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Options for travellers in New Caledonia are vast, from diving in pristine reefs to dining out à la français, from trekking in unspoilt rainforest to partying the night away at Club Med. With a nod to local custom and an open mind, a trip to New Caledonia will be unforgettable.

Where is New Caledonia?

New Caledonia is the third largest island in the Pacific Region after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. It is located in southern Melanesia, at a latitude of 19° - 23° south and at a longitude of 158° - 172° east.
The island is situated about 1,500 km from Australia, 1,700 km from New Zealand, 5,000 km from Tahiti, 7,000 km from Japan, 10,000 km from the West Coast of the USA and 20,000 km from France.

The Mainland

The mainland is where most people live, and which is the richest area of New Caledonia, is divided lengthwise by a range of mountains (Chaîne Centrale), the highest points of which are "Mount Panié" in the north (1,629 m) and "Mount Humboldt" in the south (1,618 m). Various species of trees can be found in these mountains.

This unusual relief, very much like a backbone, divides the Mainland into 2 very different areas:

• The East Coast, humid and open to the trade winds is a fertile, exotic land with lush tropical vegetation, green valleys, beautiful waterfalls, rivers, ... and authentic Melanesian huts along the roads.
• The West Coast, a drier, temperate zone. There are fewer coconut trees but "niaouli" trees grow by the thousands and the endemic wildlife is rich. It is "cattle country," shaped by people who live at the pace of their cattle. There is an abundance of beautiful beaches too.

Unlike its volcanic neighbors, New Caledonia is a fragment of an ancient continent which drifted away some 250 million years ago. Its flora and fauna evolved in isolation, and are now quite unique: 3500 recorded species of plants, three quarters of which occur only here; 4300 species of land animals, 1000 species of fish, 6500 species of marine invertebrates.

Five hundred kilometers long, fifty kilometers wide, New Caledonia offers an endless variety of landscapes, from some of the best white sand beaches in the Pacific to spectacular mountain retreats.

Surrounded by a 1,600 km long coral reef, New Caledonia also boasts the largest lagoon in the world. The reef can be as close as a few kilometers from the coast in some places and as far as 65 km in others - with an average depth of 40 m.

The Territory of New Caledonia consists of the Mainland, the Isle of Pines to the south of the Mainland, the Loyalty Islands to the east of the Mainland (Maré, Lifou, Tiga and Ouvéa), the Belep Archipelago in the north west and numerous islands and islets: Huon & Surprise, Chesterfield, Walpole, Beautemps-Beaupré, Astrolabe, and the Bellona reef, ... a total surface of 19,000 sq km (16,372 sq km for the Mainland alone, which is 400 km long).


LOCATION:
New Caledonia is the third largest island in the Pacific Region, after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.  The island is situated about 1,500 Km's from Australia.

CLIMATE:
New Caledonia experiences a warm semi tropical climate year round.  The coolest months are generally April - August with the warmer, more humid temperatures experienced between September and March.  Tropical rainfall tends to be the lowest in the months of March, June, October and November. 
April - November 20-24 degrees.
December - March 25-26 degrees.

WHEN TO GO:
Go whenever you can seize the chance but for the best weather, festivals and sporting contests, make it between May and mid-December. For walking or trekking, narrow it down to the cold season, June to August, when water temperatures drop to 21°C (70°F) and the air is cooler.

FESTIVALS:
The Avocado Festival is held in mid to late-May, the three-day Foire de Bourail from late-August to early September, and the Équinoxe in October. If you're a diver, don't miss the riot of colour that accompanies the coral spawning in early summer. If you're nervous about cyclones or mosquitoes you might consider staying home between November and April.

LANGUAGE:
French (Official)

CURRENCY:
French Pacific Franc (XPF)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Australian passport holders must have a valid passport with at least 6months validity beyong their stay in New Caledonia.

ELECTRICITY:
220V 50HzHz.  European plug with two circular metal pins

GETTING AROUND:
Air Calédonie domestic services serve several towns on Grande Terre, each of the Loyalty Islands and Île des Pins.  The road network on Grande Terre is extensive and all the main roads are sealed, and nearly every major town or large village is connected by bus, leaving from Noumea's bus station (gare routière). Car rental companies are based in Noumea, Île des Pins and on each of the Loyalty Islands. Their rates are reasonable and none will rent to anyone under 21. Animals and pedestrians on secondary roads can make driving hazardous in some areas, particularly at night. There is also a ferry service between Noumea and the Loyalty Islands and Île des Pins.