa, you will experience the charm and gentility of the town's colonial houses, surrounded by gardens with exotic fragrances, its sandy white beaches bordered by coconut palms : the Anse Vata, the Baie des Citrons. You can also escape to paradisical islands (Amédée Lighthouse, Duck islet, îlot Maître, Signal islet…).
For intimate dinners, Nouméa has a wide range of flavours to choose from, influenced by its different ethnic groups which live together in harmony.
Not to be missed :
- The Little Tourist Trains which wind their way through Nouméa and operate several tours with commentaries enabling you to explore and admire residential areas, views and the downtown area with la place des cocotiers…Theme tours regularly take place such as the Christmas lights and a romantic evening for Valentine’s Day.
- The Nouméa Aquarium provides a window onto the New Caledonian lagoon. A half-hour visit is need to discover the underwater world of the world's biggest lagoon. Within the aquarium is a magnificent window of fluorescent coral.
- The Zoological and Forest Park is a botanical garden with rare essences which includes an extensive collection of endemic birds such as the Ouvéa parrot and the notou, amongst others. It is here that the emblem of New Caledonia, the cagou, can most easily be found. It is a flightless bird which makes a barking sound.
- The Tjibaou Cultural Centre has been built just 10 minutes from downtown on the Tina pensinsula. Designed by Renzo PIANO, the ideas man behind the Georges Pompidou Centre (Paris), this place links the past with the present and is an invitation to experience Kanak culture through exhibitions and shows. A walk around the gardens is a must to follow the Kanak path and admire the centre's architecture.
- An hour's boat trip away is the Amédée Lighthouse, where a happy troop of dancers welcomes visitors. Climbing the 247 steps of the Amédée Lighthouse is rewarded with a view to take your breath away. A glass bottom boat ride around the marine reserve which borders the islet allows you to admire a multitude of fish and corals. Lunch is served in the shade of the bouraos and is followed by a paréo tying demonstration.
- The underwater trail on Duck islet will suit those who want to observe fish and coral at their own pace, equipped only with fins, a mask and snorkel. Nouméa and its surroundings offer a wide range of sea excursions.
- Helicopter : the flight over the lagoon and its sights (The Amédée Lighthouse, the islets of the South and the coral reef) to discover the beauties of the Great South (the primary forest of Mont Koghi and Mont Dore between the red earth and turqouise waters)
- Limousine ride
- A day on one of Nouméa's nearby islets (Signal, Lareignère…) which provide a complete change of scene, only a few minutes from Nouméa.
- If you're looking for a romantic weekend on an islet, l’îlot Maître opposite Nouméa have a comfortable hotel within a marine reserve.
- In the deep south, New Caledonia is at its most sublime with The Blue River Park, the Madeleine Falls, Yaté and Port Boisé.
- A romantic dinner to sample local produce cooked in the French way or prepared with traditional local recipes : prawns, lobster, crab, crayfish, yams, papaya, litchi, mangoes, pineapple….
Not to be missed in the bush :
- The New Caledonian cowboys enjoy helping people to experience their environment : the "Bush". They lead horse treks ranging from a few hours to several days such as the mountain range crossing which takes three days. On the programme is : exploring New Caledonian nature, camping in the forest, meals around a campfire.
- On a cattle station, the stockmen demonstrate herding the cattle and there is a lunch with local specialities : kebabs or venison sausage, creek prawns accompanied by some songs and guitar music.
The East coast
Dotted with green valleys bathed in rivers and undulating waterfalls, you will enter the Melanesian world and a tropical universe where cagous and notous live in huge forests filled with arborescent ferns, palm trees and ancient Kauris.
No to be missed :
- A tribal visit in the north.
- A canoe trip to admire the magnificent Hienghne rocks.
- A swim in the rivers or waterfalls of Bâ or Tao.
The Isle of Pines
Kunié, more commonly known as the Isle of Pines, whose beauty is renowned beyond the Pacific, will take you to paradise on double hulled canoes steered through the wind by strong men to pristine beaches with cristal clear waters, where deserted islets appear bathed in sun. The Wapan dancers dressed in traditional costume will enthral you with the grace of their incantatory dances.
Not to be missed :
- A swim in the Oro natural pool whose landscape looks like a painting by one of the masters with its splendid white sand beaches and a natural pool chiselled out from coral and surrounded by column pines endemic to New Caledonia. This is a real aquarium with thousands of fish and coral of sparkling colours.
- A tour by canoe of Upi bay. On the programme : exploring blocks of coral resting on the turqoise lagoon and a stop on a deserted island with white sand beaches to savour green coconut milk. A swim is highly recommended.
- The tour of the Isle of Pines by yacht. The island has several bays offering the most extraordinary moorings in the Pacific.
- The summit of Pic N’Ga is accessible after an hour's walk and has a very beautiful panoramic view of the whole island.
- Divers will be delighted to explore such well-known sites as : the Gadji caves, "les tombants de l’îlot Gié" and for the best informed people, a freshwater cave amongst stalactites and stalagmites.
- A bougna feast (a traditional feast comprising fish or chicken cooked in coconut milk with bananas, tomatoes, yams and taro) or a barbecued lobster on a deserted beach.
The Loyalty Islands
In their Pacific Ocean jewellery box, the Loyalty Islands, these pearls, are not easy to get to but will leave you with unforgettable memories. Here you will discover the true Melanesian world.
Not to be missed :
- Walks on deserted islands with white sand.
- Underwater dives in a pristine environment where the colour nuances of the sea go from pure blue to emerald.
- Sampling the traditional Melanesian dish (le bougna) in a tribe.
- Deep-sea fishing in the biggest lagoon in the world.
Bibliography
| « Nouvelle-Calédonie » | Editions du Pacifique (M. HOSKEN, B. HERMANN, B. SAUDEAU) |
|---|---|
| « La cuisine calédonienne » | Editions du cagou (Paulette MASACHS) |
| « Guide des plantes du chemin kanak » | ADCK |
| « Nouvelle-Calédonie » | Editions Hachette Calédonie |
| « L’élevage » | Editions Planète Mémo |
| « Spécialités de Nouvelle-Calédonie » | Editions du Cagou |
| « Café de Nouvelle-Calédonie » | Editions Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes |